De Boer fears ´serious´ injury after Atlanta´s Martinez is carried off on stretcher

Atlanta United head coach Frank de Boer fears star forward Josef Martinez suffered a “serious” injury in the defending MLS champions’ win over San Jose Earthquakes.

Martinez was carried off on the stretcher after hurting his knee as Atlanta defeated the Earthquakes 3-1 on Saturday – ending his MLS record 15-match scoring streak.

The Venezuela international and reigning MLS MVP landed awkwardly after colliding with a team-mate before he was substituted in the 79th minute at Mercedes-Benz Field.

It sent shockwaves around Atlanta, where Martinez has scored 26 goals to help the titleholders up to third in the Eastern Conference in their pursuit of back-to-back MLS championships.

Asked about Martinez post-match, De Boer told reporters: “I’m afraid that he has something serious, but we have to wait. They’re evaluating him now.”

“Probably tomorrow we can have a better diagnosis and then we have to make our plan,” the former Inter and Crystal Palace boss said. “Hopefully it’s not so bad. But I can’t say if it’s good or bad. I don’t know.

“We know Josef a little bit — he’s a tough guy. He will not suddenly step off the field. He will have something, that’s for sure. But we have to wait. It’s too early to predict. 

“But I think it’s not a good sign that he goes off … but it’s like that. We have to deal with it. Again, we have to wait.”

Put it on ice

Pity finishes off the win! pic.twitter.com/FQLKeCqR35

— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) September 21, 2019

Goals from Justin Meram, Emerson Hyndman and Gonzalo Martinez saw Atlanta clinch a home play-off match.