During the 63rd minute of Atlanta United’s opening match in against MLS expansion side, Nashville SC, Josef Martinez collided with a Nashville defender and fell to the grass pointing at his knee and in obvious pain.
After staying down for a couple of minutes, Martinez attempted to play on but then collapsed in the 69th minute as the pain was too much to carry on. He was then substituted and swiftly ushered down the tunnel. It looked nasty. Sunday afternoon, the team confirmed everyone’s worst fears: Martinez tore his ACL.
Newcomer Adam Jahn was sent in to replace Martinez and for the foreseeable future may be the permanent replacement with few other players available on the roster to lead the line.