Martins' work rate continues to rank among the best in MLS

An electric crowd of over 64,000 supporters flooded CenturyLink Field last Sunday to be a part of the Portland-Seattle derby that is widely regarded as the best rivalry in MLS. For Sounders FC, it served as a must-win match with major playoff implications. With his club competing in its fifth match in 15 days, Seattle Head Coach Sigi Schmid knew a tenacious effort would be a key component to earning three points.

“Sometimes when you go through what we’ve been through – injuries and all that – you’re looking for the three points, you’re looking for your team to work hard and battle,” Schmid said.

After 90 minutes, Seattle grinded out the 2-1 victory to remain unbeaten at home against Portland in seven regular season matches (5-0-2). The Rave Green recorded two first-half goals due to the dogged persistence of its dynamic playmaker, Obafemi Martins – just as Schmid had hoped.

In the sixth minute, forward Nelson Valdez received a long through ball in the area. Although the ensuing pass to Martins was sniffed out by the approaching Portland defense, Valdez kept with the play and knocked the ball loose from Portland’s possession on the backline. Martins recognized Valdez’s effort and sprang forward, where he met three Portland defenders at the ball. Moments later, Martins had left two Timbers sprawled on the turf and another bewilderedly frozen in his tracks.

In a matter of seconds, Martins muscled a broken play into his team-leading 10^th goal of the season.

Goals Per Game

“Martins does what he’s done all year long – he creates something out of nothing,” ESPN analyst Taylor Twellman remarked on the nationally-televised broadcast. “When your backs are against the wall, you need a break; you need something to go for you. Obafemi Martins and the Seattle Sounders got just that.”

Martins’ motor yielded another goal for the home side just before halftime. Defender Tyrone Mears sent a through ball from the halfway line to a streaking Martins over the top of Portland’s defense. After displacing two defenders with his burst of speed, Martins deftly touched the ball around the approaching goalkeeper, Adam Kwarasey. The two opposing forces met in an inevitable collision, with Kwarasey called for a careless challenge in the area.

Captain Brad Evans converted the penalty kick moments later to extend Seattle’s lead to 2-0. Evans improved to 10/10 on penalty kicks across all competitions for Sounders FC. His tally proved to be the difference in Seattle’s crucial 2-1 victory.

Scoring Percentage

Evident in both scoring plays on Sunday, Martins’ work rate and production has become legendary since he joined the club in 2013. In fact, the Emerald City Supporters have devoted an entire song to this trait: Who's that man who scored in green? Obafemi Martins! He's not a man he's a goal machine. Obafemi Martins!

The Nigerian goal machine has scored three goals in three games since returning from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for six weeks. On the season, Martins has scored 10 goals in 14 matches, with the Sounders posting a 7-1-0 record when he scores a goal. Since 2013, the club is an astounding 26-1-0 when Martins scores.

There is little doubt that Martins has made a colossal impact for the Rave Green. For all the flair and flips he has shown in his three seasons with the club, it all begins with the effort he puts forth each match – the exact hard-working mentality Sigi Schmid hopes to find in each of his players.

“You’ve got to find your way into a rhythm and [regain] confidence through hard work,” Schmid said after the match.

Martins and the Sounders return to action on Saturday evening with a contest against Toronto FC. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. PT on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field.