CREW SC ON A NINE-MATCH UNDEFEATED STREAK IN MLS REGULAR-SEASON ACTION
Saturday’s 1-1 draw at home against the New York Red Bulls ensured that Crew SC extended its undefeated streak to nine consecutive regular-season matches. The streak dates back to a 2-2 draw on April 21 against the New England Revolution. Since then, the Black & Gold have posted a record of 4-0-5, outscoring their opponents 13-7. In addition to drawing against the Red Bulls, Crew SC drew against the New England Revolution at home (April 21); defeated the San Jose Earthquakes 2-1 at home (April 28); played Seattle Sounders FC to a 0-0 draw on the road (May 5); defeated the Philadelphia Union 1-0 at home (May 9); defeated the Chicago Fire 3-0 at home (May 12); defeated New England 1-0 on the road (May 19); drew against Sporting Kansas City 0-0 on the road (May 27); and drew 3-3 against Toronto FC at home (June 2).
BLACK & GOLD CONTINUE SCORING STREAK AT HOME
With Gyasi Zardes’ 27th-minute goal in Saturday’s home contest against the New York Red Bulls, Crew SC extended its regular-season home goal-scoring streak to 16 consecutive matches, dating back to a 1-0 victory over the Philadelphia Union at MAPFRE Stadium on July 22, 2017. Over that span, the Black & Gold have compiled a regular-season winning record of 11-1-4 at home, outscoring opponents 33-17. In 2018, Crew SC has a regular-season home record of 5-1-3 while outscoring opponents 21-12.
GYASI ZARDES REMAINS IN THE MLS GOLDEN BOOT RACE
With his goal against the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, forward Gyasi Zardes brought his 2018 MLS regular season total to 10 goals and is now in second place of the MLS Golden Boot chart, behind Atlanta United FC’s forward Josef Martinez (13 goals). For a list of the top goal-scorers in the 2018 MLS regular season, please see the table below.
GYASI ZARDES REACHES 10 GOALS IN A SINGLE MLS REGULAR-SEASON FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2014
Gyasi Zardes scored his 10th goal of the 2018 MLS regular season in Saturday’s 1-1 draw against the New York Red Bulls, marking the first time the forward has registered 10 strikes in a single regular-season since scoring 16 goals in 2014. Additionally, with his goal on Saturday, Zardes has now scored in four consecutive MLS regular-season home matches. The goal-scoring streak began in a 1-0 home victory against the Philadelphia Union (May 9) and continued through matches against the Chicago Fire (May 12) where he recorded a brace in the 3-0 victory, and against Toronto FC (June 2) where he scored a goal in the 3-3 draw.
HIGUAIN AMONG ASSIST LEADERS IN 2018 MLS REGULAR SEASON
Midfielder Federico Higuain recorded his seventh assist of the 2018 MLS regular season in Saturday’s 1-1 draw against the New York Red Bulls. Higuain was awarded a secondary assist on Gyasi Zardes’ 27th-minute goal, when he played a ball to Harrison Afful, who then sent in the cross that Gyasi Zardes headed into the back of the net. Higuain’s seven assists in the 2018 MLS regular season tie him with Vancouver Whitecaps FC’s Alphonso Davies for third-most in the League this season, behind only the Red Bulls’ Alejandro Romero Gamarra (nine assists) and FC Dallas’ Mauro Diaz (eight assists).
FEDERICO HIGUAIN AMONG TOP PLAYMAKERS IN MLS
Through 16 matches in the 2018 MLS regular season, Federico Higuain leads the League in goal-scoring chances created, including assists. Per Opta, Higuain has created 52 goal-scoring chances since the beginning of the season, including seven assists, more than any other player in the League. In addition to creating these goal-scoring chances, the midfielder has also scored four goals to bring his 2018 output to four goals and seven assists in 15 regular-season appearances (14 starts).
HARRISON AFFUL MAKES 75TH REGULAR-SEASON APPEARANCE FOR CREW SC, REGISTERS FIRST ASSIST OF 2018 MLS REGULAR SEASON
Harrison Afful made his 75th MLS regular-season start in Saturday’s home contest against the New York Red Bulls. Additionally, Afful registered an assist in the 27th-minute of the match, as the Ghanaian defender provided the cross on Gyasi Zardes’ goal. The helper was Afful’s first regular-season assist since a road match against Atlanta United on June 17, 2017. Afful was named to MLSSoccer.com’s Team of the Week following his performance. Since joining Crew SC in 2015, Afful has made 78 regular-season appearances (75 starts), scoring four goals (one this season) and providing seven assists (one this season).
