One has scored 25 goals and is an MVP candidate this year; the other is one of Major League Soccer's most speedy delivery guys and a dangerous goal scorer on top. Together, they are the most dynamic duo in Crew SC history.
We're talking, of course, about Kei Kamara and Ethan Finlay. The two MLS All-Stars have been tearing up defenses all year, and, no surprise here, have just been named to the MLS Best XI.
Let's take a closer look at their accomplishments this season.
The Dynamic Duo
To fully understand the impact Kamara and Finlay have had this season, you just need one statistic. The duo tallied a combined 55 goals and assists during the regular season. That is by far the most ever combined goals and assists by a Black & Gold duo in a single season.
And Finlay (12 goals, 13 assists) and Kamara (22 goals, eight assists) didn't stop there. Kamara added three more goals during the playoffs, while FInlay scored one during the postseason.
Both Kamara and Finlay scored their most important goals of the season vs. the Montreal Impact during the Second Leg of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Finlay's goal kept Crew SC's season alive, taking the match into extra time, where Kamara headed home the series-winning goal. Watch:
Finlay's Fireworks
Just how outstanding was Ethan Finlay's season? It was unparralled in Crew SC history. Only one other player in Black & Gold, Jeff Cunningham, ever reached double digits in both goal and assists in a single season. But Finlay scored two more goals while matching Cunningham's 13 assists.
League-wide, Finlay's season was also one of the best. Only three other players (Sebastian Giovinco, Benny Feilhaber and Clint Dempsey) also reached double figures in both goals and assists. The midfielder had one of his best matches in the 2-1 win against the Red Bulls on July 4, when he set off fireworks with a brace:
#KEI4MVP
Tied for most goals during the regular season. Top goal scorer in the playoffs. MVP finalists. Humanitarian of the Year. Kei Kamara has had a pretty good year. Correction, Kamara has had an incredible year. On top of his 25 goals, here are a few other notable stats:
1) Kamara's regular-season totals of 135 shots, 57 shots on goal and seven game-winning goals set new all-time single-season club records.
2) Kamara’s 22 non-penalty goals led MLS by three goals over Sebastian Giovinco. In Major League Soccer history, only three other players have recorded more non-penalty goals.
3) Kamara finished just one behind Stern John’s 1998 campaign for the most combined goals and assists in one regular season (John: 26-5--31, Kamara: 22-8--30).
But stats don't really tell the full story. To appreciate Kamara is to watch his goals and goal celebrations. Enjoy!
