ColumbusCrewSC.com's Alex Stec contributed to this story.
When Crew SC announced Thursday's transaction — extending the club's longest-tenured current player, Justin Meram to a multi-year contract — a career of electrifying events and how-did-he-do-that highlights were simultaneously signed to continue for the Black & Gold for years to come. The Club's 2016 Most Valuable Player has numbers and records that immediately raise impressed eyebrows, and in celebration of his signing we've compiled some of the most memorable Meram moments:
Columbus' Favorite Son of Ann Arbor
Meram, a University of Michigan product, landed in the most un-Maize-and-Blue locales in America: Columbus and in the backyard of Ohio State University. On January 11, 2011, Meram was the 15th overall selection in the Major League SuperDraft in Baltimore.
Just more than a month later, Meram signed with Crew SC to begin his professional career with 17 appearances in his rookie season after debuting against Chivas USA on May 28, 2011.
Stoppage-time Assister
Meram's first MLS assist — the first of 27-and-counting — came against the one MLS club he has a knack for making history against: the New York Red Bulls.
On June 4, 2011, Meram made his signature sizzling sprint down the left wing before cutting into New York's 18-yard box. From there, while falling over, the rook slipped the ball into the stride of Rich Balchan at the penalty spot. Balchan finished it and all that was left to do was celebrate the stoppage-time equalizer.
Here are the full highlights, but the 2:42-mark is where the magic happens:
You Always Remember Your 1st
A litte more than 11 months later, now as a MLS sophomore, Meram delivered his first career goal. Now with 24 to his name, Meram's first ever — from more than 25-yards away — made quite the impression. At MAPFRE Stadium, against FC Dallas on May 12, 2012, Meram subbed into the match for the final 45 minutes.
Crew SC was trailing 1-0 upon his entrance, but that changed after a short 21 minutes. Meram lined up his long-range shot on Chris Seitz's goal, slotting the low-and-hard equalizer into the far post.
He wasn't done there, scoring twice more in his next two appearances, against San Jose and Seattle, respectively. He also notched the game-winning goal in the last minute on Sept. 19, 2012.
What a Year!
For Meram and — thus — Crew SC, 2015 was special. Meram started it off with a new contract (technically signed on Dec. 4, 2014, but was the springboard into the fantastically fun 2015 season) and spent the MLS season on a tear. He scored six goals, assisted five others, started 28 of his 31 total appearances and only missed time for international call-ups with Iraq.
He made his 100th career MLS appearance against then-expansion side Orlando City on May 30, 2015, and scored the game winner in that year's season opener against Toronto FC.
He wrote history on Nov. 22, 2015, and he did it with speed, style and grace. Just nine official seconds into the First Leg of the Eastern Conference Final against the all-too-familiar Red Bulls, Meram flew in to finish the fastest goal in MLS playoff history.
MAPFRE Stadium roared wildly before most supporters were even in their seats. With that start, Crew SC advanced to host MLS Cup — with Meram starting all five postseason matches in 2015.
Meram and Crew SC next face the Houston Dynamo on March 11 at 8:30 p.m. ET in Houston, Texas. The Black & Gold return home on March 25 to host the Portland Timbers for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff at MAPFRE Stadium.
