Josef Martinez was a central figure in one of the most celebrated chapters in Atlanta United’s history, but in 2026 both the player and the club find themselves in very different circumstances. Despite an already crowded striker situation, head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino has indicated that a reunion could still be possible.
Atlanta United’s season has been challenging. The team sits 14th in the Eastern Conference with just 11 points from 14 games, and Martino’s second stint has yielded disappointing results, prompting significant activity in the upcoming summer transfer window.
After a 2‑0 loss to the Columbus Crew, Martino told Bolavip about the prospect of Martinez returning: “We haven’t sat down with the front office yet to know in which situation we find ourselves. It’s a position where we already have Emmanuel Latte Lath as DP, we have other strikers in Cayman (Togashi) and Sergio Santos, and I also use Alexey Miranchuk as a striker.”
While acknowledging the depth at forward, Martino stopped short of ruling out a return for the Venezuelan striker, citing their history and Martinez’s continued activity in a competitive league. “I won’t rule it out because Josef is a natural‑born goalscorer. He’s a player I know well and he’s active in an important league like the Mexican league,” he added.
Martinez left the San Jose Earthquakes on a free transfer last season and joined Club Tijuana in January, logging just 13 minutes across the final seven games of the Liga MX Clausura. According to The Athletic’s Felipe Cárdenas, Martinez and Tijuana have mutually agreed to part ways, making him a free agent again and a realistic option for clubs seeking proven MLS firepower, with a return to Atlanta not out of the question.
Atlanta United and an Underperforming Attack
As The Athletic reported, Atlanta United rank third among MLS clubs in total spending for 2026 at $27.9 million, trailing only Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami ($54.6 million) and Son Heung‑min’s LAFC ($32.7 million). That investment has not translated into results, especially in the attacking third.
Atlanta currently sits as the lowest‑scoring team in MLS with 14 goals, tied with Sporting Kansas City. Russian midfielder Aleksei Miranchuk leads the team with five goals, while three other players have two each.
Of the forwards Martino mentioned, Designated Player Emmanuel Latte Lath has only two MLS goals. Brazilian striker Sergio Santos has three appearances without a goal, and Japanese forward Cayman Togashi, with six appearances, has yet to score in the league (his sole goal came in the U.S. Open Cup).
Now 33, Martinez is far from the form he displayed during his peak years at Atlanta United, having scored only one goal in nine appearances with Tijuana. Nonetheless, with a top‑ten spot on MLS’s all‑time goalscoring list and a familiar face on the bench, a final chapter in Atlanta remains a genuine possibility.