Crew defeat D.C. United 3-0, tightening playoff race for Toronto FC
The Columbus Crew kept their playoff momentum with a 3-0 victory over D.C. United on Saturday.
COLUMBUS · Sean Zawadzki and Anass Zaroury scored first-half goals and the Columbus Crew defeated D.C. United 3-0 on Saturday, tightening the Major League Soccer playoff race and putting extra pressure on Toronto FC. The Crew, who have won seven of their last eight matches, moved to 13-15-5 and can clinch a playoff spot on Sunday with favourable results from other games. D.C. United lost its fifth consecutive match to fall to 7-14-12. Toronto FC now faces a must-win game against Atlanta United FC on Sunday, as a draw or loss would eliminate it from playoff contention. Zawadzki opened the scoring in the 16th minute with a header off a Dylan Chambost free kick. Zaroury doubled the lead in the 41st, curling a shot from the left side of the box into the far corner past goalkeeper Alex Bono after being left unmarked, with Chambost again providing the assist.
Columbus capped the scoring in the 60th minute on an own goal. Crew goalkeeper Patrick Schulte started the play with a long throw to Gonzalo Tapia, who led a two-on-one break and passed to Santiago Rodriguez. Bono blocked Rodriguez's initial shot, but the rebound deflected off D.C. United defender Kimito Nono and into the net. Schulte finished with four saves to earn his ninth clean sheet of the season.
The Crew moved into a playoff position for the first time since May 10 after a 2-0 win over Dallas on Wednesday. Columbus can clinch a playoff spot on Sunday with some help from Atlanta United and Nashville. D.C. United returns home to play New York City FC next Saturday. Up next: Toronto FC hosts Atlanta United FC on Sunday in a game it must win to keep its playoff hopes alive.
With files from Sportsnet