Atlanta United will play the remainder of its MLS season without Josef Martinez because it placed the striker on the season-ending injury list Friday.
Martinez, the league MVP and Golden Boot winner in 2018, suffered a torn ACL in the season-opening game at Nashville on Feb. 29. The move means that Martinez is no longer capable of playing for the team in any competition this season. It also shouldn’t be a surprise because President Darren Eales and Vice President Carlos Bocanegra have many times said they didn’t expect Martinez back until next season.
Placing Martinez on the season-ending list opened a slot on Atlanta United’s roster that could be used to sign another player, as long as that player’s salary is less than $250,000, and in a corresponding move Friday, the club signed Erick Torres of Tijuana in LIGA MX.
“Josef’s rehab is progressing well and is going to plan; however, it was important for us to make this move as it gives us roster relief and flexibility for the rest of the 2020 season,” Bocanegra said in a statement. “We will miss his ability and leadership on the field this season, but we look forward to having him back at the start of preseason next year.”
Martinez is one of the best strikers in MLS history with 77 goals in 84 appearances. He was acquired on a loan and a few months later purchased by the club in 2017 from Torino, which plays in Italy’s Serie A.
Without Martinez, Atlanta United hasn’t scored in its past four games, losing each.
Eales implied Thursday that Atlanta United could make the funds available to add a signing.
Martinez’s rehab does seem to be doing well. He consistently posts videos on his social media accounts of his progress. One yesterday showed him lightly kicking a ball with his right leg against a bounce-back device.
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