MLS
Josef Martínez takes control for Inter Miami in MLS 2023
Back-to-back victories for David Beckham’s team and the Venezuelan scorer made history in the North American league.
One of the Major League Season franchises that is rather used to going through ups and downs in performance is David Beckham’s Inter Miami, a team that started the 2023 season on a high note but then inexplicably fell apart. On Saturday, however, there was another uptick as they strung back-to-back victories again by defeating Atlanta United in Week 11... and Josef Martínez was key in guiding them to a triumph in Florida.
Against a team much higher in the standings so far in MLS 2023 this was a tough test, but Inter Miami stood up to those led by Thiago Almada (2-1) at the DRV PNK Stadium to move to tenth place in the Eastern Conference with 12 points so far. They are only three above bottom placed NY Red Bull.
Leading the way for Miami was Josef Martínez, who appeared inspired by facing the team that gave him the opportunity in the MLS, and where he became the top scorer by reaching 111 goals in all competitions that he played across MLS, Concacaf Champions League, US Open Cup and Champions Cup.
Martínez reaches 100
Although in the MLS Playoffs Martínez scored five goals with those from the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, this Saturday he became the fastest player to reach 100 regular season goals, doing so in just 142 appearances. His brace against his former team also takes the pressure off him as it was the first time he had scored for Miami since joining in January.
Josef Martínez's annotations
It was a tense encounter for the locals due to the need to win again at home, but the striker of the Venezuelan national team revealed himself as a net breaker for Inter Miami from the penalty spot in the 59th minute, sliding his shot to the left of goalkeeper Quentin Westberg and light up the DRV PNK Stadium.
The second goal came on 79′, after lovely play from the right wing by DeAndre Yedlin, who threaded a ball into Martínez to double his tally. The game was complicated after the sending off of Franco Negri and Atlanta’s consolation goal in added-on time, but Beckham’s franchise picked up the three valuable points.