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Federico Higuaín

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Federico Higuaín
Higuaín with Columbus Crew in 2017
Personal information
Full name Federico Fernando Higuaín
Date of birth (1984-10-25) 25 October 1984 (age 40)
Place of birth Buenos Aires, Argentina
Height 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)
Position(s) Forward, attacking midfielder
Youth career
–2003 River Plate
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2005 River Plate 5 (0)
2005–2007 Nueva Chicago 71 (26)
2007–2008 Beşiktaş 9 (0)
2008 → Club América (loan) 13 (1)
2008–2009 Independiente 18 (1)
2009–2010 Godoy Cruz 36 (11)
2010–2012 Colón 62 (10)
2012–2019 Columbus Crew 193 (55)
2019–2020 D.C. United 10 (2)
2020–2021 Inter Miami 29 (3)
Total 446 (109)
Managerial career
2021 Inter Miami (Academy)
2022 Inter Miami II (Assistant)
2022– Inter Miami II
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 4 February 2022

Federico Fernando Higuaín (Spanish: [feðeˈɾikojɣwaˈin]; born 25 October 1984) is an Argentine former professional footballer who played as a forward and attacking midfielder. He is currently the head coach for MLS Next Pro club Inter Miami II.

He played 157 games and scored 35 goals in the Argentine Primera División for River Plate, Nueva Chicago, Independiente, Godoy Cruz and Colón between 2003 and 2012. He also had brief spells in Turkey with Beşiktaş J.K. and Mexico with Club América in 2007–08.

In 2012, he signed for the Columbus Crew for a then club-record fee of US$650,000, and won the MLS Newcomer of the Year Award in his first season. He made over 200 appearances and scored over 50 goals for the club across all competitions, helping them to the Eastern Conference title in 2015.

Early life

[edit]

Higuaín was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the son of the Argentine former footballer Jorge Higuaín. Higuaín has three brothers, including Gonzalo, who is a former footballer.[1][2][3] He is of Basque descent through his father.[4]

Club career

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Early career

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Higuaín signed with River Plate as a youngster, playing 5 games and registering no goals. He soon went on loan to Nueva Chicago in the Argentine second division, where he played 77 total games, scoring 29 goals. He also impressed during stints at Godoy Cruz and Colón de Santa Fe.[5]

In August 2007, Higuaín signed a three-year contract at Beşiktaş J.K. of the Turkish Süper Lig, for a US$1.65 million fee.[6] He did not settle in Istanbul, and the following February he was loaned to Mexico's Club América.[7]

Columbus Crew

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On July 27, 2012, Higuaín joined the Columbus Crew as the team's third-ever designated player, for a then club-record fee of $650,000 USD.[8][9] His debut came on August 19 as a substitute against the Houston Dynamo, where he assisted Eddie Gaven's go-ahead goal with a well-placed ball over the top just 13 minutes later.[10] Only three days later, he earned his first MLS start against Toronto FC and, in the fourth minute, once again set up a Gaven opener before notching the winning goal himself.[11] The following match, which took place on August 26, saw him score two goals from free kicks in a thrilling 4–3 victory over the New England Revolution.[12] For his performances over his first several matches, Higuaín was named player of the week for weeks 25 and 26 of the 2012 Major League Soccer season.[13] The season came to an end with him netting both goals in a 2–1 victory against Toronto FC on the final matchday.[14]

To begin the 2013 season, Higuaín scored in a 3–0 opening-day victory over Chivas USA on 2 March.[15] On 10 August, he scored in a 2–0 victory over New York Red Bulls with a chip from well outside the penalty area that was voted Goal of the Week, and in the next match, a 2–0 win over Toronto FC, chipping the goalkeeper from 22 yards away.[16][17]

Following the 2014 Major League Soccer season in which Higuaín tallied a team-leading eleven goals and seven assists, he was signed to a new contract, the most lucrative deal ever given by the Crew at the time.[18] At the time of signing his new contract, Higuaín had been ranked fifth in the league in goals, first in penalty kick goals, and one of only eight players to score double-digit goals in the previous two seasons since entering the league.[19]

In 2015, Higuaín scored eight goals and provided nine assists during the MLS regular season, while in the playoffs, he won the Eastern Conference Championship with Columbus,[20][21] only to lose the MLS Cup Final to Portland, following a 2–1 home defeat.[22] The following season, Higuaín had a disappointing year, scoring only four goals and adding three assists in just 20 appearances, as the Crew missed out on the playoffs. While many pundits expected him to leave the next season, as his contract was expiring, he signed a one-year extension, and in 2017, he helped Crew to qualify for the playoffs and reach the Eastern Conference finals.[22]

On 25 May 2019, in a game against the Colorado Rapids, Higuaín was injured, and subsequently received anterior cruciate ligament surgery, ruling him out for the remainder of the season.[23] On 21 October 2019, Columbus Crew's president and general manager, Tim Bezbatchenko, announced that the club decided not to extend his contract for the next season.[24]

D.C. United

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On 2 March 2020, Higuaín joined D.C. United as a player and Player Development Coach.[25] On 13 July 2020, he made his first appearance in an "MLS is Back" tournament match against Toronto FC. With D.C. United losing 2–0 and at a man disadvantage due to a first-half ejection, Higuaín came on as a substitute in the 80th minute and scored on a breakaway in the 84th minute. D.C. United added a second goal in injury time to force a 2–2 draw.[26]

Inter Miami CF

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On 10 October 2020, D.C. United traded Higuaín to Inter Miami in exchange for $50,000 in General Allocation Money, where Higuaín joined his brother, Gonzalo Higuaín.[27] Higuaín re-signed with Miami on 28 January 2021 for the 2021 season.[28] Following the 2021 season, Higuaín announced his retirement from playing professional football.[29]

Style of play

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Nicknamed Pipa, Higuaín is a diminutive playmaker with a slender physique. While not being a prolific goalscorer, his technique, vision, intelligence, creativity on the ball, ability to provide assists for his teammates, and eye for goal from midfield make him capable of playing both as a forward and as an attacking midfielder, and he has also often functioned as a second striker, or as a winger. Buenos Aires-based journalist Daniel Colasimone has stated that "[h]is role is more to harass opposition defenses with intelligent runs, fine ball control and incisive passing. His hard work on and off the ball, and affable personality made him well-liked wherever he played in Argentina." His coach at Columbus, Gregg Berhalter, said of him in 2015: "He’s the guy who ties everything together. He ties the defense to the offense on both sides of the ball. He's been fantastic this year, and his contribution is underrated in my eyes because he's been performing at a really, really high level."[5][20][21][22][30][31]

Coaching

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Higuaín began his coaching career in 2020 when he signed with D.C. United as a player and player development coach.[32] On 4 February 2022, he was named as part of the coaching staff for Inter Miami II ahead of the inaugural MLS Next Pro season.[33]

Personal life

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Higuaín holds a U.S. green card which qualifies him as a domestic player for MLS roster purposes.[34]

Career statistics

[edit]
As of 8 November 2020[35][36][37]
Club Season League Cup[a] Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
River Plate 2003–04 Primera División 3 0 – 1[b] 0 – 4 0
2004–05 2 0 – 0 0 – 2 0
2005–06 0 0 – – – 0 0
2006–07 0 0 – – – 0 0
Total 5 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 6 0
Nueva Chicago (loan) 2005–06 Primera B Nacional 36 13 – – 4[c] 2 40 15
2006–07 Primera División 35 13 – – 2[d] 1 37 14
Total 71 26 0 0 0 0 6 3 77 29
Beşiktaş 2007–08 Süper Lig 9 0 2 2 5[e] 0 0 0 16 2
América (loan) 2008 Primera División de México 13 1 – 9[b] 1 – 22 2
Independiente 2008–09 Primera División 18 1 – 1[f] 0 – 19 1
Godoy Cruz 2009–10 Primera División 36 11 – – – 36 11
Colón 2010–11 Primera División 27 3 – – – 27 3
2011–12 35 7 0 0 – – 35 7
Total 62 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 62 10
Columbus Crew 2012 Major League Soccer 13 5 0 0 – – 13 5
2013 29 11 2 0 – – 31 11
2014 29 11 0 0 – 1[g] 1 30 12
2015 32 8 0 0 – 5[g] 1 37 9
2016 20 4 0 0 – – 20 4
2017 26 9 1 0 – 5[g] 0 32 9
2018 30 6 0 0 – 3[g] 2 33 8
2019 14 1 0 0 – – 14 1
Total 193 55 3 0 0 0 14 4 210 59
D.C. United 2020 Major League Soccer 10[nb 1] 2 – – – 10 2
Inter Miami 2020 Major League Soccer 4 0 – – – 4 0
Career total 421 106 5 2 16 1 20 7 462 116
  1. ^ Appearances in the Turkish Cup and U.S. Open Cup
  2. ^ a b Appearances in the Copa Libertadores
  3. ^ Appearances in the Primera B Nacional Promotion Playoff
  4. ^ Appearances in the Primera División Relegation Playoff
  5. ^ Appearances in the UEFA Champions League
  6. ^ Appearance in the Copa Sudamericana
  7. ^ a b c d Appearances in the MLS Cup Playoffs
  1. ^ Includes three appearances and two goals in the MLS is Back Tournament

Honours

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River Plate

América

Individual

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Higuain: I'm not jealous of Gonzalo". FIFA.com. 6 June 2013. Archived from the original on 30 July 2014. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  2. ^ Federico ganó el duelo de los hermanos Higuaín. Old.clarin.com. Retrieved on 17 April 2014.
  3. ^ Milan, AC. "Mercato Milan 2018: ultime calciomercato Gonzalo Higuain e Mattia Caldara | AC Milan". AC Milan. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  4. ^ "El delantero uruguayo Diego Forlán, su abuela vasca, y sus deseos de fichar por el Athlétic Club de Bilbao". Euskal kultura (in Spanish). 9 April 2010. Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  5. ^ a b Eric Beard (14 September 2012). "Higuaín Finds Comfort in Columbus". The New York Times. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  6. ^ "Federico Higuaín será compañero de Rodrigo Tello en el Besiktas" [Federico Higuaín will be Rodrigo Tello's teammate at Beşiktaş] (in Spanish). Emol. 21 August 2007. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  7. ^ "Beşiktaş bring in Schildenfeld". UEFA. 1 February 2008. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  8. ^ "Crew signs Argentine striker Federico Higuain as third Designated Player in Club history". Columbus Crew. Archived from the original on 28 July 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
  9. ^ "Columbus Paid Considerable Fee for Higuain". Crewture. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
  10. ^ Merz, Craig. "Higuain leaves strong impressions after debut assist". MLS Soccer. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
  11. ^ "Crew vs. Toronto FC - August 22, 2012". Columbus Crew. Archived from the original on 23 August 2012. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
  12. ^ Merz, Craig. "Warzycha on Higuain: "It's amazing to have talent like this"". MLS Soccer. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  13. ^ Borg, Simon. "Crew DP Higuain captures MLS Player of the Week award". MLSsoccer.com. Archived from the original on 30 August 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  14. ^ Merz, Craig. "Crew's Higuain offers tasty teaser in season finale". MLS Soccer. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
  15. ^ "MLS Match Recap: Chivas USA 0, Columbus Crew 3". Major League Soccer. 2 March 2013. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  16. ^ King, Andrew (15 August 2013). "Columbus Crew's Federico Higuain says chip vs. New York one of his best all-time goals". Major League Soccer. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
  17. ^ Sharrett, Cody (20 August 2013). "POLL: Which Higuaín chip was better?". theCrew.com. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
  18. ^ "Columbus Crew sign Federico Higuain to new designated player contract". Sports Illustrated. 5 January 2015. Archived from the original on 18 April 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  19. ^ Jardy, Adam. "Soccer: Higuain's new deal is Crew's richest ever". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
  20. ^ a b King, Andrew (3 December 2015). "2015 MLS Cup: Overshadowed by teammates, Federico Higuain still the player that ties Columbus Crew SC together". MLS Soccer. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  21. ^ a b "2015 MLS Cup: Head-to-head position breakdown of Columbus Crew SC vs. Portland Timbers". MLS Soccer. 2 December 2015. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  22. ^ a b c Davis, Jason (27 November 2017). "MLS Cup win would put Higuain firmly alongside Schelotto in Crew lore". ESPN FC. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  23. ^ "Crew's Higuain out for season after knee surgery". ESPN.com. 31 May 2019. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
  24. ^ Murphy, Patrick. "Federico Higuain's playing days are over in Columbus, but Crew leave door open for future return". MLSSoccer.com. Retrieved 22 October 2019.
  25. ^ "D.C. United Acquire MLS Veteran Playmaker Federico Higuaín". 2 March 2020. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  26. ^ "Toronto FC 2-2 D.C. United (Jul 13, 2020) Game Analysis". ESPN.
  27. ^ "Inter Miami CF Acquires Veteran Midfielder Federico Higuaín". intermiamicf.com. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  28. ^ Butler, Dylan (28 January 2021). "Inter Miami CF sign Federico Higuain to new contract for 2021 season". mlssoccer.com. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  29. ^ "MLS great Federico Higuain to retire after 2021 season: "Everything has an end" | MLSSoccer.com".
  30. ^ "Higuain Federico, il fratello di un Dio minore. Ma ora c'è aria di rivincita" (in Italian). La Repubblica. 5 December 2015. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  31. ^ Ryan Rosenblatt (28 July 2012). "Columbus Crew Sign Federico Higuain As Designated Player". SB Nation. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  32. ^ Sigal, Jonathan. "Federico Higuain signs with DC United as player, Player Development Coach". MLSSoccer.com. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  33. ^ "Fort Lauderdale CF Announces Full Technical Staff Ahead of First MLS NEXT Pro Season". InterMiamiCF.com. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  34. ^ Jardy, Adam (5 February 2015). "Crew: Recovered from injury, Higuain ready to roll". Columbus Dispatch. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  35. ^ "Federico Higuaín at WorldFootball.net". WorldFootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL Medien GmbH & Co. KG. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
  36. ^ Federico Higuaín at Soccerway
  37. ^ Federico Higuaín at Major League Soccer
  38. ^ "Columbus Crew SC's Federico Higuain joins MLS 50-50 club | MLSSoccer.com". mlssoccer.
  39. ^ Rosano, Nicholas. "Crew's Higuain lands MLS Newcomer of the Year award". MLS Soccer. Archived from the original on 8 December 2012. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
  40. ^ Boehm, Charles. "Higuain earns 2nd straight MLS Player of the Week nod". MLS Soccer. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  41. ^ a b "Federico Higuain". MLS Soccer. Archived from the original on 31 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
[edit]
Sporting positions
Preceded by Columbus Crew captain
2013 		Succeeded by
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