Justin Meram (shirtless) celebrates with the crowd after leading Michigan to a win in the 2010 NCAA soccer tournament. Meram didn't score a single goal in his first season as a pro with the Columbus Crew, but scored two in as many matches recently.

AnnArbor.com file photo

It took 17 matches over the span of more than a year for former Michigan soccer player Justin Meram to score his first goal in the professional ranks.

It took just one week to get his second.

Meram scored his first goal for the Columbus Crew in a 2-1 win over FC Dallas on May 12, and the celebration that ensued was exactly what a first goal celebration should be, complete with a somersault.

“You could tell in goal No. 1 it was my first one. I celebrated pretty crazy," Meram told the Columbus Dispatch.

A week later, Meram netted his second goal in as many games in a 1-1 tie against the San Jose Earthquakes. The goal is among five up for Major League Soccer's Goal of the Week award.

Meram was a first round pick by the Crew in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft after scoring 17 goals while leading Michigan to its first College Cup (NCAA soccer’s version of the Final Four) in program history during his senior season.

He told the Dispatch that he is finally finding the goalscorer's confidence that led him to such success with the Wolverines in his second season as a pro.

“Goal No. 2 was more of a confidence shot,” Meram said. "Now once I’ve scored, it’s like, ‘You know what? I like this, this feels good and I want to keep doing this.’ ”

• Read the entire Columbus Dispatch story here.