The former soccer player left a great legacy in the MLS and that has motivated the Venezuelan soccer player Josef Martinez of Atlanta United

The Venezuelan soccer player Josef Martínez has become one of the figures of Atlanta United in the Major League Soccer (MLS), leaving his mark as Giovanni Savarese did. Today he is one of the most important players of the North American League, following the legacy left by Savarese. On the one hand, according to Solovenex, Martínez scored 43 goals in the U.S. championship in 44 games and less than two full seasons. On the other hand, Savarese was responsible for opening the doors to Venezuelans in American soccer, after standing out with the New York MetroStars.

Leer en español: La huella goleadora que inspiró al venezolano Josef Martínez en la Major League Soccer

Thanks to his goals, Giovanni earned himself the nickname of "The Bronx Bomber". His level inspired future generations and Martínez has shown it. Josef stands out with his goals in the MLS, while Savarese plays a great campaign as technical director of the Portland Timbers.

An inspiring performance

When the Caracas striker Giovanni Savarese was acquired by the New York MetroStars, it was thought that nothing was going to happen to him. According to Tiempo of Venezuela, Savarese scored 42 goals from 1996 to 1998 with the New York cast, and then was transferred to the New England Revolution in 1999. His level made the American League look at Venezuelan players, which is why they began to follow them and hire them. In a publication released by Los Cronistas, the Venezuelan played 116 times in the MLS, scoring a total of 51 goals.

Giovanni prepared to be a trainer and became the strategist of the Portland Timbers with whom he has a streak of 14 matches unbeaten. Also, he is the first Venezuelan coach in the North American Soccer League.

Praise from Savarese to Martinez

"Josef's moment is not surprising at all. That's why a fair amount of money was spent for him," Savarese told the Venezuelan newspaper Panorama. Likewise, the former scorer of the MetroStars added that Josef is one of the most important players in Venezuela in this decade. "Josef is going to do things better, he is very competent because he does not give up and continues in the battle to score goals," Giovanni told MLS Soccer. The Portland Timbers coach added that he never doubted that the Atlanta attacker was going to make a difference in MLS.

According to Analítica, Savarese said that Martinez also has the capacity to be the leader of Venezuela that could take the team to the World Cup in Qatar. However, the scoring production of the now technical director was decisive in American soccer and served as a springboard to his countrymen.

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He does not stop scoring

Martínez has been consolidated as one of the most important leaders and symbols of the Atlanta United, which is lead by Gerardo "Tata" Martino. "I am an essential part of the team. The support of my teammates is very important," Martinez told MLS Soccer according to AS Venezuela.

The attacker arrived at Atlanta from the Torino of Italy and due to his good level, he became in one of the best players in the MLS in 2017. In the performance of Martinez has been fundamental the support that has given Martino, as it has strengthened the air play. At 25 years, and according to Transfermarkt, his cost in the market is 5 million euros and can play as an extreme.

Venezuelans in the MLS, according to data from the Venezuelan website Meridiano:

• Jefferson Savarino plays with Real Salt Lake
• Yangel Herrera plays with the New York City
• Anthony Blondell plays with the Vancouver Whitecaps
• Rolf Feltscher plays with Los Angeles Galaxy
• Junior Moreno plays with DC United

LatinAmerican Post | Daniel Cuevas

Translated from "La huella goleadora que inspiró al venezolano Josef Martínez en la Major League Soccer"