Back-to-back Crew SC wins have lead to back-to-back weeks with multiple Black & Gold representatives in the MLSsoccer.com Team of the Week. Columbus midfielders Artur, Federico Higuain and Wil Trappjoin defender Harrison Afful in Week 4's top performers list after Crew SC's 3-2 victory over the previously unbeaten Portland Timbers.
All of the Crew SC quartet played the full 90 minutes at MAPFRE Stadium on Saturday night. The home side dominated the Timbers in nearly every statistical category. Columbus outshot Portland 16-11 (7-5 on-target), out-passed Portland 572-317 (82 percent successful vs. 74 percent successful) and out-possessed Portland 64.4 percent to 35.6 percent.
Higuain orchestrated much of Crew SC's attack with 64 successful passes in the opposition's half, one assist (on Ola Kamara's magical goal in the 19th minute) and 25 successful passes inside Portland's final third of the field. Columbus' No. 10 recorded his 36th assist in Major League Soccer on Saturday.
Artur, playing in a much more box-to-box role in Columbus' midfield, linked with his teammates in both halves of the field. He successfully passed inside Portland's half 31 times, and 36 times inside Crew SC's half. His connections from distance stood out, with five successful long-distance passes.
Trapp, Crew SC's captain and defensive midfielder, was named to MLSsoccer.com's Team of the Week bench after putting on a passing clinic. The Homegrown Player converted 84 total passes — 11 long-distance, 35 in Portland's half and 49 inside Crew SC's half.
On the defensive side, Afful pushed forward from his full back position to create a Crew SC corner while also winning four fouls. He laced a total of 55 successful passes — two key passes and crosses, nine inside the final third and four from long-range. He also tested Portland goalkeeper Jake Gleeson with a shot from distance in the 21st minute.
The Black & Gold next host Orlando City on April 1 for a 4 p.m. ET kickoff at MAPFRE Stadium.
