For the third week running, Columbus Crew SC saw at least one player earn MLSsoccer.com Team of the Week honors. In Week 5's Team of the Week, midfielder Justin Meram earned the recognition while midfielder Artur and Homegrown defender Alex Crognale both earned mentions on the bench.
Meram scored in both halves of Crew SC's 2-0 victory over Orlando City SC on April 1 at MAPFRE Stadium. The Iraqi international's brace brought his career total to 27 regular-season goals advancing him into a tie with Ola Kamara atop the team's scoring list with three apiece. He ranks 11th on the all-time regular-season goal-scoring list for Crew SC.
Artur, in his first season with Crew SC in MLS, played in a box-to-box role in Columbus' midfield. He assisted Meram's first goal with a slidiing ball. He linked with his teammates in both halves of the field, successfully passing inside Orlando's half 21 times, and 31 times inside Crew SC's half. He won three tackles, made three interceptions and successfully passed seven times inside the attacking third.
Crognale made his second MLSsoccer.com Team of the Week this season, this time in his MAPFRE Stadium debut as a starter. He made seven clearances and completed 50 successful passes in the shutout victory.
Crew SC next visits the Chicago Fire on April 8 in Bridgeview for a 2 p.m. showdown. The two teams have met once already this season, resulting in a 1-1 draw at MAPFRE Stadium in the season opener on March 4. The game can be viewed on Spectrum Sports, ABC-6, and BCSN2 in Ohio or nationally via MLS Live.
The Black & Gold then return home for the first leg of the Trillium Cup against Toronto FC on April 15 for an 8 p.m. kickoff at MAPFRE Stadium.
