BLACK & GOLD NETS GAME-WINNING GOAL IN STOPPAGE TIME FOR THIRD TIME THIS SEASON
Gyasi Zardes’ strike in the first minute of second-half stoppage time marked the third time in 2018 – and second time in three matches – that Crew SC scored a game-winning goal beyond the 90th minute in regular-season action. Previously, Zardes converted a game-winning penalty kick in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time in a 3-2 home win against the Montreal Impact (March 10), and Wil Trapp scored from outside the box in the second minute of second-half stoppage time in a 3-2 home victory against Orlando City SC (July 21). Per the Elias Sports Bureau, Crew SC’s three game-winning goals in stoppage time are the most in MLS regular-season action in 2018. Similarly, the three goals have the Black & Gold tied for second place all-time in the list of most game-winning goals in second-half stoppage time in a single season since 2000, when stoppage time was adjusted.
GYASI ZARDES SCORES 14TH GOAL OF 2018 MLS REGULAR SEASON
Forward Gyasi Zardes scored his 14th goal of the 2018 MLS regular season in Saturday’s 1-0 home victory over the Houston Dynamo. Zardes’ game-winning strike came in the first minute of second half stoppage time when he received a ball over the top from Harrison Afful which he then put past Dynamo goalkeeper Joe Willis. In 2018, Zardes has made 24 regular-season appearances, with three of his 14 goals being game-winning goals, the most for Crew SC this season.
ZARDES ON THE VERGE OF A PERSONAL GOAL-SCORING MILESTONE
With 14 goals in 24 regular-season appearances in the 2018, Gyasi Zardes is now only two goals away from equaling his single-season career-high of 16 goals. Zardes tallied 16 goals in 32 regular-season appearances (24 starts) in 2014, his second season in MLS. The forward is also only two strikes away from reaching another milestone, as that would bring his career total to 50 regular-season goals. Zardes joined MLS in 2013 and has made 155 regular-season appearances (140 starts), scoring 48 goals and providing 17 assists.
HARRISON AFFUL REGISTERS FIFTH ASSIST OF 2018 MLS REGULAR SEASON
Harrison Afful recorded an assist in Saturday’s 1-0 home victory over the Houston Dynamo, as he provided the pass on Gyasi Zardes’ goal in the first minute of second half stoppage time. With the helper, the defender now has registered five assists through 23 regular-season appearances (all starts) in 2018, while also scoring one goal. Afful’s assist against Houston marked the third consecutive match in which he has registered an assist, following his helpers on Gyasi Zardes’ 51st-minute goal against Orlando City SC (July 21) and Patrick Mullins’ 24th-minute goal against the New York Red Bulls (July 28). Since joining the Black & Gold in 2015, Afful has made 85 regular-season appearances (82 starts), scoring four goals and providing 11 assists.
ZACK STEFFEN REGISTERS 25TH REGULAR-SEASON WIN SINCE JOINING CREW SC
With Saturday’s 1-0 home win over the Houston Dynamo, Zack Steffen has now recorded 25 regular-season wins since joining Crew SC in 2016. Over that span, Steffen has made 53 regular-season appearances (all starts), making 144 saves and recording 17 clean sheets. Additionally, Saturday’s shutout against the Dynamo brings Steffen’s total to eight clean sheets in 19 regular-season appearances (all starts) in 2018, just one shutout behind his 2017 – and MLS single-season career-high – regular-season total of nine clean sheets in 34 appearances (all starts).
JUSTIN MERAM MAKES FIRST APPEARANCE FOR CREW SC SINCE RETURNING TO THE CLUB
Justin Meram made his first appearance for Crew SC since returning to the club in Saturday’s match against the Houston Dynamo, coming in as a substitute for Mike Grella in the 60th minute of the match. The midfielder played 30 minutes, getting 22 touches and attempting 16 passes. Crew SC re-acquired Meram from Orlando City SC in a trade on August 3. Since making his MLS debut in 2011, Meram has made 205 MLS regular-season appearances (148 starts), scoring 38 goals and providing 36 assists. Saturday’s match also marked Meram’s 189th appearance overall for Crew SC.
ARGENTINE TRIO
Saturday’s home contest against the Houston Dynamo marked the first time that Argentine players Federico Higuain, Gaston Sauro and Milton Valenzuela played together for Crew SC in regular-season action. All three Argentines started the match against Houston, helping the Black & Gold register their eighth home victory of the 2018 MLS regular season. The last time that Higuain and Sauro played together in a regular-season match was during a regular-season road contest against Toronto FC on May 21, 2016.
HECTOR JIMENEZ NEARING MILESTONE 100TH REGULAR-SEASON APPEARANCE FOR CREW SC
Midfielder Hector Jimenez is on the verge of making his 100th regular-season appearance for Crew SC. Should Jimenez make an appearance against Atlanta United FC on Sunday, he would become one of only five players on the current roster to have made at least 100 regular-season appearances with the club along with Justin Meram (189), Federico Higuain (170), Wil Trapp (147) and Josh Williams (107). Since joining the Black & Gold in 2014, Jimenez has made 99 regular-season appearances (65 starts) while scoring one goal and providing 14 assists.
GYASI ZARDES ON THE VERGE OF MAKING 25TH REGULAR-SEASON APPEARANCE FOR CREW SC
Forward Gyasi Zardes, who joined Crew SC ahead of the 2018 MLS regular season, is on the verge of making his 25th regular-season appearance with the club. In 2018, Zardes has made 24 regular-season appearances for the Black & Gold, playing a team-high 2,138 minutes, taking 66 shots (30 on target) and scoring 14 goals.
