David Villa to Diego Valeri: the men who will decide the MLS playoffs


The teams are decided for the post-season. But who will have the biggest say on the destination of this season’s MLS Cup?

Josef Martinez (Atlanta United) Nothing in Major League Soccer is as thrilling as an Atlanta United game at their new Mercedes Benz Stadium home. Tata Martino’s men have scored more goals than any other side in becoming the first expansion team to make the play-offs in their debut season since the 2009 Seattle Sounders. Much of that attacking success has been down to Josef Martinez.

The Venezuelan is United’s master of chaos, scoring 18 goals in just 16 starts. If Atlanta are to make a play-off run, keeping Martinez firing will prove critical. Of course, without the supply line of Miguel Almiron, who is currently struggling with injury, Martinez will find things more difficult, but the 24-year-old is precisely the sort of instinctive finisher you want in a knockout format.

Related: Was MLS really to blame for USA's World Cup failure?

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