MARIETTA, Ga. — There were countless hurdles in the long road that led Atlanta United to Friday, when the club unveiled their latest blockbuster South American signing, Pity Martinez, to the media for the first time.
For Five Stripes' technical director Carlos Bocanegra, one of those was even literal.
While scouting Martinez in Argentina, a traffic jam prompted Bocanegra to hop out of his car, jump over a concrete barrier and continue toward River Plate's "El Monumental" stadium on foot. That was still in the early stages of Atlanta's courtship, but after continued pursuit and conversation through the months that followed, Martinez eventually came to the conclusion that the move to MLS made a lot of sense.
“For me it was an easy decision because there were a lot of positive things both on the soccer side and on the personal side, just based on my talks with [team president Darren Eales] and Carlos and everything they told me at the club,” Martinez said at the club's training facility Friday morning. “At the time, I was competing with River in many competitions and Atlanta was also competing and went on to win the title … We always remained calm, and then I finally made my decision toward the end of the year.”
Now the club that already have the record-holder for most goals scored in an MLS season in Josef Martinez on their books and — for the moment — one of the winter transfer window's most sought-after commodities in Miguel Almiron, have also added the reigning South American Footballer of the Year.
Pity Martinez becomes only the second player to go on to play in MLS after winning the award, joining former Tampa Bay Mutiny, Miami Fusion and Colorado Rapids star Carlos Valderrama, who took the honor in 1993.
“I was pretty happy when I got the High School Player of the Year at my school,” joked Bocanegra, who nonetheless did play in the English Premier League and for years with the US national team. “You take a step back and you think about all the great players that have come out of South America and who are playing there now. To have someone of Pity's quality to come here and be a part of Atlanta United is fantastic for us and fantastic for the group.”
The departure of coach Tata Martino left many wondering if Atlanta’s status as a destination club for South American players would remain. But Martinez made no mention of Martino and said the decision to come to Atlanta was one pushed by his personal ambitions.
“I'm someone who likes a challenge and I know that Atlanta's a club that's winning titles, and I'm someone who likes to compete for titles,” Martinez said. “My goal is just to get up to speed with the group as fast as I can to be able to help them and help accomplish all of our goals. ...They gave me a great welcome, which is something that I don't think is common at all clubs. But we know that we have a really good group here, and I want to get adapted to the group as fast as possible.”
For years, Atlanta’s executive and technical leaders have talked about the team’s desire to become entwined in the global transfer market through the purchasing of young players who have sell-on value for interested European clubs with deep pockets. At age 25, Martinez could still fit that mold, and chatter about a potential MLS-record sale of 24-year-old Almiron continued to build during Martinez's introductory presser. Like Almiron when he arrived, Martinez said that Atlanta represents an ideal place for him to perform well and showcase his talent.
“Atlanta is a club that's doing things well, so I know that if I perform well, there will be opportunities to have the chance to go to Europe,” Martinez told media. “But I'm not desperate. I'm very happy to be here and to join this club.”
