After smashing the league's single-season record for goals, Atlanta United striker Josef Martinez has been named 2018 Landon Donovan MLS Most Valuable Player.
Martinez scored 31 goals this season, breaking the previous record of 27, shared by Roy Lassiter, Chris Wondolowski and Bradley Wright-Phillips. Martinez's goals helped push Atlanta to the brink of the 2018 Supporters' Shield and was the focal point of Atlanta's attack that scored an MLS-high 70 goals in 2018.
A finalist for 2017 MLS Newcomer of the Year and two-time MLS Best XI selection, Martinez is Atlanta's all-time leading scorer with 50 MLS goals in two seasons. The Venezuelan has been an instant success with Atlanta United, scoring his half-century of goals in just 54 regular season appearances in the league.
Martinez is the first Venezuelan to win the honor. He's the eighth South American to lift the trophy and second in a row, following Portland Timbers' Diego Valeri from last season.
Since 1996, the MLS MVP award has been presented annually to the individual deemed most valuable to his club by players, management and the media. Below is a breakdown of the voting results:
Nominee |
Player
Vote |
Club
Vote |
Media
Vote |
Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Josef Martinez (ATL) |
50.00% |
42.45% |
51.35% |
47.93% |
Miguel Almiron (ATL) |
13.95% |
17.92% |
13.21% |
15.03% |
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (LA) |
8.14% |
12.26% |
14.41% |
11.60% |
Wayne Rooney (DC) |
4.07% |
9.43% |
9.91% |
7.80% |
Carlos Vela (LAFC) |
4.65% |
9.43% |
1.80% |
5.29% |
Bradley Wright-Phillips (RBNY) |
4.65% |
4.72% |
5.11% |
4.83% |
Luciano Acosta (DC) |
5.23% |
0.94% |
0.60% |
2.26% |
Ignacio Piatti (MTL) |
0.58% |
2.83% |
2.70% |
2.04% |
MLS Most Valuable Players
- 2018: Josef Martinez – Atlanta United FC
- 2017: Diego Valeri – Portland Timbers
- 2016: David Villa – New York City FC
- 2015: Sebastian Giovinco – Toronto FC
- 2014: Robbie Keane – LA Galaxy
- 2013: Mike Magee – Chicago Fire
- 2012: Chris Wondolowski – San Jose Earthquakes
- 2011: Dwayne De Rosario – D.C. United
- 2010: David Ferreira – FC Dallas
- 2009: Landon Donovan – LA Galaxy
- 2008: Guillermo Barros Schelotto – Columbus Crew
- 2007: Luciano Emilio – D.C. United
- 2006: Christian Gómez – D.C. United
- 2005: Taylor Twellman – New England Revolution
- 2004: Amado Guevara – MetroStars
- 2003: Preki – Kansas City Wizards
- 2002: Carlos Ruiz – LA Galaxy
- 2001: Alex Pineda Chacón – Miami Fusion
- 2000: Tony Meola – Kansas City Wizards
- 1999: Jason Kreis – Dallas Burn
- 1998: Marco Etcheverry – D.C. United
- 1997: Preki – Kansas City Wizards
- 1996: Carlos Valderrama – Tampa Bay Mutiny
