Led by Gyasi Zardes’ 50th career MLS regular-season goal and career-tying 16th goal of the year, Columbus Crew SC’s 2-1 win over the Colorado Rapid featured milestone achievements for multiple members of the Black & Gold.
Midfielder Ricardo Clark, who subbed on in the 67th minute for Artur, made his 350th career MLS regular-season appearance. Since making his MLS debut in 2003, Clark has made 325 regular-season starts, notching 36 goals and 28 assists, This season for Crew SC, Clark has made eight starts on 13 regular-season appearances, tallying one goal and one assist.
Midfielder Federico Higuain, who notched the game-winner in the 57th minute and assisted on Zardes’ game-opening goal, registered his 175th regular-season appearance for Columbus and moved into fourth-place all-time in Crew SC history for most game-winning goals (12).
Defender Jonathan Mensah reached 50 MLS regular-season appearances during Saturday’s victory, where he won 75 percent of his duels and completed 92 percent of his passes. Since joining Crew SC in 2017, Mensah has made 48 regular-season starts, scoring three goals and providing one assist.
Defender Milton Valenzuela, who created three chances in the win over Colorado and provided the deflection which led to Higuain’s game-winner, made his 25th regular-season start. Valenzuela joined Crew SC in 2018 as a young designated player from Newell’s Old Boys and has recorded one goal and four assists in 26 regular-season appearances this year.
Up next, Crew SC hosts the fifth-place Philadelphia Union on Saturday, Sept. 29, at 7:30 p.m. ET at MAPFRE Stadium as both sides continue to battle for playoff contention with four regular-season matches remaining.
