Tag Archives: Columbus Crew

Federico Higuain Re-Signs with Inter Miami CF 

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Federico Higuain is still bienvenido en Miami…

Inter Miami CF has re-signed the 36-year-old Argentine soccer player, a veteran midfielder, to a new contract for 2021.

Federico Higuain

Higuain appeared as a substitute in four matches with Miami last season after being traded from D.C. United on October 10, 2020 for $50,000 in 2021 general allocation money.

He has 57 goals and 63 assists in 207 career games (184 starts) in the Major League Soccer (MLS) with the Columbus Crew (2012-19), D.C. United and Miami. He was named the MLS Newcomer of the Year in 2012.

“It’s great to have Federico back,” Miami chief soccer officer and sporting director Chris Henderson said in a statement. “He is a valuable asset to the team not only because of what he can contribute to on the field, but also for what he brings to the locker room, which is experience, a positive attitude and professionalism to the group.”

Higuain’s younger brother, Gonzalo, is also on the Miami roster. The 33-year-old forward had one goal and two assists in nine games last season.

Josef Martinez Leads Atlanta United FC Into the MLS Eastern Conference Final

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Josef Martinez is kickin’ it into high gear…

The 25-year-old Venezuelan soccer player has helped put Atlanta United FC through to the MLS‘ Eastern Conference final.

Josef Martinez

Martinez scored twice, including on a penalty kick in the 25th minute, and host Atlanta defeated New York City FC 3-1 on Sunday to claim the home-and-home semifinal series by a 4-1 aggregate.

Atlanta held the edge in the tie after winning the first leg 1-0 last weekend at Yankee Stadium.

Martinez, who set an MLS record with 31 goals in the regular season, was awarded the penalty kick after NYCFC defender Ismael Tajouri-Shradi was called for taking down Atlanta’s Franco Escobar in the penalty area. Escobar drove the right wing to the end line and then tried to turn around, bumping into Tajouri-Shradi.

Josef Martinez

Martinez clinched the victory with a goal in the 83rd minute off a pass from Eric Remedi, who lobbed the ball over the NYCFC back line to spring Martinez. His 15-yard shot beat Johnson just inside the right post.

Atlanta will play either the New York Red Bulls or the Columbus Crew in the conference final.

Atlanta United’s Josef Martinez Matches Major League Soccer Record for Goals in a Season

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Josef Martinez is kicking his way into the MLS record books…

The 25-year-old Venezuelan soccer star has matched the Major League Soccer record for goals in a season with nine games remaining, as he scored his 27th of the year for Atlanta United on Sunday.

Josef Martinez

Martinez is on pace to blow past the league’s previous high, which was set by Roy Lassiter in the inaugural MLS season in 1996 and matched by Chris Wondolowski in 2012 and Bradley Wright-Phillips in 2014.

Martinez received a pass in the attacking third and made a run toward goal, turning a defender before curling a shot past Columbus Crew goalkeeper Zack Steffen from just inside the box to put his team ahead in the 31st minute.

The goal was his 46th in 45 career regular-season MLS games, and it broke the record he shared with David Villa for goals in a player’s first two seasons in the league.

All but one of Martinez’s goals have come from inside the 18-yard box, with his strike on Sunday from 17.8 yards the second-farthest he has scored in MLS since he signed from Torino last year.

Martinez broke the record in the 69th minute but his header went off the crossbar. Atlanta went on to win 3-1 to claim the best point total in MLS.

Martinez has scored in eight straight games, matching the second-longest streak in league history and one shy of the record Diego Valeri set with the Portland Timbers last year.

He’ll get the chance to extend his streak — and break the season goals record — on Friday at Orlando City, which has lost 13 of its last 15 games and has been outscored 43-18 in that span.