Opponent watch: Columbus on a roll
Montreal Impact supporters have been privy to some incredible individual performances over recent weeks that have helped propel the first year team into playoff contention and in the top 10 of the MLS Power Rankings.
WATCH: Crew steal three points vs PHI
However, as the Impact keeps winning games, the Columbus Crew has managed to keep pace, thanks to some outstanding individual performances of their own.
The black and yellow recently unveiled its newest signing, Designated Player Federico Higuain. Older brother of Real Madrid star forward and Argentine international Gonzalo, Higuain has started his MLS career off with a bang.
In four games played, he’s tallied three goals and four assists, including a brace in last weekend’s 4-3 win over the New England Revolution.One of those goals has been nominated for the AT&T Goal of the Week, alongside the effort by Impact DP Marco Di Vaio in Saturday’s 3-1 win over D.C. United. Higuain also set up both goal in Wednesday’s 2-1 win over Philadelphia at PPL Park.
The Crew has gone undefeated since he made his debut, winning three games.
Similarly, midsummer addition Jairo Arrieta has also brought immediate dividends. The Costa Rican forward has played in nine games for the Crew, scoring five times and adding two assists. Like his teammate, he too scored twice in the win on Saturday and one of his markers has also been nominated for the goal of the week title. His team has gone 5-2-2 since he donned the yellow jersey for the first time.
In just a short amount time, Arrieta and Higuain have reshaped the Crew’s stagnant offence, becoming the team’s second and third leading goal scorers in 2012.
The Crew scored just 31 goals this season, eight of those belonging to its new dynamic duo.
With the Impact bringing their five consecutive victories into Crew Stadium, and a potential playoff spot on the line, Saturday’s matchup should be a good one.
The Crew is tied on points with the Impact with three games in hand.
Catch it live Saturday on TVA Sports or on illico mobile, illico web and MLS Live at 7:30pm (ET).
