CREW SC COULD CLINCH SPOT IN AUDI 2018 MLS CUP PLAYOFFS
Crew SC is on the verge of clinching a spot in the Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs. The Black & Gold could clinch a spot in the playoffs should one of the following happen: (1) Crew SC wins against Orlan- do City SC on Sunday; (2) the Montreal Impact draws against Toron- to FC on Sunday; or (3) the Montreal Impact loses against Toronto FC on Sunday. Should this happen, Crew SC would be assured of finishing no lower than sixth place in the Eastern Conference. Final postseason seeding will be determined in the coming weeks as Crew SC concludes the regular season along with all other MLS clubs.
CREW SC UNDEFEATED AGAINST ORLANDO CITY SC IN REGULAR- SEASON ACTION SINCE 2015
Crew SC is undefeated against Orlando City SC in regular-season action since 2015. The Black & Gold last lost against the Lions during a road contest at Orlando Citrus Bowl on August 1, 2015. Since then, Crew SC has posted a regular-season record of 4-0-2 against Orlando City, outscoring the Lions 13-5.
STEFFEN COULD EQUAL CLUB RECORD FOR MOST SHUTOUTS IN A SINGLE SEASON
Following his shutout against the Philadelphia Union on Septem- ber 29, goalkeeper Zack Steffen is now only one clean sheet away from equaling the Crew SC club record for most shutouts in a single regular season. The current record was set by William Hesmer in 2011, when he registered 11 shutouts. Zack Steffen is currently tied with Jon Busch (2004) and William Hesmer (2008) for second place in the list of most shutouts in a single season for Crew SC. Steffen’s nine shutouts last season also earned him the fifth-place spot on that same list.
ZACK STEFFEN TIES U.S. MNT RECORD FOR MOST CAPS BY A GOALKEEPER IN DEBUT YEAR
Zack Steffen earned his sixth cap of the year for the U.S. Men’s National Team in an international friendly against Colombia on Oc- tober 11, tying a U.S. record for most caps earned in a debut year by a goalkeeper for the National Team. Steffen’s sixth appearance of the year ties him with Kasey Keller (1990) and Troy Perkins (2009). Additionally, Steffen is 2-2-2 in his six starts for the Stars and Stripes, including three shutouts. Steffen’s latest clean sheet came on Sept. 11 in a friendly against Mexico, as the U.S. defeated El Tri 1-0, marking the MNT’s first shutout in the storied rivalry since 2015.
CREW SC NEARING 300TH ALL-TIME REGULAR SEASON WIN
Crew SC currently has 299 regular-season victories dating back to the inaugural 1996 MLS season. Should the Black & Gold defeat Orlando City SC on Sunday, they would join the LA Galaxy (327 wins), FC Dallas (305 wins) and the New York Red Bulls (300) as one of only four clubs in MLS history to have won 300 or more regular- season matches.
