BERHALTER ON LEARNING FROM ARENA
Though it’s likely Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter has learned one thing or another from each of the coaches he played under during his 16-year career, the former defender has taken more from Bruce Arena due to the success the National Soccer Hall of Fame coach has seen in Major League Soccer’s history, including four MLS Cup wins and three Coach of the Year awards ... “I take a lot from [Arena],” Berhalter admitted ... “It’s not just one thing. Something that stands out, however, is how he gets his teams to compete. He doesn’t accept anything less than 100 percent. He makes that known.” ... “It will be fun,” Berhalter said ... “Obviously, I look up to him and he’s had a big influence on my career both on the playing field and off. It’ll be a good day.”
PIPA’S LAST THREE
Since scoring a beautiful goal off of a free kick in New England on July 26, Federico Higuain has been on a scoring tear ... the club’s Designated Player has tallied in three straight games after finding a goal on August 2 and again last weekend against Toronto ... Higuain leads the Crew this year in goals (nine) and assists (five).
FAST APPROACHING A CREW RECORD FOR PK’S
Federico Higuain has now scored 11 of his 25 career goals for the Crew in attempts from the penalty spot ... with his spot kick last weekend against Toronto FC, he is now tied for second with Brian McBride for second all-time in penalty kick goals, with 11 ... Guillermo Barros Schelotto leads the Crew with 13 penalty kick goals.
FINLAY’S LAST DOZEN TILTS
With his game-tying assist in Chicago to open the month, Ethan Finlay has recorded a goal or an assist in eight of the last 12 League matches he’s played in dating back to May 17 at Portland ... Finlay scored his first career tally in Oregon before returning home for a second goal against Chicago on May 24 ... on May 31 in Toronto, Finlay added an assist on Justin Meram’s tally to open the scoring before scoring on June 4 ... the Crew was held scoreless in the 0-0 draw on June 7 and Finlay missed action on June 29 after recovering from an appendectomy ... he returned with the team’s lone goal in the 1-1 draw at Colorado on July 4 ... Finlay also assisted Adam Bedell’s goal in the July 12 match at New York and added the game-winning goal on July 26 at New England.
