Federico Higuaín

MLS Experience

2019:  In his final season with Columbus, Higuaín made 14 appearances (13 starts) before his season was cut short due to injury.  In limited action, the 35-year-old displayed his playmaking ability with five assists and 28 chances created. In the match against LA Galaxy on May 8,  Higuaín recorded an assist and scored his only goal of the season to help Columbus to a 3-1 victory at Mapfre Stadium. The veteran midfielder was named to MLS Team of the Week for his performance.  Higuaín tore his ACL in the 67th minute against Colorado on May 25, which sidelined him for the remainder of the season.  

2018: In the 2018 season opener against Toronto FC on March 3, Higuaín celebrated his 150th regular season appearance with a goal while helping his team to a 2-0 victory.  In his next match, the midfielder scored another goal in the 3-2 victory over Montreal on March 10. In the match against the Colorado Rapids on Sept. 22, the playmaker scored a goal and recorded an assist to lead his team to a 2-0 victory.  Higuaín finished the regular season with six goals and nine assists in 30 appearances (27 starts). Higuaín made his 15th career playoff appearance for Columbus in the defeat against the New York Red Bulls on Nov. 11.  

2017: After Columbus had a down year in 2016, the Argentine helped them bounce back and had a career-year in 2017.  Higuaín recorded four multi-assist games in the regular season including his first career three assist performance in the 3-2 victory over the New York Red Bulls on Sept. 23.  In his sixth MLS season, the veteran midfielder finished with nine goals and a career-high 14 assists in 26 appearances (all starts) while helping lead Columbus back to the postseason.  In the opening match of the second round in the Eastern Conference Playoffs, Higuaín recorded two assists and helped the Crew advance to the Eastern Conference finals where they were defeated by Toronto FC.    

2016:  In his fifth MLS season Higuaín scored the opening goal of the season for the Crew in a 2-1 defeat against the Portland Timbers on March 6.  Higuaín’s first assist in 2016 came during a 1-1 draw against FC Dallas on April 2. The midfielder recorded the seventh multi-goal game of his career in a 4-4 tie against Montreal on May 7. Higuaín finished the season with four goals and three assists in 20 appearances (18 starts).

2015:  In 2015, Higuaín made a career-high 32 appearances (all starts) for Columbus and continued to add to his impressive MLS resume.  Higuaín was once again in the top five in MLS with 76 chances created, while adding eight goals and nine assists. The midfielder was a standout performer for Columbus and helped them reach the playoffs for the second season in a row.  In the playoffs, Higuaín continued his form recording a goal and an assist in the first round against the Montreal Impact. After helping his team advance past the first round, Higuaín started both matches in the Eastern Conference Finals, where Columbus defeated the New York Red Bulls 2-1 on aggregate.  In the MLS Cup Final, Higuaín recorded an assist for the Crew’s only goal, though they lost the match 2-1 against Portland on Dec. 6.

2014: Higuaín followed up his first full season in MLS with another impressive campaign in 2014.  After missing out on the playoffs in his first two seasons, Higuaín was instrumental in helping Columbus return to the postseason.  The playmaker scored the most goals on the team with 11 and recorded the most assists with seven. In 2014, Higuaín also created the fourth most chances in MLS with 88.  In his first playoff appearance the midfielder recorded a goal, against New England on Nov. 9, though Columbus were unable to advance past the first round. 

2013: In his first full season with the Columbus Crew, Higuaín consistently provided his team with attacking opportunities.  In the first match of the season, Higuaín scored the opening goal for the Crew in a 3-0 victory over Chivas USA on March 2. In August, the Argentine recorded back-to-back multi-goal games in consecutive victories over New York and Toronto.  The midfielder scored three game-winning goals for Columbus in 2013 and finished the season with a team-high nine assists to go along with a career-high 11 goals.  

2012: Higuaín joined Columbus Crew halfway through the 2012 season from Argentinian side Club Atletico Colon.  In his first season in MLS, Higuaín immediately made an impact, transforming Columbus’ attack. On his debut, the Argentine came off the bench at halftime and recorded his first assist to help Columbus come back to earn a 2-2 draw against Houston on Aug. 19. In his next match, Higuain scored his first goal and added another assist to lead the Crew to a 2-1 victory over Toronto on Aug. 22.  Due to his performances in his first two matches, Higuaín was named MLS Player of the Week on both occasions. In his third MLS match, Higuaín recorded his first multi-goal game in MLS in a 4-3 victory over New England on Aug. 25. The midfielder finished the season with five goals and seven assists in just 13 appearances (11 starts) on his way to earning MLS Newcomer of the Year.    

Previous Experience 

Federico Higuaín is a product of Argentinian side River Plate’s academy.  The midfielder was shipped out on loan for the 2006/7 season to Nueva Chicago in Argentina.  On his professional debut, the midfielder scored his first goal in a 3-2 victory over Argentinos Juniors on Aug.12, 2006.  After 37 appearances and 14 goals for Nueva Chicago, Higuaín moved to Besiktas in the Turkish first division. In his lone season with the Turkish side, Higuaín made 16 appearances scoring two goals and providing two assists before transferring to Liga MX side Club America.  With Club America, Higuaín recorded a goal on his debut against Universidad Catolica on Feb. 21, 2008. After 22 appearances with the Mexican side, Higuaín returned to Argentina with Club Deportivo Godoy Cruz. Higuaín spent one season with Godoy Cruz scoring 11 goals and recording three assists in 36 appearances.  After impressing during his time with Godoy Cruz, Higuaín moved to Club Atletico Colon for two seasons. During his time with Colon, Higuaín flourished from his midfield role. The Argentine recorded ten goals and eight assists in his two seasons with the club before joining Columbus Crew.

Acquired

D.C. United acquire Federico Higuaín as a player and Player Development Coach