Week 22 of Major League Soccer saw a key road win from Columbus Crew SC. Three first-half goals, four key saves and numerous chances created helped the Black & Gold return home with three points. The victory landed defender Harrison Afful and forward Patrick Mullins (bench) on MLSsoccer.com’s Team of the Week.
Afful played an important role in Saturday night’s win with a game-leading 84 total touches and a game-tying four chances created. The defender also recorded the most passes for Crew SC (57) and one assist on a goal from Mullins. In addition, Afful finished Saturday’s match with two tackles and one shot.
Afful leads MLS defenders this regular season in chances created (29) and crosses (82) from open play. The defender is also tied for second-most crosses in the League from open play.
On Saturday, Crew SC’s newest addition, Mullins, made his first start and scored his first goal with the club. Afful delivered a perfectly weighted through ball off of a pass from defender Milton Valenzuela to Mullins who secured a left-footed finish on the counter-attack. Mullins finished Saturday’s match with 32 touches, 24 passes, two tackles and one shot on goal.
Up next, Steffen will appear in the 2018 MLS All-Star game on Wednesday, Aug. 1 at Mercedes-Benz Field in Atlanta, Ga. The Black & Gold resumes regular-season play against the Houston Dynamo at MAPFRE Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 11 at 7:30 p.m. ET as part of Columbus Zoo Night.
Crew SC's 2018 MLSsoccer.com’s Team of the Week honorees:
Week 1: Lalas Abubakar (D), Federico Higuain (M), Milton Valenzuela (D)
Week 2: Gyasi Zardes (F - Bench)
Week 3: N/A
Week 4: Gregg Berhalter (coach), Federico Higuain (M), Cristian Martinez (M), Pedro Santos (M - bench), Milton Valenzuela (D)
Week 5: N/A
Week 6: N/A
Week 7: N/A
Week 8: N/A
Week 9: Mike Grella (M - bench)
Week 10: Lalas Abubakar (D), Milton Valenzuela (D - bench)
Week 11: Gregg Berhalter (coach), Gyasi Zardes (F), Zack Steffen (GK - bench)
Week 12: Jonathan Mensah (D)
Week 13: Artur (M), Josh Williams (D)
Week 14: Federico Higuain (M)
Week 15: Harrison Afful (D)
Week 16: N/A
Week 17: N/A
Week 18: Eduardo Sosa (M)
Week 19: N/A
Week 20: N/A
Week 21: Wil Trapp (M)
Week 22: Harrison Afful (D), Patrick Mullins (F - bench)
