MLS Golden Boot Winner Martinez Among Global Scoring Elite
October 28, 2018 - Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release
NEW YORK - Atlanta United forward Josef Marti-nez tonight won the 2018 Major League Soccer Golden Boot, establishing himself among the global game's scoring elite, with a record-breaking 31 goals this season. The 25-year-old Venezuelan, has showcased his world-class striking ability, reaching the 30-goal mark faster than any other player in the world this season.
The 31 goals tallied by Marti-nez has surpassed global scoring icons Cristiano Ronaldo (26, Real Madrid), Robert Lewandowski (29, Bayern Munich), and Harry Kane (30, Tottenham Hotspur). His league production ranks right alongside the reigning Golden Boot winners from both the English Premier League (Mo Salah - 32 goals for Liverpool) and La Liga (Lionel Messi - 34 goals for FC Barcelona).
With a goals-per-game average of .912, Martinez finished the season ahead of Mo Salah (.889) and in near reach of Messi's per-match production (.944).
Among MLS greats, Marti-nez scored at record pace to reach the previous 27-goal record in only 25 games - faster than any other player in league history. The trio of Roy Lassiter (1996, Tampa Bay Mutiny), Chris Wondolowski (2012, San Jose Earthquakes), and Bradley Wright-Phillips (2014, New York Red Bulls) all formerly held the mark, which the Atlanta striker tied on Aug. 19 and broke on Aug. 24.
Adding an MLS career hat trick record to his accolades, MartÃnez netted his sixth hat trick on July 21.
As a star among stars, MartÃnez also was named to the MLS Fan XI that faced Italian giants Juventus in the 2018 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target. Playing on his home field, MartÃnez scored a crucial first goal in the match as a standout among the league's best.
Major League Soccer Golden Boot/Scoring Champion winners
Season Player Team Goals/Points (G/A)
2018 Josef Martinez Atlanta Untied 31 goals
2017 Nemanja Nikolic Chicago Fire 24 goals
2016 Bradley Wright-Phillips New York Red Bulls 24 goals
2015 Sebastian Giovinco Toronto FC 22 goals
2014 Bradley Wright-Phillips New York Red Bulls 27 goals
2013 Camilo Sanvezzo Vancouver Whitecaps FC 22 goals
2012 Chris Wondolowski San Jose Earthquakes 27 goals
2011 Dwayne De Rosario D.C. United 16 goals
2010 Chris Wondolowski San Jose Earthquakes 18 goals
2009 Jeff Cunningham FC Dallas 17 goals
2008 Landon Donovan Los Angeles Galaxy 20 goals
2007 Luciano Emilio D.C. United 20 goals
2006 Jeff Cunningham Real Salt Lake 16 goals
2005 Taylor Twellman New England Revolution 17 goals
2004 Amado Guevara MetroStars 30 (10g, 10a)
Pat Noonan New England Revolution 30 (11g, 8a)
(TOP 3: Amado Guevara, MetroStars (10g, 10a = 30 pts); Pat Noonan, New England Revolution (11g, 8a = 30 pts); Brian Ching, San Jose Earthquakes (12g, 4a = 28 pts)
2003 Preki Kansas City Wizards 41 (12g, 17a)
(TOP 3: Preki, Kansas City Wizards (12g, 17a = 41 pts); Carlos Ruiz, L.A. Galaxy (15g, 5a = 35 pts); Ante Razov, Chicago Fire (14g, 6a = 34 pts); Taylor Twellman, New England Revolution (15g, 4a = 34 pts)
2002 Taylor Twellman New England Revolution 52 (23g, 6a)
(TOP 3: Taylor Twellman, New England Revolution (23g, 6a = 52 pts); Carlos Ruiz, Los Angeles Galaxy (24g, 1a = 49 pts); Jeff Cunningham, Columbus Crew (16g, 5a = 37 pts)
2001 Alex Pineda Chacon Miami Fusion 47 (19g, 4a)
(TOP 3: Alex Pineda Chacon, Miami Fusion (19g, 4a = 47 pts); Diego Serna, Miami Fusion, (15g, 15a = 45 pts); John Spencer, Colorado Rapids, (14g, 7a = 35 pts)
2000 Mamadou Diallo Tampa Bay Mutiny 56 (26g, 4a)
(TOP 3: Mamadou Diallo, Tampa Bay Mutiny (26g, 4a = 56 pts); Clint Mathis, Los Angeles/MetroStars, (16g, 14a = 46 pts); Ante Razov, Chicago Fire (18g, 6a = 42 pts); Diego Serna, Miami Fusion, (16g, 10a = 42 pts)
1999 Jason Kreis Dallas Burn 51 (18g, 15a)
(TOP 3: Jason Kreis, Dallas Burn (18g, 15a = 51 pts); Roy Lassiter, D.C. United, (18g, 11a = 47 pts); Ronald Cerritos, San Jose Clash (15g, 9a = 39 pts)
1998 Stern John Columbus Crew 57 (26g, 5a)
(TOP 3: Stern John, Columbus Crew (26g, 5a = 57 pts); Cobi Jones, Los Angeles Galaxy (19g, 13a = 51 pts); Welton, Los Angeles Galaxy (17g, 11a = 45 pts)
Major League Soccer Stories from October 28, 2018
- Real Salt Lake to Face LAFC in Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs - Real Salt Lake
- Timbers Conclude 2018 Regular Season at Vancouver - Portland Timbers
- Philadelphia Union to Begin Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs on Wednesday Night - Philadelphia Union
- LAFC to Host Real Salt Lake in Club's First Playoff Game Thursday, November 1st - Los Angeles FC
- MNUFC Falls 3-2 to Crew - Minnesota United FC
- Chicago Fire Battle D.C. United to 0-0 Draw at Toyota Park - Chicago Fire FC
- Comeback Win over San Jose Launches Seattle Sounders FC into First-Round Bye in Audi MLS Cup Playoffs - Seattle Sounders FC
- NYCFC to Host Playoff Match - New York City FC
- Columbus Crew SC Travels to Audi Field to Face D.C. United in Knockout Round of Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs on Thursday, November 1 - Columbus Crew SC
- FC Dallas Will Host the Portland Timbers on October 31 at Toyota Stadium in a Knockout Round Match - FC Dallas
- D.C. United Draw Chicago 0-0 and Finish Fourth in the Eastern Conference - D.C. United
- LA Galaxy Postgame Quote Sheet: LA Galaxy 2, Houston Dynamo 3 - Sunday, October 28, 2018 - LA Galaxy
- Orlando City Loses Season Finale at New York Red Bulls - Orlando City SC
- Sporting KC Earns Top Seed with 2-1 Win over LAFC - Sporting Kansas City
- Earthquakes Fall to Seattle Sounders FC - San Jose Earthquakes
- Red Bulls Earn Franchise's Third Supporters' Shield with MLS-Record 71 Points - New York Red Bulls
- Revolution Cap 2018 Season with 1-0 Win vs. Montreal Impact - New England Revolution
- FC Dallas Falls to Colorado Rapids 2-1 - FC Dallas
- Atlanta United Drop Regular Season Finale at Toronto - Atlanta United FC
- Josef Martinez Wins MLS Golden Boot - Atlanta United FC
- Impact Loses 1-0 against the Revolution - Club de Foot Montreal
- MLS Golden Boot Winner Martinez Among Global Scoring Elite - MLS
- LA Galaxy Postgame Notes: LA Galaxy 2, Houston Dynamo 3 - Sunday, October 28, 2018 - LA Galaxy
- Storybook ending: Bayern-bound Davies puts bow on WFC career with brace in 2-1 victory - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- Dynamo Cap 2018 Season with Thrilling Comeback Victory - Houston Dynamo FC
- New York Red Bulls Capture Third Supporters' Shield - MLS
- Chicago Fire Soccer Club Forward Alan Gordon to Retire Following Today's Regular Season Finale - Chicago Fire FC
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
