Martinez scores in 11th straight match

Josef Martinez scored in his 11th consecutive MLS match on Monday night as Atlanta United topped the Portland Timbers in an MLS Cup rematch.The Venezuelan striker scored in the 46th minute of Sunday night’s match at Mercedez-Benz Stadium, netting his 16th goal in that 11-game span.Martinez’s finish came on an assist from Julian Gressell, who found the striker at the top of the box, where he was able to fire up and over goalkeeper Steve Clarke to all but seal the 2-0 victory. Article continues below Editors’ Picks Emery out of jail – for now – as brilliant Pepe papers over Arsenal’s cracks What is Manchester United’s ownership situation and how would Kevin Glazer’s sale of shares affect the club? Ox-rated! Dream night in Genk for Liverpool ace after injury nightmare Messi a man for all Champions League seasons – but will this really be Barcelona’s? He won’t stop! 😡That’s 11 straight MLS games with a goal for @JosefMartinez17. #PORvATL pic.twitter.com/P2oYF2ejlP— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 19, 2019The forward’s finish was preceded by a first-half goal from Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, who was able to fire home from close range following a set-piece scramble.With Monday’s goal, Martinez set the MLS record for most consecutive matches with a goal, a record previously held by Diego Valeri and matched by Martinez himself last season.After firing 19 goals in 20 games in his debut campaign, the forward ended up scoring 31 total goals last season, an MLS record, while earning Most Valuable Player honors en route to Atlanta’s MLS Cup triumph over the Timbers in just their second season.This season, Martinez has scored 21 goals in 23 games, good for second-best in the league behind Los Angeles Football Club star Carlos Vela.The Mexican forward is on a record-setting pace as well, having scored 24 goals while providing 15 assists to break Sebastian Giovinco’s record for most goal contributions in one season with nine games remaining in the MLS season.With Monday’s win, Atlanta United sits atop the Eastern Conference, level on points with the Philadelphia Union despite having played one fewer match.Atlanta also has the Union on goal differential, having scored 15 more goals than they’ve conceded compared to the Union’s eight.New York City FC also remains in the mix, sitting four points back of the two leaders with two games in hand on Atlanta.Next up for the defending MLS Cup champions is a match with Orlando City on Friday before the attention turns towards the U.S. Open Cup finale against Minnesota United.The Five Stripes have already won a trophy this season, having topped Club America 3-2 in the Campeones Cup last week.