CREW SC MAKES HISTORIC COMEBACK AGAINST TORONTO FC
During Saturday’s home contest against Toronto FC, Columbus Crew SC came back from a three-goal deficit in the second half to draw with the visiting club. The comeback marked the first time in Black & Gold history that the club was able to achieve such a feat, as well as the 13th time in MLS history where a club has come back from three goals down to either draw or win the match.
CREW SC ON AN EIGHT-MATCH UNDEFEATED STREAK IN MLS REGULAR-SEASON ACTION
Saturday’s 3-3 draw at home against Toronto FC ensured that Crew SC extended its undefeated streak to eight consecutive regular-season matches. The streak dates back to a 2-2 draw on April 21 against the New England Revolution. Since then, the Black & Gold have posted a record of 4-0-4, outscoring their opponents 12-6. In addition to drawing against Toronto, Crew SC drew against the New England Revolution at home (April 21); defeated the San Jose Earthquakes 2-1 at home (April 28); played Seattle Sounders FC to a 0-0 draw on the road (May 5); defeated the Philadelphia Union 1-0 at home (May 9); defeated the Chicago Fire 3-0 at home; defeated New England 1-0 on the road (May 19); and drew against Sporting Kansas City 0-0 on the road (May 27).
BLACK & GOLD CONTINUE SCORING STREAK AT HOME
With goals by Gyasi Zardes, AlexCrognale and Federico Higuain in Saturday’s contest, Crew SC extended its regular-season home goal-scoring streak to 15 consecutive matches, dating back to a 1-0 victory over the Philadelphia Union at MAPFRE Stadium on July 22, 2017. Over that span, the Black & Gold have compiled a regular-season winning record of 11-1-3 at home, outscoring opponents 32-16. In 2018, Crew SC has a regular-season home record of 5-1-2 while outscoring opponents 20-11.
EDUARDO SOSA MAKES 2018 REGULAR-SEASON DEBUT AGAINST TORONTO FC
Midfielder Eduardo Sosa made his regular-season debut for Crew SC in Saturday’s home match against Toronto FC, coming in as a substitute for Niko Hansen in the 62nd minute of the contest. The Venezuelan made his presence felt during the comeback, registering 32 touches, attempting 23 passes, making two tackles and registering one shot (on target) during the match. The 21-year-old midfielder was acquired by Crew SC via transfer from Zamora FC of Venezuela’s First Division on January 9, 2018.
GOALKEEPER ZACK STEFFEN NAMED MLS PLAYER OF THE MONTH
Goalkeeper Zack Steffen was voted MLS Player of the Month presented by EA SPORTS™ by members of the media for the month of May. This is the first time that Steffen has earned MLS Player of the Month honors in his MLS and Crew SC career. During the month of May, Steffen did not allow a single goal, recording five consecutive shutouts as part of his ongoing 495-minute shutout streak. In May, Steffen registered 17 total saves against Seattle Sounders FC, the Philadelphia Union, the Chicago Fire, the New England Revolution, and Sporting Kansas City combined en route to earning five clean sheets. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Steffen’s current 495-minute scoreless streak – which began in the second half of the April 28th match against San Jose – is the longest regular-season shutout record in club history as well as the 10th-longest regular-season shutout streak in MLS history. Steffen is currently on international duty with the United States Men’s National Team.
HIGUAIN AMONG ASSIST LEADERS IN 2018 MLS REGULAR SEASON
Midfielder Federico Higuain recorded an assist off of a corner kick in Saturday’s 3-3 draw against Toronto FC. Higuain’s assist to Gyasi Zardes in the 67th minute was Higuain’s sixth of the season and 55th as a member of Columbus Crew SC. Higuain’s six assists in the 2018 MLS regular season are tied for third-most in the League this season, and he is currently 29th in MLS history in all-time regular-season assists. Higuain was named to MLSSoccer.com’s Team of the Week for his efforts against Toronto FC.
FEDERICO HIGUAIN AMONG TOP PLAYMAKERS IN MLS
Through 15 matches in the 2018 MLS regular season, Federico Higuain leads the League in goal-scoring chances created, including assists. Per Opta, Higuain has created 46 goal-scoring chances since the beginning of the season, including six assists, more than any other player in the League. In addition to creating these goal-scoring chances, the midfielder has also scored four goals to bring his 2018 output to four goals and six assists in 15 regular-season appearances (14 starts).
FEDERICO HIGUAIN: PENALTY KICK MASTER
With his penalty kick goal against Toronto FC on Saturday, Federico Higuain brought his all-time penalty kick goal total to 19 in MLS regular-season action since making his debut for Crew SC on August 19, 2012. Higuain is one goal ahead of David Villa of New York City FC for most penalty kick goals in the League since that date. Additionally, Higuain also leads Crew SC in all-time regular-season penalty kick goals, having scored five more goals than the next closest player, Guillermo Barros Schelotto (14). In 2018, Higuain has scored three penalty kick goals in regular-season action, converting all of his attempts.
