Justin Meram has been one of the top players at his position in MLS since breaking out under the tutelage of Gregg Berhalter in 2014. Now, the Columbus Crew SC star is looking to become the man to lead his team to the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs.
The Iraqi international has already surpassed his career high of eight goals, scoring 11 times for Columbus this season, and needs just one more goal or assist to increase his high of 18 combined goals and assists in a single campaign he achieved last year.
The left winger, who currently sits in 35th place in the Audi Player Index, is not only contributing with counting stats. His 63 dribbles completed, worth 35 Audi Player Index points each, are the second-highest total for any player in MLS while his 43 key passes, worth 32 points each, are enough to place him in the top 20 in MLS.
When looking at these figures per 90 minutes, they show why this has been a career year for Meram. His 2.58 dribbles completed per 90 is the highest average of his career while his 1.76 chances created is the highest average he's had since 2011, when he played just 515 minutes.
Columbus currently sit in fourth place in the Eastern Conference after missing the playoffs last season. They're six points above seventh place Montreal, with the Impact holding two games in hand. In order for Crew SC to reach the playoffs, Meram will need to continue to perform at the level he's been at this season.
That run to the playoffs continues on Sunday when Sporting Kansas City, and their record-breaking defense, visit MAPFRE Stadium (1 pm ET; ESPN, ESPN Deportes in US | MLS LIVE in Canada).
