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Josef Martinez has won the 'MLS Goal of the Year' award for his extraordinary rainbow flick and top corner finish against FC Cincinnati

Barnaby Lane   

Josef Martinez has won the 'MLS Goal of the Year' award for his extraordinary rainbow flick and top corner finish against FC Cincinnati
Sports2 min read

Martinez Goal

Josef Martinez's sensational goal against FC Cincinnati in September has been named the "MLS Goal of the Year."

The Atlanta United striker stunned the crowd at the West End Stadium last month when he flicked the ball over Cincinnati defender Nick Hagglund with the back of his heel, before Cruyff-turning Hagglund's teammate Maikel van der Werff to move the ball onto his left foot.

Hagglund came back for a second bite at Martinez, but was put to the floor as the 26-year-old shimmied past him, before subsequently curling the ball into the top left corner.

You can watch Martinez's goal here:

Martinez's goal was voted as the league's best for 2019 by MLS fans - beating off efforts from Carlos Vela, Raul Ruidiaz, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Wayne Rooney to scoop the prize.

Read more:A 25-year-old Austrian pulled off one of the goals of the season when he ripped an 'unsaveable' half-volley winner into the top corner

The Venezuela international scored 27 in the regular season this year, and 31 last year - a total that saw him win the MLS' Golden Boot.

In total for Atlanta, he's hit 87 goals in 96 games across three seasons, including one in last season's 2-0 MLS Cup final win over the Portland Timbers.

Atlanta finished second in the Eastern Conference in 2019, and beat the New England Revolution 1-0 in round one of the play-offs.

Frank de Boer's side face the Philadelphia Union in the second round on Friday, October 25, and the winner will face Toronto FC on October 30 for a place in the final.

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