COLUMBUS — In conjunction with Major League Soccer, Columbus Crew SC today announced that midfielder Federico Higuain has been named a finalist for the MLS Comeback Player of the Year award. The Comeback Player of the Year honor is awarded to an MLS player who has overcome injuries and/or adversity in order to achieve success during the 2017 regular season. The finalists earned the most votes in polling of three voting groups: current MLS players, MLS Clubs (Coaches, Technical Directors/General Managers) and media members who consistently covered the 2017 MLS Regular Season. The winner of the award is expected to be announced on Wednesday, November 15 with the MLS Awards announcement schedule subject to change.

A six-year MLS veteran, Higuain was voted Crew SC’s Most Valuable Player in 2013 and 2014. In 2015, Higuain was a key cog in the Black & Gold’s run to the 2015 MLS Cup. Halfway through 2016, Higuain underwent hernia surgery, drastically reducing the number of matches he was able to play in as he recovered from the procedure. This year, he returned with a vengeance, registering a career-high 14 regular-season assists while helping Crew SC return to the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs. Higuain also scored nine goals in regular-season action, only two shy of his career-high goal tally. During the 2017 MLS regular season, Crew SC posted an undefeated record of 8-0-1 in matches in which he registered one or more assists.

• Federico Higuain joined Crew SC as a Designated Player on July 27, 2012 and — despite joining the club halfway through the 2012 MLS regular season — he was named the 2012 MLS Newcomer of the Year

• Higuain is the Black & Gold’s all-time leader in regular-season penalty kick goals (16) and has taken more corner kicks (606) than anyone in Crew SC history, is currently second all-time for the club in regular-season assists (49) and game-winning assists (15) and he is third all-time for Crew SC in regular-season goals (48)

• This year, he became one of only three players in Black & Gold history to register at least 40 goals and 40 assists, joining Jeff Cunningham and Brian McBride

• Higuain has won multiple honors since joining Crew SC: Club MVP award in 2013 and 2014; Crew SC’s Golden Boot award in 2014.

• Since joining Crew SC, Higuain has made 149 regular-season appearances (144 starts), registering 48 goals and 49 assists.

• Pipa is one of only seven players in Crew SC history to register three assists in a single match

On September 22, 2017, Federico Higuain became one of only six players in Crew SC history to register three assists in a single match for the Black & Gold, as he provided the helper on all three of Columbus’ goals in a 3-2 home victory over the New York Red Bulls at MAPFRE Stadium. Currently, Higuain is tied with Robert Warzycha for first place on Crew SC’s list of all-time regular-season game-winning assists, with 16. Since 2012, Higuain has made 149 regular-season appearances (144 starts), registering 48 goals and 49 assists. He is in first place on Crew SC’s list of all-time regular-season goals with 48 strikes, and he is in second place on Crew SC’s list of all-time regular-season assists, behind only Robert Warzycha, who has 61 helpers.

Crew SC takes on New York City FC at MAPFRE Stadium tonight in the First Leg of the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinals. The match kicks-off at 8:00 p.m. ET and is set to be televised nationally on ESPN and will be available as well on the radio locally on CD102.5 FM (English) and La Mega 103.1 FM (Spanish).

Comeback Player of the Year Finalists

Honors an MLS player who has overcome injuries and/or adversity in order to achieve success during the 2017 regular season
Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC)
Federico Higuaín (Columbus Crew SC)
Erick Torres (Houston Dynamo)

Awards Announcement Schedule:

Schedule subject to change

November 2: MLS WORKS Humanitarian of the Year, presented by AdvoCare
November 7: MLS Referee and Assistant Referee of the Year; Fair Play Award – Individual and Team
November 8: AT&T Rookie of the Year
November 9: MLS Defender of the Year
November 14: AT&T Goal of the Year and MLS Save of the Year
November 15: MLS Comeback Player of the Year
November 16: Allstate Goalkeeper of the Year
November 20: Newcomer of the Year
November 27: MLS Coach of the Year
November 28: MLS Best XI
December 4: Landon Donovan MLS Most Valuable Player