Week 10 of Major League Soccer's regular-season saw Crew SC shine defensively against Seattle Sounders FC. The two teams split points in a scoreless draw at CenturyLink Field, with Columbus limited to 10-men for nearly 75 minutes.
The shutout landed two defenders on MLSsoccer.com’s Team of the Week: Lalas Abubakar(defender) and Milton Valenzuela (bench).
Abubakar was a key player in Saturday’s match. The defender solidified the backline and was a major factor in Columbus retuning home with a point thanks to a vital goal-line clearance to deny Seattle striker Will Bruin. Abubakar played the full 90 minutes and finished with six interceptions, four clearances and 25 successful passes.
Valenzuela has made an impact on the pitch in his first season with Crew SC, scoring a goal and dishing two assists from a defensive position. The Young Designated Player was close to scoring a second career goal for Columbus with a shot that went just over the bar in the first half. Valenzuela played the full 90 minutes and finished with six interceptions, four tackles, 25 successful passes and the one shot from inside the box.
Crew SC's 2018 MLSsoccer.com Team of the Week honorees:
Week 1: Lalas Abubakar (D), Federico Higuain (M), Milton Valenzuela (D)
Week 2: Gyasi Zardes (F - Bench)
Week 3: N/A
Week 4: Gregg Berhalter (coach), Federico Higuain (M), Cristian Martinez (M), Pedro Santos (M - bench), Milton Valenzuela (D)
Week 5: N/A
Week 6: N/A
Week 7: N/A
Week 8: N/A
Week 9: Mike Grella (M - bench)
Week 10: Lalas Abubakar (D), Milton Valenzuela (D - bench)
