Death. Taxes. Josef Martínez scoring at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Some things in life truly are inevitable.
The 2018 MLS Cup champion and Landon Donovan MLS MVP winner with the Five Stripes returned to his old stomping grounds Wednesday night, this time playing for visiting CF Montréal, with both sides desperate for three points in their mission to qualify for the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs.
However, it was the visitors who jumped into postseason positioning, thanks to a 2-1 victory courtesy of a Martínez brace.
"We fight for this victory. It's very important for us. We try," said Martínez postmatch. "We fight because to come here to [Mercedes-Benz Stadium], to these fans, with this club, it's hard. Always it's hard to play against them."
Martínez, arguably the most iconic player in Atlanta United history, refused to celebrate either of his goals, which damaged his former team's playoff hopes.
"It’s very difficult to come here. Because of the emotions, because of the mixed feelings you have. But in the end, this is a sport," the Venezuelan international added in Spanish. "... It’s a little sad, but we move on."
Martínez is no stranger to scoring against his former club. Since leaving the Five Stripes after the 2022 season, the 31-year-old has played against them four times. He's scored four goals, with the latest brace, his first two goals as a visitor at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, by far the most impactful.
"He's one of the most exciting players I've ever seen, and it's an honor for me to coach him," said Montréal head coach Laurent Courtois. "I told him this a long time ago: he has two roles – being himself and showing everyone that the class that he has...
"He's been really patient with us, and the other side is the big brother because he experienced and knows things that really few players can live."
Playoffs within reach
With four wins from their last five matches, Montréal have found form at the best possible time. They're now eighth in the Eastern Conference table, three points clear of the playoff line and fully in control of their destiny. After summer struggles in their first year under Courtois, it's a surprising redemption arc for a team most had written off.
Surprising, that is, to everyone but Courtois.
"We just maintained what we were. We thought that we were going to be successful," he said. "... We know that this group has enough quality to pose problems to any team. So, we didn't panic."
Montréal head forward with a 'why not us?' mentality. After their recent form and battle to climb the table, they won't back down from anyone – especially ahead of Saturday's massive showdown at Charlotte FC (7:30 pm ET | MLS Season Pass).
"When you start to win everything changes, so the guys fight. Everyone," Martínez said. "These are more like brothers. So we fight for one reason, and that is to make the playoffs and fight. That's what we do in the last three, four games and we have to continue with that."
