CREW SC EXTENDs UNBEATEN RUN TO 5
With its 3-0 win over the Chicago Fire at MAPFRE Stadium this past Saturday, Crew SC extended its undefeated streak to five consecutive matches in regular-season action. The streak dates back to a 2-2 home draw against the New England Revolution (April 21). Since then, the Black & Gold have posted a record of 3-0-2, while outscoring opponents 8-3 in the 2018 MLS regular season. In addition to defeating Chicago and drawing against New England, Crew SC 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); and defeated the Philadelphia Union 1-0 at home (May 9).
3 CONSECUTIVE SHUTOUTS
Crew SC’s 3-0 win over the Chicago Fire on Saturday ensured that the Black & Gold registered their third consecutive shutout and their fifth shutout of the 2018 MLS regular season. The last time the club accomplised this feat was a string of four consecutive shutouts from March 26, 2011 to April 16, 2011. This year, Crew SC has recorded shutouts in a 2-0 road victory over Toronto FC (March 3); in a 0-0 draw on the road against the Philadelphia Union; in a 0-0 draw on the road against Seattle Sounders FC (May 5); and in a 1-0 home victory over the Philadelphia Union (May 9).
STEFFEN GETS 5TH CLEAN SHEET
Zack Steffen registered his fifth shutout of the 2018 MLS regular season in Saturday’s 3-0 win over the Chicago Fire at MAPFRE Stadium. Steffen recorded four saves on the night – a 2018 MLS regular-season personal single-match high – en route to earning his third consecutive clean sheet. In 2018, Steffen has made 11 regular-season appearances (all starts), while registering 20 saves and five shutouts. Since joining the Black & Gold in 2016, Steffen has made 45 regular-season appearances (all starts), recording 118 saves and 14 shutouts.
ZARDES SCORES 2 VS. CHICAGO
Forward Gyasi Zardes registered his second brace of the 2018 MLS regular season in Saturday’s 3-0 win over the Chicago Fire. Zardes scored in the 49th minute, tapping in a low cross from Niko Hansen. Zardes made it a brace in the 70th minute, when he finished from the edge of the box after being set up by a Mike Grella dummy. Zardes’ performance earned him a MLSSoccer.com’s Team of the Week, and Alcatel Player of the Week honors. In 2018, Zardes has made 12 regular-season appearances (all starts), scoring eight goals. Since joining MLS in 2013, Zardes has made 143 regular-season appearances (128 starts), registering 42 goals and 17 assists.
ZARDES TIED FOR GOLDEN BOOT LEAD
With his brace against the Chicago Fire on Saturday, forward Gyasi Zardes brought his 2018 MLS regular season total to eight goals and jumped to the top of the MLS Golden Boot chart, alongside Atlanta United FC’s forward Josef Martinez. For a list of the top goalscorers in the 2018 MLS regular season, please see the table below.
MLS TOP SCORERS IN 2018 REGULAR SEASON
Player — G
T1. Gyasi Zardes (CLB) — 8
T1. Josef Martinez (ATL) — 8
T3. Miguel Almiron (ATL) — 6
T3. Dom Dwyer (ORL) — 6
T3. B. Wright-Phillips (NY) — 6
T3. Carlos Vela (LAFC) — 6
HIGUAIN: PENALTY KICK MASTER
With his penalty kick goal against the Chicago Fire on Saturday, Federico Higuain brought his all-time penalty kick goals total to 18 in MLS regular-season action since making his debut for Crew SC on August 19, 2012. Higuain is tied with David Villa of New York City FC for most penalty kick goals in the League since that date. Additionally, Higuain also leads Crew SC in all-time regular-season penalty kick goals, having scored four more goals than the next closest player, Guillermo Barros Schelotto (14). In 2018, Higuain has scored two penalty kick goals, converting both of his attempts.
HIGUAIN AMONG TOP PLAYMAKERS
Through 12 matches in the 2018 MLS regular season, Federico Higuain sits on top of the League in goal-scoring chances created, including assists. Per Opta, Higuain has created 38 goal-scoring chances since the beginning of the season, including four assists. In addition to creating these goal-scoring chances, the midfielder has also scored three goals to bring his 2018 output to three goals and four assists in 12 regular-season appearances (11 starts). For a list of the MLS leaders in the goal-scoring chances category, see the table below.
MOST GOAL-SCORING CHANCES CREATED IN MLS
Player — Chances
1. Federico Higuaín (CLB) — 38
2. Albert Rusnak (RSL) — 35
3. Diego Fagundez (NE) — 34
4. Max. Moralez (NYC) — 30
5. Miguel Almiron (ATL) — 27
6. Carlos Vela (LFC) — 26
7. Ilie Sanchez (SKC) — 24
8. Mauro Diaz (DAL) — 23
T9. Marco Urena (LAFC) — 22
T9. Sacha Kljestan (ORL) — 22
