MERAM SCORES THE GAME-WINNING GOAL AGAINST NYCFC
Justin Meram scored his second goal of the 2018 MLS season in Crew SC’s 2-1 recent victory over New York City FC (September 1). The goal proved to be the game-winner, as the midfielder headed in a corner kick from Pedro Santos in the 63rd minute to give Crew SC a 2-1 lead. The strike marked Meram’s first goal since returning to Crew SC, as well as his 38th regular-season goal overall for the Black & Gold including his previous stint with the club from 2011-2017. Additionally, this was Meram’s 14th game-winning regular-season goal for Crew SC, the third most in club history behind only Jeff Cunningham (20) and Brian McBride (17).
MERAM MAKES 150TH START IN MLS REGULAR-SEASON ACTION
Justin Meram made his 150th MLS regular-season start in Crew SC’s home contest against New York City FC (September 1). Meram, who was first drafted by Crew SC during the 2011 MLS SuperDraft, is currently fifth in all-time regular-season appearances for the Black & Gold, behind only Chad Marshall (253), Mike Clark (221), Eddie Gaven (209) and Jeff Cunningham (203). This season, Meram has made four regular-season appearances (two starts) for Crew SC, scoring one goal. He registered 39 goals and 36 assists for the Black & Gold since making his MLS debut in 2011.
AFFUL SCORES HIS SECOND GOAL OF THE 2018 MLS REGULAR SEASON
Harrison Afful scored his second goal of the MLS regular season in the 61st minute of Crew SC’s match against New York City FC (September 1). The goal came when Afful volleyed a deflection from outside the 18-yard box into the back of the net. In 2018, the Ghanaian defender has appeared in 26 MLS regular-season matches (all starts), scoring two goals and providing five assists. Since joining the club in 2015, Afful has made 89 regular-season appearances (86 starts), tallying five goals and 11 assists.
WIL TRAPP MAKES 150TH REGULAR-SEASON APPEARANCE
Wil Trapp made his 150th MLS regular-season appearance in Crew SC’s 2-1 home victory over New York City FC (September 1). The midfielder registered 58 touches, attempted 49 passes and created one goal-scoring chance. In 2018, Trapp has made 23 regular-season appearances (all starts), scoring one goal and providing one assist. Since making his MLS debut in 2013, he has made 147 MLS regular-season starts, scoring two goals and providing 15 assists.
ZACK STEFFEN REACHES 150 REGULAR-SEASON SAVES WITH CREW SC
With his three saves in Crew SC’s recent home match against New York City FC (September 1), goalkeeper Zack Steffen reached – and surpassed – the 150-save mark in MLS regular-season action. The 23-year-old also recorded a win over NYCFC, his 10th of the 2018 regualar season, to go along with eight clean sheets. Since making his MLS debut in 2017, the keeper has made 56 regular-season appearances (all starts), recording 151 saves, 26 wins and 17 shutouts.
CREW SC HAS CONCEDED SECOND-FEWEST ROAD GOALS IN MLS DURING 2018 REGULAR SEASON
Through 27 regular-season matches in 2018, Crew SC is currently tied with Atlanta United for second-fewest goals conceded on the road, with 16. The Black & Gold sit behind only Seattle Sounders FC, who have allowed 15 goals while on the road. Similarly, Crew SC has conceded 34 goals overall in the 2018 regular season, the fifth-lowest number of goals in the League and third-lowest in the Eastern Conference.
ARTUR ON THE VERGE OF 50TH REGULAR-SEASON APPEARANCE
Midfielder Artur is on the verge of registering his 50th regular-season appearance with Crew SC. The Brazilian joined Crew SC ahead of the 2017 MLS regular season and has made 49 regular-season appearances (44 starts) since, registering five assists. In 2018, Artur has made 25 regular-season appearances (all starts) while providing two assists.
GYASI ZARDES NEARING TWO PERSONAL GOAL-SCORING MILESTONES
With 15 goals in 27 regular-season appearances in 2018, Gyasi Zardes is now only one goal 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 one strike away from bringing his MLS career total to 50 regular-season goals. Zardes joined MLS in 2013 and has made 158 regular-season appearances (143 starts), scoring 49 goals and providing 17 assists.
FIVE CREW SC PLAYERS EARN CAPS WITH THEIR NATIONAL TEAMS
The recent set of international matches saw five Crew SC players earn caps for their national teams. Harrison Afful featured for Ghana in a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier (September 8), coming in as a substitute in the 60th minute for the Black Stars to earn his 77th cap. Cristian Martinez earned his third cap with Panama, starting for Los Canaleros in a friendly against Venezuela (September 11). Zack Steffen, Wil Trapp and Gyasi Zardes all earned two caps for the U.S. Men’s National Team, playing in international friendlies against Brazil (September 7) and Mexico (September 11). Steffen and Trapp started in both contests, with Steffen registering a shutout in a 1-0 win over Mexico. Meanwhile, Zardes came in as a substitute for the Stars and Stripes against A Selecao, before starting against El Tri.
15 PLAYERS HAVE SCORED FOR CREW SC IN 2018 REGULAR SEASON
During the 2018 MLS regular season, Crew SC has had 15 different goal-scorers, the highest number of goal-scorers in a single season since Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter took over the club. In 2014, the Black & Gold scored 52 goals, with 12 different players tallying for the club; in 2015, Crew SC registered 58 goals, with eight different players scoring; in 2016, Columbus scored 50 goals through 11 different players; and in 2017, Crew SC scored 53 goals, with 11 different players registering at least one strike. This season, the Black & Gold have scored 35 goals, with 15 different players scoring one or more goals. The current club record for most goal-scorers in a single regular-season is 16, which was achieved in 1997.
