Looking for redemption after a mid-season loss at Yankee Stadium, Columbus Crew SC found its path forward last Saturday thanks to goals from Harrison Afful and Justin Meram, as each earned a spot on MLSsoccer.com's Team of the Week for Week 27 following their efforts in the Black & Gold's 2-1 comeback victory on Sept. 1 at MAPFRE Stadium.
After a driving play from NYCFC that resulted in the opening goal of the match, Columbus was quick to respond when Afful got ahold of the ball in the 61st minute. A blocked first attempt was rebounded directly back to the defender who nailed a 25-yard shot to the lower right corner. The goal was the second of the season for Afful. Afful finished the match with 33 passes, two interceptions and one goal.
Afful's goal is also nominated for MLSsoccer.com's AT&T Goal of the Week for Week 27. Voting ends on Wednesday at midnight PT and fans can vote here.
Two minutes after Afful’s equalizer, Meram put Columbus ahead with his first goal since rejoining the Black & Gold. Meram came through on a corner kick from Pedro Santos and buried a header to give the home side a 2-1 advantage. Meram finished the match with 40 successful passes, three shots on goal and one goal.
Up next, Crew SC receives a bye week before heading west to face FC Dallas on Saturday, Sept. 15 at Toyota Stadium with kickoff slated for 8 p.m. ET.
Columbus' next home match takes place on Saturday, Sept. 22 at MAPFRE Stadium, against the Colorado Rapids as part of Hispanic Heritage Night, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
Crew SC's 2018 MLSsoccer.com’s Team of the Week honorees:
Week 1: Lalas Abubakar (D), Federico Higuain (M), Milton Valenzuela (D)
Week 2: Gyasi Zardes (F - Bench)
Week 3: N/A
Week 4: Gregg Berhalter (coach), Federico Higuain (M), Cristian Martinez (M), Pedro Santos (M - bench), Milton Valenzuela (D)
Week 5: N/A
Week 6: N/A
Week 7: N/A
Week 8: N/A
Week 9: Mike Grella (M - bench)
Week 10: Lalas Abubakar (D), Milton Valenzuela (D - bench)
Week 11: Gregg Berhalter (coach), Gyasi Zardes (F), Zack Steffen (GK - bench)
Week 12: Jonathan Mensah (D)
Week 13: Artur (M), Josh Williams (D)
Week 14: Federico Higuain (M)
Week 15: Harrison Afful (D)
Week 16: N/A
Week 17: N/A
Week 18: Eduardo Sosa (M)
Week 19: N/A
Week 20: N/A
Week 21: Wil Trapp (M)
Week 22: Harrison Afful (D), Patrick Mullins (F - bench)
Week 24: Gyasi Zardes (F), Federico Higuain (M - bench), Milton Valenzuela (D- bench)
Week 25: N/A
Week 26: N/A
Week 27: Harrison Afful (D), Justin Meram (M - bench)
