In what could be his final home game at MAPFRE Stadium, Columbus Crew SC fans honored Argentine talisman Federico Higuain with a Jimi Hendrix-inspired tifo before Saturday night’s game against D.C. United.
The 32-year-old Designated Player is approaching the end of his sixth season in the Ohio capital, a tenure that includes 48 goals and 45 assists as well as a run to the 2015 MLS Cup final. He is out of contract after the season ends.
In August, he told the Columbus Dispatch he would be leaving Crew SC following the season. More recently he has preferred to keep his public comments focused on the remainder of Columbus’ current season, rather than his future.
Josh Williams headed in Higuain’s corner kick for Columbus’ opening goal on Saturday night, and he played a part in the buildup that led to Justin Meram's belter after halftime. Additionally, Higuain looked to have unlocked D.C.’s back line with a through ball to create another goal later in the first half, but Ola Kamara was ruled offsides.
A late flourish from Higuain as a provider has seen him post one of his most productive MLS seasons, a year after injuries riddled his 2016 campaign. His 11 assists are a career high in MLS, and with 20 goals-plus-assists, he equals a total he posted in 2013, his first full MLS campaign. He's one goal away from scoring 10 or more times for a third MLS season.
