If you look at Ulises Segura’s stat sheet you’ll see that he’s the owner of two goals and one assist during his first season in MLS. On paper, it’s not a scoring total that many will write home about, but if you take a deeper look you’ll notice there’s more than meets the eye.
Every time Segura has found the score sheet this season it seems to be at the exact moment that the Black-and-Red need him the most. On Wednesday, Segura scored his second goal of 2018 when he tallied the equalizer against Minnesota on a night where United stumbled out of the gate. United would go on to win that game 2-1, and gain crucial ground in the chase for the final playoff spot.
For Segura, who had been moved to the bench before jumping back into the starting XI due to injuries elsewhere on the team, it felt good to score. He was quick to note, though, that what mattered was that the team won, not that he got on the score sheet.
“We all have to be ready to help the team,” Segura said. “I thank God I was able to score the goal but the most important part for me is that the team got the three points.”
Both of Segura’s goals this season have come at major turning points turning points of the Black-and-Red’s season, and each one pushed United forward.
Segura’s first goal came on April 14 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, in United’s second Home Away from Home match. In the first minute of the game, a clever back heel pass from Luciano Acosta fell to Paul Arriola, who quickly pushed it toward Segura who fired it from distance past Columbus Crew goalkeeper Zach Steffen.
The goal would stand as a game-winner as the Black-and-Red escaped with the win after falling to 10-men. The win was crucial because it was United’s final home game before Audi Field would open more than three months later, and every point the Black-and-Red could bank at home before their lengthy road trip went a long way.
Segura made his presence know again in Audi Field’s third game on July 28th when his cross into the box forced a Colorado Rapids own goal in stoppage time that pushed United to a dramatic 2-1 win and saved them from dropping key points in their new home.
Throughout it all, Segura has trained hard and stayed determined whether he was on the bench or in the starting XI. And while he hasn’t quite lit up the league so far, he has found ways to make his contributions count.
“I had to wait,” Segura said. “But like I said, we have to be ready to come up at any moment and help the team.”
During the Black-and-Red’s second half run a majority of the headlines have centered on the dynamic duo of Luciano Acosta and Wayne Rooney for good reason. But contributions from players like Segura matter just as much, especially when the pair can draw in defenses and give players like Segura open looks.
“There’s always going to be players on teams who draw attention,” Segura said. “In Wayne [Rooney’s] case he’s a legend of world football...and everyone knows what he can do. [Luciano] is a young guy who, to me, is one of the best players on the team, and if they keep doing things well we’ll all be happy when the team wins.”
“Having players like them in way can makes things easier.”
For his part, Segura will be happy to continue to fly under the radar if it means the Black-and-Red can find themselves in the postseason. And if his number gets called again, he will no doubt be ready to do his part.
