There's been no season like it. Josef Martinez's 31 goals this year not only topped the league, it surpassed the MLS history books as the best goalscoring season of all time. But behind that record-breaking tally are plenty of smaller numbers that tell the story of his unprecedented success. Here are the most important numbers for the season:
100%
There’s no doubt that Josef Martinez was lethal inside the penalty box. In fact, every one of this 31 goals this year came from inside the 18 yard box.
93.5
Not only was Josef the top scorer, no one was more efficient when they were on the field. He scored every 93.5 minutes in the league this year, the best minutes per goal ratio in MLS.
37
Josef didn’t just knock them in, he provided as well. His 37 combined goals and assists this season were just one behind the highest total ever, Sebastian Giovinco’s MVP season in 2015.
31
The biggest number of them all, 31 goals for the season is something that has never been done before. 27 was the best-ever season before this one, putting Josef 4 ahead of his closest competition all-time.
23
When Josef thrived, Atlanta United thrived. 23 of Martinez’s goals came in wins this year, and 17 of them broke a deadlocked score.
19
Atlanta United always starts a match hot, but Josef kept that heat going through the final whistle. 19 of his 31 goals came in the second half of matches.
16
Home or away, it didn’t matter to Josef Martinez this season. He scored 16 goals at home this year, only one more than the 15 he scored at home in 2018.
10
Don’t let anyone say Josef Martinez’s goals are stat-padding or inconsequential. His 10 game-winning goals leads the league this season and ranks second all-time, only behind Chris Wondolowski’s 11 game-winning goals back in 2012. 10 was also how many goals came via his head, the most in Major League Soccer this season. Despite his stature, his incredible vertical leap has made him the premier aerial threat in MLS.
7
As head coach Tata Martino often points out, scoring is more than a one-man job, and Josef has gotten plenty of help in reaching the milestone. Leading the way as the top assister this season for Josef Martinez was Julian Gressel, who pitched in 7 assists, followed by 5 from Tito Villalba.
3
The goal king was also the hat trick king. Josef hit three hat tricks this season, bringing his career MLS total to 6, the most in MLS history, in just two seasons.
