BLACK & GOLD EXTEND UNBEATEN STREAK
With Saturday’s 3-1 win over D.C. United, Crew SC extended its undefeated streak to 14 consecutive regular-season matches, dating back to a 3-1 home victory over the Chicago Fire on August 12, 2017. Over that span, the Black & Gold have posted a record of 9-0-5 while outscoring their opponents 27-13. Additionally, the Black & Gold are undefeated at home in their last 11 matches across all MLS competitions (regular and postseason) since a 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Union on July 31, 2017. Over that span, Crew SC has posted a record of 9-0-2, outscoring their rivals 25-9.
TRIO RECORDS 1ST CLUB GOALS
On Saturday, three Crew SC players tallied their first regular-season goal with the club. Defender Milton Valenzuela and midfielders Ricardo Clark and Pedro Santos all got on the scoreboard as the Black & Gold defeated D.C. United 3-1. Valenzuela’s goal came in the 20th minute, when he got on the end of a low cross from Cristian Martinez to put the hosts ahead 1-0. In addition to this being Valenzuela’s first goal for the club, it was also the first career goal for the 19-year-old defender. Ricardo Clark scored in the 40th minute, as he headed in a corner kick from Federico Higuain to restore Crew SC’s lead. Pedro Santos made the score 3-1 just two minutes later, putting away a low cross from Cristian Martinez.
MARTINEZ GETS 1ST ASSIST
Panamanian midfielder Cristian Martinez registered his first regular-season assist for Crew SC in Saturday’s 3-1 win over D.C. United. Martinez set up the opening goal of the match by crossing the ball to Milton Valenzuela after receiving a backheel pass from Artur inside the box. Martinez would help set up another goal for the Black & Gold in the 42nd minute, as he received a ball from Higuain before cutting into the box and sliding a low cross to Pedro Santos, who scored Crew SC’s third goal of the evening. In 2018, Martinez has made four regular-season appearances (all starts), recording two assists.
HIGUAIN: 50/50 CLUB MEMBER
With his two assists in Saturday’s match against D.C. United, midfielder Federico Higuain became the first player in Crew SC history to record at least 50 goals and 50 assists for the club in regular-season action. Higuain’s first assist came in the 40th minute when his corner kick was headed into D.C. United’s net by Ricardo Clark. The Argentine then helped set up Crew SC’s third goal just two minutes later, when he fed Cristian Martinez the ball, before Martinez slid the ball over to Pedro Santos, who made it 3-1. In addition to becoming the first Crew SC player to achieve this feat, the Argentine midfielder is now one of only 19 players in MLS history as well as one of only two active players to record at least 50 goals and 50 assists, with the other player being Diego Valeri of the Portland Timbers.
HIGUAIN LEADS ALL-TIME GAME-WINNING ASSISTS
Federico Higuain’s game-winning assist in the 40th minute of Saturday’s match was his 17th career game-winning assist in regular-season action for Crew SC since joining the club in 2012. With the assist, he surpassed Robert Warzycha to take sole possession of most game-winning assists in club history. During his time with the Black & Gold, Higuain has made 153 regular-season appearances (148 starts) while also registering 50 goals and 51 assists.
HIGUAIN NEARING 150th START
Federico Higuain is on the verge of nearing yet another milestone with Crew SC. The Argentine playmaker, who joined the club in 2012, has made 153 regular-season appearances (148 starts) and is on the verge of making his 150th regular-season start for the Black & Gold. Higuain is sixth in Crew SC’s list of all-time regular-season starts, behind only Chad Marshall (250), Mike Clark (216), Eddie Gaven (198), Brian Maisonneuve (159) and Brian McBride (158).
KEMPIN MAKES DEBUT
Goalkeeper Jon Kempin made his Crew SC regular-season debut in Saturday’s 3-1 win over D.C. United. Kempin made one save on the night to earn his fourth regular-season career win since joining MLS in 2010. Since 2010, Kempin has made 15 regular-season appearances (14 starts), making 39 saves and earning four wins.
TRAPP, STEFFEN START FOR USMNT
Midfielder Wil Trapp and goalkeeper Zack Steffen both earned starts and played the entire 90 minutes for the U.S. Men’s National Team in 1-0 home win over Paraguay this past Tuesday. Trapp wore the captain’s armband for the second consecutive match as he earned his fourth cap (second start) en route to winning Budweiser Man of the Match honors. Meanwhile, Steffen earned his second cap (first start) for the National Team and made three saves to help the U.S. earn its second consecutive shutout.
ABU, WILLIAMS MAKE SEASON DEBUT
Midfielder Mohammed Abu and defender Josh Williams made their 2018 MLS regular-season debut in Saturday’s home win over D.C. United. Abu came into the match in the 71st minute for fellow midfielder Ricardo Clark. Since joining Crew SC in 2017, Abu has made 21 regular-season appearances (14 starts), while providing one assist. Meanwhile, Williams came into the match in the 46th minute as a substitute for defender Lalas Abubakar. In all, Williams has made 94 regular-season appearances (84 starts) for the Black & Gold, tallying seven goals and three assists.
