Atlanta United striker Martinez undergoes knee surgery

WASHINGTON - Atlanta United star Josef Martinez's knee surgery was a success, the Major League Soccer team said on Wednesday.

The Atlanta United forward tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee on Feb 29 when Atlanta defeated Nashville 2-1 in the team's opener of the season. But the season is now on hold because of the coronavirus outbreak.

United said that Martinez will now return to Atlanta to begin his rehabilitation, which will be led by the Atlanta United medical team.

"In the midst of the crisis we are all living through, we need to think about and take care of each other, just wanted to share that I'm blessed that my knee surgery today went well," Martinez also confirmed on social media.

Martinez has tallied 77 goals in 84 MLS matches since entering the league for United's debut season in 2017. The team won the 2018 MLS title in just its second season.