Josef Martínez ahead of Villa, Keane & Co. - Most MLS goals in the first 100 games

The king makes history. On Wednesday, Atlanta United superstar Josef Martínez recorded a brace in his club's 4-0 victory over FC Cincinnati. The game marked Martínez's 100th regular-season game in Major League Soccer. A significant milestone on its own. But with 85 goals scored in the regular season, Martínez also has scored the most goals of any player in their first 100 games in MLS history. 

“Six months ago, I didn’t think I’d play again," Martínez said to MLSSoccer.com, reflecting on the fact that he missed almost the entire 2020 season with an ACL injury. "I have my own goal, and I love this team. You know that already. That’s my job. My job is that one. I’m a striker. My job is to score. I’m so happy here. I try to help my teammates, and I’m so happy because 85 goals is not easy."

The milestone comes in a season in which both Atlanta and Martínez had a slow start. A slow start fuelled by the difficult relationship between the players and former head coach Gabriel Heinze. But with the Argentine star coach departed, Atlanta are back on track. The Five Stripes are back in the playoff picture, and Martínez has scored six of his eight goals this season. 

85 goals in 100 games - Martínez ahead of Villa, Keane, Wright-Phillips & Co.

Eight goals in 16 games this season and 85 goals in 100 MLS games overall. A record that significantly overshadows the 69 goals that second-placed Roy Lassiter scored in his first 100 games for the Tampa Bay Mutiny and D.C. United. Other stars were also left in the dust. Former New York City FC star David Villa is third with 67 goals in his first 100 games. Los Angeles Galaxy star Robbie Keane ranks fourth with 66—the same amount as Carlos Ruiz. One of the best scorers in league history, Bradley Wright-Phillips, scored just 61 goals in his first 100 games for New York Red Bulls—enough for sixth place.

And Martínez? The Venezuelan forward has ambitious goals until the end of the season. The striker wants to score 100 goals until the end of the regular season—ten games to score 15 goals or 1.5 goals per game. Only 11 players have managed 100 goals in MLS history, and the fastest was Wright-Phillips, who reached the goal after 159 games. This season or not, Martínez could certainly break Wright-Phillips' record.