Jose Martinez gives masterclass performance in All-Star sendoff

Without a doubt, Saturday night’s 2-1 Union victory over New York City FC was a Jose Martinez game. Union fans have come to expect the Venezuelan midfielder’s crunching tackles, his exceptional range when closing spaces, and his disrupting nature when stopping opponents and springing counter-attacks. Weeks ago, they even saw what happens when he makes clean contact from distance. But midway through the first half, El Brujo showed the whole package of his abilities.

The Union stopped an NYCFC attack and broke out in transition finding Daniel Gazdag. As Gazdag dribbled away from pressure he found Quinn Sullivan with a through ball out to the right side that put the Union forward deep into the attacking third.

The incredible part of this counter is where Martinez’s run started. He was twenty yards inside his own half when Gazdag passed to Sullivan, but in less than ten seconds he sprinted forward to get on the end of Sullivan’s back-post cross, which he did on the edge of the six yard box. Then he took the pass off the short hop and smashed it past Luis Barraza to give the Union a 1-0 lead. It was an amazing display of effort and skill from the team’s number six, who now has scored twice in three weeks after going three and half seasons without hitting the back of the net.

All-Star run, All-Star finish!#DOOP
pic.twitter.com/DRcIaZcc2R

— Philadelphia Soccer Now (@phlsoccernow) July 16, 2023

“He’s a great ball winner, as good as any ball winner in our league,” Union coach Jim Curtin said after the game. “I’ve joked around with him that he’s creeping up to becoming one of our top scorers now.”

Martinez, who along with Jakob Glesnes, will represent the Union in this week’s MLS All-Star game against Arsenal, made favorable first impressions on the Union fanbase by being a tenacious defender, reckless at times, but ruthless and intimidating toward the opposition. He’s a key reason the Union have been one of the league’s best defenses since 2020. With two assists in each of his first two seasons and four last season, he may have been more known for his scrapes than his creative output. His seven yellow cards this season may still surpass last season’s ten, however, he’s yet to be sent off this season and now has two goals and three assists, adding to the abundance of nearly un-trackable metrics that determine positive outcomes for the Union from his position.

“I’m proud of how he’s gotten better and better,” Curtin said, “development is not just about our youth academy guys.” Since his arrival, Martinez has typically played as a holding six, responsible for tracking stars like Lucas Zelarayán, Carles Gil, Luciano Acosta, or Maxi Moralez, with mostly favorable results. Some of that growth comes from expanded opportunities for Martinez to go forward, sometimes filling the role of an eight, which happened at times Saturday night. “If you look at New York City,” Curtin said, “they didn’t play with a true target 9 and there wasn’t really a 10 in there for Jose to deal with. So we wanted him to be aggressive and brave, and he went out and broke up a lot of plays and was all over the place.”

“It’s very exciting having that first goal under my belt, ” Martinez said after the game about scoring at Subaru Park. A fan favorite since his arrival, he was honored by the pre-game Tifo in the Supporter’s End. “The hard work that I put in and giving it my all, knowing that I have the support of the fans is amazing.”

Time to get nasty!#DOOP pic.twitter.com/hLku7vJqKA

— Philadelphia Soccer Now (@phlsoccernow) July 15, 2023

It’s not only in Philly where Martinez has shown growth. A fringe national team player when he first joined the Union from FC Zulia, he’s since become a regular for Venezuela, appearing 23 times. Martinez played every game in the 2021 Copa América and nearly every game in 2022 World Cup Qualifying. This year, he started three of four friendlies and will likely be a contributing midfielder when qualifying begins this fall for the World Cup in 2026. He could appear in as many as six games before the end of the year.

This week, he will have a new setting to showcase his talents. While the Union prepare for the start of Leagues Cup, Martinez will travel to Washington D.C. to take part in the All-Star game festivities. “A lot of emotions going through my head,” he said, “but it’s exciting knowing that I represent the team.”

Martinez will be the Union’s 11^th All-Star in club history. Captain Andre Blake leads the way with four appearances. This will be the fifth time the Union have had multiple representatives in All-Star game, the most last season with Blake, Glesnes, and Kai Wagner.