Though it was Federico Higuaín that stole the show once again with his second-consecutive brace and highlight reel chip, the sentiment around the Crew locker room following Saturday's 2-0 win to retain the Trillium Cup was one of selflessness as the players and coaches each called the win a "team victory."
In addition to Higuaín's efforts, Matt Lampson and the Black & Gold backline recorded its second shutout in a row to help the Crew to winning consecutive games all season.
"This group is very solid, the entire team," Head Coach Robert Warzycha said after the match. "I think everybody is defending, that's basically the key to success."
Added Lampson: "This shutout and the shutout last game goes to [team defending] just as much as it goes to me. The confidence we have in each other shows on the field."
At the center of it all, even Barbasol Man of the Match Higuaín credited his teammates with the win.
"This is a team win," the Argentine said through a translator. "I like the functioning of the team right now and I hope to keep going down this path.
"Since I've been here, I've always said the same thing 'It's 18 players that get together on the day of the game, 30 players who train during the week, 11 players who come out on the pitch.' The responsibility falls on the whole team. It's the whole team that gets these victories."
As for Higuaín, he's scored four games over his last two matches to breathe life back into the Crew. With 10 matches left in the season, the Black & Gold sit seven points from a spot in the playoffs following the win.
"As long as mathematical possibilities are there, we're going to keep fighting," Higuaín said. "The beginning of the [season] obviously hasn't been easy, but as long as the possibilities are there, we're going to keep fighting to the end."
