Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you already know the headline from Sunday’s crucial 3-1 win over Columbus. Josef Martinez’s opening strike was his 27th of the year, tying the record for most goals in an MLS season. But as Tata Martino always says, it takes a team to make a goal –– and this one was all started by a crucial interception from Julian Gressel.
“I just saw the play develop, and I knew I had to tuck in,” Gressel said. “The guy didn’t see me coming, and I just cut in front of him, and it was a clear counterattack. I gave the ball to Josef and then, I made a run myself and he either gives it back to me or scores it.”
Just like that, Martinez pulled even with the history books with a stunning opening finish. In classic Josef style, he wasn’t ready to celebrate after the match –– he’s just hungry for more.
“I mean, I tied it, but what I really want is to break it,” he said through a translator after the match. “Once I break it, I’ll be even more happy. When I get to 28 I’ll have something.”
But his team took notice, and was more than happy to heap on the praise.
“He’s one of the best ever in the MLS,” said Michael Parkhurst. “There’s no denying it. The track record speaks for itself. It’s incredible, it really is. The fact that that record has stood for as long as it has, and he’s crushing it in his first full season.“
“I offer my congratulations to Josef because it's a very important achievement for him,” added Tata Martino, through a translator. “I think it's like a weight off of his shoulders, now that he's tied the record everything that comes after this is extra."
“You can’t score goals without teammates and good support and crosses and things like that, but let’s take nothing away from what he’s done and what he’s accomplished,” Parkhurst said. “Even tonight, Julian (Gressel) does a great play to create the counter attack, but from there there’s still 40 yards to go, and he does it by himself and a fantastic finish with his left foot. He can just score in such a variety of ways. He’s a special player.”
But Martinez played down his personal accomplishment, pointing to three valuable points and the important contributions of his fellow goalscorers.
“It was a difficult result,” he said. “It was a team who’s very tough. I think they’re one of the best teams in the league. They showed that again today, so I’m really happy for the win. Then, obviously, I’m happy Miguel got the goal. I think that’s important for him and I’m happy for Tito as well.”
“[Miguel] has been feeling some of the pressure, so I was happy for him,” he added. “I think it’s important for him to have the patience and perseverance to get that goal. And I think it’s one of the best goals I’ve seen Tito score, or anyone score. From the point where he takes the ball and makes that run and just out-sprints everybody for the goal.”
And while his teammates were a little more generous with their compliments in his direction, they have bigger aspirations than just equaling the history books.
“I’m happy for him that he tied the record,” Tito Villalba said through a translator. “I want him to keep going. I want him to keep scoring goals and for the team to keep having success.”
The team will look to build on that success on the road this weekend as they travel south to face Orlando City to kick off a four-match road streak. It’s a crucial run that will play a big factor in where the team ends up in the standings come the end of the season.
