No contest: Higuain once again the MLS Player of the Week

It’s hard to think of a player in recent MLS history who had such an immediate impact on his team — and the league as a while — as Federico Higuain.

The Argentine forward was named NASL Player of the Week for the second consecutive time on Monday. He got 17 of the 19 first-place votes from the members of the North American Soccer Reporters.

The Columbus Crew, which was in the periphery of the playoff race just a few weeks ago, now holds a playoff spot. The Crew just went through a grueling stretch of four matches in a little less than two weeks, and won all four of them.

Now, to Higuain. Twice this week, the Crew fell behind by a goal. And twice, Higuain brought them back for a pair of 2-1 wins. The first came against the Philadelphia Union, where he set up a goal with a perfect free kick and set up the winner with a deft ball into the box.

Against the Montreal Impact, he set up the equalizer on a free kick and then the winner with a perfect cross into the box. And, before delivering the cross, he beat Impact defender Alessandro Nesta to create space for himself.

He’s been nothing short of jaw-dropping to watch — and he has absolutely transformed the Crew.

How The 11 voted: Higuain. In five games, he has three goals and six assists. He has transformed Columbus from fringe team into a real darkhorse in the Eastern Conference. And he’s the kind of player who can bring fans out of their seats.

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