It’s about 335 mile drive from Maracaibo to Valencia, Venezuela –– about a six-hour drive between the hometowns of Atlanta Braves star centerfielder Ender Inciarte and Atlanta United’s Josef Martinez. Venezuela has a rich baseball heritage and many only have eyes for the diamond –– and that’s how Inciarte has made his name. But he’s always had a deep love for the beautiful game.
“I’ll always remember I was watching an Inter Milan game as a kid, and the Brazilian Ronaldo hurt his knee,” Inciarte says. “He was crying on the field and people were saying he wasn’t going to be able to come back. Then he came back and was even stronger, and that was a big inspiration for me as a kid –– so everywhere he went, I became a fan of that team. Soccer just grew in me, and now I watch it almost every day.”
Both Josef’s and Ender’s careers have taken them far –– Ender to Arizona, Josef to Switzerland and Italy. Ender came to Atlanta first, and he heard rumors about his fellow countryman coming just a couple years later. So when a Venezuelan started tearing up the league just a few miles down the road, Ender knew he had a local team.
“I had already heard of Josef when he came to Atlanta, because already on the Venezuelan National Team they were talking about how good and fast he was,” Ender says. “Once he got here I was really excited. I called him right away because I said man, now you’re playing next to me, and we can share this time and this moment together. We stay in touch, he loves baseball and I love soccer. So we talk a lot about sports but also about life. We have a great relationship outside of sports.”
Ender knew he would be rooting for the Five Stripes, but little did he know how many people in Atlanta would share his love for soccer. Even though he was in the midst of his own professional peak, he couldn’t help but noticed the wave taking over his adopted city.
“I have friends from Venezuela who have come up here just to see Atlanta United,” he says with a laugh. “They say it’s some of the most fun they’ve ever had at a soccer game, even comparing it to European games. Now Atlanta United is a team to follow.”
While he was happy to see the sport he loves thriving in his city, there were obvious personal reasons for rooting specifically for his fellow countryman leading the attack. So as he saw Josef’s incredible season go from good to great to historic, he knew how much it would mean, not only to Venezuelan-Americans, but the whole country of Venezuela.
“I hope we give the people in Venezuela hope,” Inciarte says. “Especially the kids that are in the streets, sometimes sports are the best way to get out of the streets. Having kids want to be like Josef Martinez or Ender Inciarte, it means the world to us. We want kids in Venezuela and Atlanta to be able to dream. Venezuela can be a dangerous place. Sports is one way to show kids that there’s so much more than what they’re doing.”
So Ender has had a front row seat as a sport he loves and the city he calls home come together, with a fellow Venezuelan one of the primary catalysts. With his Gold Glove complimenting Josef’s Golden Boot, they are at the top of their games, representing Venezuela and Atlanta at the same time.
“I tell Josef: ‘everyone knows what your name is becoming around Atlanta, the U.S. and the world. So just stay consistent, stay humble and don’t get tired of getting better.’ I just want him to never think that he’s made it. That’s the best way to stay on the right path and keep getting better.”
And as Josef takes his game to new heights, so does Atlanta United. As the team reaches the final stages of its second season, it’s clear that this isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
“I never knew Atlanta was a soccer city. But once you see the fanbase that Atlanta United has created, it’s unbelievable. It’s special to see my friend be a part of it. It’s nothing that I thought would happen, but by now, it’s just undeniable.”
© 2026 Atlanta United FC
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