3RD SHUTOUT OF 2018 MLS REGULAR SEASON
With the 0-0 draw against Seattle Sounders FC in Saturday’s road contest, Crew SC recorded its third shutout of the 2018 MLS regular season. The Black & Gold had previously earned clean sheets against Toronto FC (March 3) in a 2-0 win at BMO Field, as well as against the Philadelphia Union (March 17) in a 0-0 draw at Talen Energy Stadium.
STEFFEN'S 3RD CLEAN SHEET OF 2018
Zack Steffen registered his third shutout of the 2018 MLS regular season in Saturday’s 0-0 draw against Seattle at CenturyLink Field. Steffen recorded one save against Seattle, denying Clint Dempsey from point blank range in the 73rd minute to maintain a clean sheet for the Black & Gold. In 2018, Steffen has made nine regular-season appearances (all starts), while registering 13 saves and three shutouts. Since joining the Black & Gold in 2016, Steffen has made 43 regular-season appearances (all starts), recording 111 saves and 12 shutouts.
SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC LIMITED TO 1 SHOT ON TARGET
Saturday’s 0-0 draw against Seattle Sounders FC saw Crew SC’s backline allow just one shot on target during the entire match. Despite the fact that Sounders FC had 17 total shots while playing up a man following the ejection of Pedro Santos in the 15th minute, only one of those shots was on target. Saturday’s match saw the Black & Gold make 39 clearances – a 2018 regular-season high – and block three shots while goalkeeper Zack Steffen made one save en route to earning Crew SC its third shutout of the 2018 MLS regular season.
MOHAMMED ABU MAKES 25TH APPEARANCE
Midfielder Mohammed Abu made his 25th regular-season appearance for Crew SC in Saturday’s 0-0 draw against Seattle Sounders FC, coming into the match as a substitute for Ricardo Clark in the 66th minute. Abu went on to make two tackles, get 22 touches and make nine passes. In 2018, Abu has made four regular-season appearances. Since joining the Black & Gold in 2017, Abu has made 25 regular-season appearances (14 starts), while registering one assist.
VALENZUELA LEADS TACKLES AGAINST SEATTLE
Saturday’s match against Seattle Sounders FC saw defender Milton Valenzuela lead Crew SC with six tackles on the day, four more than any other player on either team. The match marked the second time this season that Valenzuela performed more than five tackles, with the Argentine having previously made seven tackles against the Chicago Fire on April 7. Additionally, Valenzuela’s six tackles are tied with Pedro Santos’ output against the San Jose Earthquakes on April 28 for third-most tackles in a single-match by any Black & Gold player during the 2018 MLS regular season. Overall, Valenzuela’s six tackles accounted for over a third of Crew SC’s 16 tackles against Seattle Sounders FC.
HIGUAIN LEADS MULTIPLE CATEGORIES AGAINST SEATTLE
Midfielder Federico Higuain led Crew SC in multiple categories in Saturday’s match against Seattle Sounders FC. The Argentine, who played the full 90 minutes, led the Black & Gold in chances created (two), touches (65) and total passes (58). Additionally, the playmaker performed two tackles, tying with Hector Jimenez, Cristian Martinez and Mohammed Abu for second-most tackles for the Black & Gold on the day. In 2018, Federico Higuain has made 10 regular-season appearances (all starts), scoring two goals and providing two assists. Since joining the Black & Gold in 2012, Higuain has made 159 regular-season appearances (154 starts), while registering 50 goals and 53 assists.
HIGUAIN AMONG TOP PLAYMAKERS IN MLS
Through 10 matches in the 2018 MLS regular season, Federico Higuain sits third in the League in goal-scoring chances created, including assists. Per Opta, Higuain has created 30 goal-scoring chances since the beginning of the season, including four assists, which puts him behind only Diego Fagundez (New England Revolution) and Albert Rusnak (Real Salt Lake). In addition to creating these goal-scoring chances, the midfielder has also scored two goals to bring his 2018 output to two goals and four assists in 10 regular-season appearances (all starts).
MOST GOAL-SCORING CHANCES CREATED IN MLS IN 2018
Player — Chances
1. Diego Fagundez (NE) — 33
2. Albert Rusnak (RSL) — 31
3. Federico Higuaín (CLB)— 30
4. Max. Moralez (NYC) — 28
5. Marco Urena (LFC) — 22
6. Nicolas Lodeiro (SEA) — 21
T6. Graham Zusi (SKC) — 21
T8. Yoshimar Yotun — 19
T8. Mauro Diaz (DAL) — 19
T8. Ilie Sanchez (SKC) — 19
T8. Magnus Eriksson (SJ) — 19
T8. Sacha Kljestan (ORL) — 19
BLACK & GOLD GOALS: BY THE NUMBERS
Player— Total Goals— Right Footed Goals— Left Footed Goals— Headed Goals
Gyasi Zardes — 5 — 5 — 0 — 0
Federico Higuain — 2 — 2 — 0 — 0
Harrison Afful — 1 — 1 — 0 — 0
Ricardo Clark — 1 — 0 — 0 — 1
Mike Grella — 1 — 1 — 0 — 0
Pedro Santos — 1 — 0 — 1 — 0
Milton Valenzuela — 1 — 0 — 1 — 0
Total Goals — 12 — 9 — 2 — 1
