MLS Golden Boot winner Josef Martínez among global scoring elite

Atlanta United forward Josef Martínez 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 Martínez 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 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, Martínez finished the season ahead of Mo Salah (.889) and in near reach of Messi’s per-match production (.944).

Among MLS greats, Martínez 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, Martínez netted his sixth hat trick on July 21.

As a star among stars, Martínez 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, Martínez 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 Nikolić	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)

1997	Preki	Kansas City Wizards	41 (12g, 17a)
	(TOP 3: Preki, Kansas City Wizards (12g, 17a = 41 pts); Jaime Moreno, D.C. United, (16g, 8a = 40 pts); Raul Diaz Arce, D.C. United (15g, 6a = 36 pts)

1996	Roy Lassiter	Tampa Bay Mutiny	58 (27g, 4a)
	(TOP 3: Roy Lassiter, Tampa Bay Mutiny (27g, 4a = 58 pts); Preki, Kansas City Wiz (18g, 13a = 49 pts); Eduardo Hurtado, Los Angeles Galaxy, (21g, 7a = 49 pts)

* up to the 2004 season, the Scoring Champion was determined by total points, with a goal counting two points and assists counting as one. Beginning in 2005, the title was renamed the Golden Boot, and awarded to the leading goalscorer in the season. In case of a tie, the winner will be decided by the player with the most assists; if still tied, the winner will be the player with fewer minutes played.

(Major League Soccer)

Chris Punnakkattu Daniel

I'm a creative mind working in football management, consulting and media with more than 20 years of experience in football business and sports media. I love travelling, photography and share things I like. Consultancy, Project Management and Public Relations for professional football clubs, federations, media and corporates on (Indian) football. Indian football expert, writer and blogger. Strategic Advisor to Women's Bundesliga 2 side FSV Gütersloh 2009. Former COO cum Assistant Editor-in-Chief of IndianFootball.Com and its parent company. [+ Read more]