Concacaf Spotlight: David Martínez shining bright with LAFC | OneFootball

MIAMI – Young Venezuelan forward David Martínez is shining for Los Angeles FC, and he is using Concacaf Champions Cup as his showcase. 

Martínez is coming off a brace against Cruz Azul in the first leg of the Champions Cup Quarterfinals, both goals displaying elite speed and skill on sensational solo efforts. 

“I see these plays in training,” said LAFC head coach Marc Dos Santos after the 3-nil win. “In these plays that he has space in front of him and he goes, it’s fantastic to watch. He has this quality. David is strong.”

Martínez became the youngest to net a brace for LACF (20 years, 2 months), surpassing the mark previously set by Denis Bouanga in 2023 during the first leg of the Quarterfinals when he was 28 years, 4 months, and 25 days.

The Venezuelan also became the youngest player to score a brace in the Quarterfinals stage for a club from the United States, surpassing Ben Olsen who did so for D.C. United in 1998 at 21 years, 3 months, and 8 days.

Amid a talented attack alongside experienced players like Son Heung-Min and Bouanga, it’s the dynamic Venezuelan that is garnering the spotlight for one of the best teams in MLS. 

Martínez also had a massive moment in the Round of 16, delivering a dramatic winning goal from distance in the 90’+2’ at LD Alajuelense to advance LAFC to the Quarterfinals. 

Since signing with the club in 2024, the potential for major impact has always been there. He showed flashes of it, but never over a consistent period of time. Last MLS season he played in 29 games but only started 13 of those, finishing the year with three goals and four assists.

This year has all the signs of a breakout season for Martínez under new head coach Dos Santos, as he already has two goals and one assist in just six league games played so far, to go along with his four in Champions Cup.

If LAFC can make a run at winning this year’s edition of the tournament, Martínez will be a crucial part of that journey as he has already proven to be.