FEDERICO HIGUAIN AMONG TOP PLAYMAKERS IN MLS
Through 18 matches in the 2018 MLS regular season, Federico Higuain leads the League in goal-scoring chances created, including assists. Per Opta, Higuain has created 61 goal-scoring chances since the beginning of the season, including seven assists, more than any other player in the League. Of his 61 goal-scoring chances, 32 have come from open play, tied for third-most in MLS with New York City FC’s Maximiliano Moralez and Real Salt Lake’s Albert Rusnak, and behind only behind only the New England Revolution’s Diego Fagundez (36) and Sporting Kansas City’s Roger Espinoza (35). Similarly, 29 of Higuain’s chances have come from set plays, the most in the League. In addition to creating these goal-scoring chances, Higuain has also scored four goals to bring his 2018 output to four goals and seven assists in 18 regular-season appearances (17 starts).
GYASI ZARDES ON THE VERGE OF MLS MILESTONE
Forward Gyasi Zardes is on the verge of achieving a career milestone, as he is only one match away from making his 150th regular-season appearance in MLS. Since joining the League in 2013, Zardes has made 149 regular-season appearances (134 starts), scoring 44 goals and providing 17 assists. In 2018, Zardes has made 18 regular-season appearances (all starts), registering 10 goals. Zardes also leads Crew SC in regular-season minutes played (1,598) in 2018.
PEDRO SANTOS LEADING CREW SC IN DUELS WON IN THE 2018 MLS REGULAR SEASON
Midfielder Pedro Santos currently leads Crew SC in duels won in the 2018 MLS regular season, per Opta. Through 14 matches (all starts), Santos has won 93 of his 174 duels, six more duels than the next closest player (Artur). Santos’ 174 duels are the second-most for the Black & Gold, behind only midfielder Artur (178). According to Opta, Pedro is averaging 15.35 duels per 90 minutes, and winning 8.21 duels per 90 minutes. For a more complete list of Crew SC leaders in duels, please see the table below.
AIR MENSAH: JONATHAN MENSAH LEADS THE BLACK & GOLD IN AERIAL DUELS WON
Through 15 regular-season appearances (14 starts) in the 2018 MLS regular season, defender Jonathan Mensah currently leads Crew SC in aerial duels won. Per Opta, Mensah has won 43 of his 66 aerial duels, eight more than the next closest player (Lalas Abubakar). Similarly, Mensah’s 66 aerial duels are the second-most for the Black & Gold, behind only Gyasi Zardes’ 92 aerial duels. According to Opta, Mensah is averaging aerial 4.69 duels per 90 minutes, while winning 3.05 duels per 90 minutes. For a more complete list of Crew SC leaders in aerial duels, please see the table below.
MILTON VALENZUELA LEADS CREW SC IN TACKLES WON
Defender Milton Valenzuela currently leads Crew SC in tackles and tackles won in the 2018 MLS regular season. According to Opta, through 17 matches (16 starts), Valenzuela has won 33 of his 51 attempted tackles, more than any other player for the Black & Gold. For a more complete list of Crew SC leaders in tackles, please see the table below.
MILTON VALENZUELA AMONG BEST TACKLERS IN MLS
In just his first season in MLS, defender Milton Valenzuela is already among the best tacklers in the League. The 19-year-old has attempted 51 tackles in the 2018 MLS regular season, winning 33 of them. Valenzuela is ranked fifth in these categories among players in the League, and he also leads all Crew SC players in both categories. In 2018, Valenzuela has made 16 regular-season appearances (15 starts), registering one goal and two assists, including one game-winning assist.
