David Martínez
FCM
RW
Half-Space Orchestrator
Feb 7, 2006 (20)
Left
5'10"
150 lb
Not ready to play
Martinez (leg) remains out ahead of Saturday's clash with D.C. United after coach Marc Dos Santos confirmed his absence for the time being, Josh Gross of SoCal Sports reports.
Analysis: Martinez will miss his fourth MLS game in a row as he continues to struggle with his leg problem. This news leaves LAFC without their top choice on the right side of the front line, and their depth could be further reduced if Timothy Tillman (leg) and Jacob Shaffelburg (undisclosed) are also sidelined, which would lead to the deployment of a regular substitute like Tyler Boyd or Ryan Raposo. Before suffering the injury, Martinez had scored six goals across 18 league outings (11 starts) in 2026.
Picks up leg injury
Martinez has been ruled out for Saturday's match against San Diego after suffering a leg injury, per the MLS Player Status Report.
Analysis: Martinez's problem is a late blow to a front line that will lose his dribbling and shooting skills for an undefined period, leaving Jacob Shaffelburg as the likeliest candidate to support start attackers Denis Bouanga and Son Heung-Min in the short term. Prior to this issue, Martinez had scored six goals over 18 MLS appearances, along with one assist across three Leagues Cup games.
Finds back of net in win
Martinez scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal), one cross (zero accurate) and one chance created in Saturday's 4-0 win over Sporting Kansas City.
Analysis: Martinez found the back of the net late in the first half following a perfect assist from Denis Bouanga, though the Venezuelan winger deserves credit of his own after leaving a defender behind and slotting the ball into an impossible angle for Stefan Cleveland. Martinez might play a secondary role behind Bouanga and Son Heung-Min, but he should have decent upside as a stack when the three are playing together.
Scores in loss
Martinez took three shots on target, created one chance, and scored in Sunday's 3-2 loss to Nashville SC.
Analysis: Martinez poked home from close range to get LAFC back in the match, but his fifth goal of the season wasn't enough to overcome a big performance by Hany Mukhtar. He now has goals in back-to-back appearances and will look to do it again at home against Seattle on Sunday.
Scores goal off bench
Martinez scored one goal to go with two shots (one on goal), two crosses (zero accurate) and three chances created in Wednesday's 2-1 loss against St. Louis City SC.
Analysis: Martinez came off the bench and sparked LAFC back into it, cutting the deficit to 2-1 in the 73rd minute after chasing down Nkosi Tafari's long ball from deep and coolly lifting a lob over Roman Burki as the keeper charged off his line, marking his fourth MLS goal of the regular season and his eighth across all competitions in 2026. He looked dangerous in limited minutes, applying pressure that led to a St. Louis defensive breakdown in the 82nd minute and setting up another LAFC chance. Burki ultimately bailed out the home side with a world-class stop on Aaron Long's deflected effort to keep the lead intact.
Scores winner early
Martinez scored one goal to go with two shots (two on goal) and one chance created in Saturday's 1-0 win over Minnesota United.
Analysis: Martinez delivered the game-winner in Saturday's 1-0 MLS road victory over Minnesota United, striking in the ninth minute with a tough-angle finish after a slick passing sequence between Stephen Eustaquio and Timothy Tillman freed him up in space and gave LAFC a lead they never gave back. The Venezuelan now sits at three MLS goals and six chances created across nine appearances this season, continuing to establish himself as one of the league's more dangerous young attackers. He has already matched his goal total from 30 appearances last season and now has a real shot at tying his career-high mark from the 2024 MLS campaign, with this shaping up to be his most productive year yet for the Black and Gold.
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