Columbus, Ohio: Crew Beat D.C. United 3 to 0 in Columbus as Chambost Sets Up Both First Half Goals

The Columbus Crew beat D.C. United 3 to 0 on Saturday afternoon at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field in Columbus, Ohio, and moved within one result of a playoff place that looked out of reach two months ago.

Captain Sean Zawadzki opened the scoring in the 16th minute, heading in a free kick from Dylan Chambost. It was Zawadzki's first goal of the season, according to the Associated Press report of the match.

D.C. United had a chance to tie the match soon after. United earned a penalty after a video review, but Keisuke Kurokawa sent his attempt wide in the 24th minute. Crew goalkeeper Patrick Schulte had talked to Kurokawa before the kick, and Schulte said after the match that the talk was mind games, the Columbus Dispatch reported.

Chambost sets up two goals

Chambost set up the second goal in the 41st minute. His long pass across the field found Anass Zaroury on the left side of the box, and Zaroury shot from about 15 yards, inside the right post, to make it 2 to 0 at halftime.

It was Chambost's second straight home match with more than one assist. He set up three goals on October 24 in the Crew's 4 to 2 win over Toronto FC, a performance that earned him MLS Player of the Matchday honors, MLS said. Chambost now has a team high nine assists, according to the match reports.

The third goal came in the 60th minute. Schulte started the play with a long throw to Gonzalo Tapia, who led a break toward goal and played the ball to Santiago Rodriguez. Rodriguez pressed goalkeeper Alex Bono one on one, and the ball deflected off D.C. defender Kimito Nono into his own net for an own goal.

Schulte finished with four saves and his eighth shutout of the season. It was his second straight shutout, the match reports said.

From last place to eighth

Columbus (13-15-5) has 44 points and sits eighth in the Eastern Conference, one point ahead of Orlando City, with one match left. The Crew were last in the 15 team Eastern Conference on September 1. They have now won five straight matches and seven of their last eight league matches, MLS said.

"It was no surprise," Zawadzki said, in comments reported by the Columbus Dispatch. "We knew the quality we have in this group."

Interim head coach Laurent Courtois praised Chambost after the match. "He can elevate his level and be more impactful on both sides of the game," Courtois said, according to MLS and the Dispatch.

The midseason arrivals have helped the run. Designated Players Brais Mendez and Santiago Rodriguez joined during the season, Mendez from Real Sociedad in Spain and Rodriguez from Botafogo in Brazil. Mendez came into the weekend with five goals and four assists in 13 appearances, and Rodriguez scored on Wednesday in the Crew's 2 to 0 win at FC Dallas, MLS said.

What happens next

Columbus can clinch a playoff spot on Sunday, November 1, without playing. The Crew clinch if Toronto FC fail to win at Atlanta United and the New York Red Bulls fail to win at Nashville SC, in matches that kick off at 4 p.m. Eastern, according to the match reports.

If the help does not come on Sunday, the Crew close the regular season on Saturday, November 7, at the Chicago Fire. D.C. United (7-14-12) have 33 points and have lost five straight matches.