Union Sign Midfielder Jose Martinez to New Contract
On Wednesday the Philadelphia Union announced that they signed midfielder Jose “el Brujo” Martinez to a new contract through the 2022 season with club options for 2023 and 2024. In his first season with the team in 2020, he proved to be a key part in helping the Union win their first-ever Supporters Shield in club history. Martinez’s aggressiveness and tenacity were vital in winning 50/50 balls in the midfield and stringing together passes to start the attack.
The 26-year-old signed with Philadelphia ahead of the 2020 season and recorded 14 regular-season appearances, starting in all 14. Martinez made his debut for the Boys in Blue on March 8th in a 3-3 tie against LAFC. The Venezuelan recorded two assists over the course of the successful season. One of his assists came in the team’s 2-0 victory over New England in their regular-season finale that clinched the Supporters Shield for the Union.
“Jose’s passion and physicality gives us an extra edge every time he steps on the field,” said Union Sporting Director Ernst Tanner. “He has proven to be dominant in our midfield, vital in the transition on attack and we are looking forward to seeing his continued development and contributions.”
Before joining Philly, Martinez played for Venezuelan club Zulia FC, where he tallied two goals and added four assists across 65 appearances in 2018 and 2019. He competed in the 2019 Copa Sudamericana where he assisted Zulia reach the quarterfinals, the furthest a Venezuelan team has ever made it in the competition’s history. On the international level, Martinez most recently received a call up to the Venezuelan National Team last October before a pair of FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.
Martinez was nicely integrated into the lineup last season and played very well in the midfield which led to many crucial wins throughout the year. Martinez broke out in the MLS is Back Tournament with his phenomenal defense and ability to break up passes during the team’s successful run. The Venezuelan filled in nicely for the departed Haris Medunjanin in a role where he needed to distribute the ball well.
His defensive presence was an added element in the 2020 season, and he was a crucial part of the team’s dominant defensive stats as they only allowed six goals at home all year. Martinez will look to insert his tenacious style of play in the 2021 season on a new contract and a year in MLS under his belt.
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Categorized:Union