CREW SC EXTENDS UNBEATEN STREAK AT HOME TO SIX MATCHES
With a 0-0 draw against the Philadelphia Union this past Saturday, Crew SC extended its home-match undefeated streak to six consecutive matches, compiling a 5-0-1 record dating back to a 2-1 win over Real Salt Lake on June 30. In addition to drawing against the Union this past weekend and defeating Real Salt Lake earlier this season, the Black & Gold have also defeated Orlando City SC (July 21), the Houston Dynamo (August 11), New York City FC (September 1) and the Colorado Rapids (September 22) at home over that span.
STEFFEN REGISTERS 10TH REGULAR-SEASON SHUTOUT IN 2018
Zack Steffen recorded his 10th shutout of the 2018 MLS regular season in Saturday’s 0-0 draw with the Philadelphia Union. The clean sheet marked a single season MLS career-high for Steffen, as he surpassed his previous single season career-high of nine clean sheets, which he achieved in 2017. This season, Stffen has tallied 55 saves and 11 wins in regular-season action. Since making his MLS debut in 2017, Steffen has made 60 regular-season appearances (all starts), registering 153 saves, 27 wins and 19 shutouts.
STEFFEN COULD EQUAL CLUB RECORD FOR MOST SHUTOUTS IN A SINGLE SEASON
Following his shutout against the Philadelphia Union this past weekend, 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 on 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.
WIL TRAPP EARNS 150 REGULAR-SEASON STARTS FOR CREW SC
Wil Trapp earned his 150th regular-season start (154th appearance) for Crew SC in Saturday’s home contest against the Philadelphia Union. The captain registered 75 touches, attempted 66 passes with an 89.2 percent completion rate, made one tackle and created two goal-scoring chances on the night. This season, Trapp has made 27 regular-season appearances (26 starts), tallying one goal and one assist. Since making his MLS debut for Crew SC in 2013, Trapp has made 154 regular-season appearances, scoring two goals and providing 15 assists.
TRAPP: PASS MASTER
Since the start of the 2017 MLS regular-season, only three players have completed over 3,500 passes: Michael Bradley (4,033), Ilie Sanchez (3,823) and Wil Trapp (3,636). Of these three players, Trapp boasts the highest passing accuracy percentage with 89.01 percent. The midfielder also leads Crew SC in the following passing categories over that same span: attempted passes (4,085), successful passes (3,636), passes into the opponent’s half (2,067) and successful passes into the opponent’s half (1,745).
VALENZUELA NAMED TO MLSSOCCER.COM’S 22 UNDER 22
Defender Milton Valenzuela was recently ranked number 12 in MLSsoccer.com’s “22 Under 22”, which highlights the top 22 MLS players under the age of 22. Valenzuela joined Crew SC on loan as a Young Designated Player from Argentina toppflight side Newell’s Old Boys ahead of the 2018 MLS season. Since making his debut in Crew SC’s opening match against Toronto FC (March 3), he has gone on to make 27 regular-season appearances (26 starts), while scoring one goal and providing five assists. Along the way, Valenzuela has been named to MLSSoccer.com’s Team of the Week on four occasions, the second most out of any Black & Gold player this season.
VALENZUELA AMONG MOST ACCURATE CROSSERS IN MLS
Through 27 regular-season appearances in the 2018 MLS season, Milton Valenzuela is among the top crossers in MLS. Valenzuela’s 22 successful crosses from open play this season are tied with Nick Lima (San Jose Earthquakes) for first place among defenders. The Argentine’s crossing accuracy from open play (29.33 percent) is the highest among defenders who have attempted 50 or more crosses in regular-season action in 2018. Similarly, his 75 attempted crosses from open play rank third in the League among defenders.
ZACK STEFFEN AND WIL TRAPP EARN U.S. MNT CALL-UPS
Goalkeeper Zack Steffen and midfielder Wil Trapp recently received international call-ups from the United States Men’s National Team. The U.S. is set to face Colombia in a friendly match at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. on October 11 before facing Peru at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Conn. on October 16. Goalkeeper Zack Steffen has earned five caps with the U.S. Men’s National Team, with his latest cap coming in a friendly against Mexico on September 11, 2018. Crew SC captain Wil Trapp has represented the U.S. at the senior level on eight occasions. Most recently, Trapp wore the captain’s armband and played a full 90 minutes in the Americans’ 1-0 win over Mexico on September 11.
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 the Montreal Impact this Saturday, they would join the LA Galaxy (327 wins) and FC Dallas (304 wins) as one of only three clubs in MLS history to have won 300 or more regular-season matches.
MOHAMMED ABU JOINS VALERENGA FOTBALL ON A PERMANENT TRANSFER
Columbus Crew SC announced on Thursday that it had agreed to a permanent transfer of midfielder Mohammed Abu to Valerenga Fotball of Norway’s First Division. Abu had previously been on a season-long loan with the Norwegian side since August 10. The midfielder was signed by Crew SC on January 24, 2017 and made 24 regular-season appearances (14 starts) for the Black & Gold while providing one assist. He also made three appearances (two starts) in the 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs, helping the Black & Gold reach the Eastern Conference Championship.
CREW SC COULD CLINCH A SPOT IN AUDI 2018 MLS CUP PLAYOFFS
Crew SC is on the verge of clinching a spot in the Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs. Should the Black & Gold win or draw against the Montreal Impact on Saturday, they 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.
