That's what they call instant impact.
Usually a Designated Player needs time to acclimate to MLS before really flexing his muscle. That's not the case for the Columbus Crew's Federico Higuaín, who earned the North American Soccer Reporters vote as the Player of the Week for Week 25 (see who and how the media voted here).
WATCH: Higuain's 2nd vs. Revs
The newly arrived Argentine was critical in two home victories. First, he registered a goal and an assist in his team's 2-1 midweek win over Toronto FC and he followed that up with two free kick goals in a wild 4-3 victory over New England on Saturday night.
"I'm like, 'Where the heck did that guy come from?'" said Crew head coach Robert Warzycha after the victory against the Revs. "It's amazing to have talent like this.”
To think that Higuaín only made his debut eight days ago in a 2-2 draw in Houston, where he also logged an assist.
It's the third Player of the Week award for a Crew player after Jairo Arrieta (Week 21) and Emilio Rentería (Week 12)
2012 MLS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Week 25: Federico Higuaín (Columbus Crew)
Week 24: David Ferriera (FC Dallas)
Week23: Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy)
Week22: Eddie Johnson (Seattle Sounders)
Week21: Jairo Arrieta (Columbus Crew)
Week20: Calen Carr (Houston Dynamo)
Week 19: Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)
Week 18: Álvaro Saborío (Real Salt Lake)
Week 17: Danny Koevermans (Toronto FC)
Week 16: Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy)
Week 13-15: Patrice Bernier (Montreal Impact)
Week 12: Emilio Rentería (Columbus Crew)
Week 11: Dwayne De Rosario (D.C. United)
Week 10: Lee Nguyen (New England Revolution)
Week 9: Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)
Week 8: Steven Lenhart (San Jose Earthquakes)
Week 7: Chris Pontius (D.C. United)
Week 6: Dan Kennedy (Chivas USA)
Week 5: Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls)
Week 4: Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls)
Week 3: Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls)
Week 2: David Estrada (Seattle Sounders)
Week 1: Kalif Alhassan (Portland Timbers)
