The Columbus Crew continued its hot streak in pursuit of an MLS Playoff berth Saturday afternoon, knocking two first-half goals past D.C. United, having a second-half own goal go its way for the third, and recording a clean sheet. Captain Sean Zawadzki and Anass Zaroury found the back of the net, while Dylan Chambost notched two assists, bringing his assist total in his last three matches to five.
The win marks the Black & Gold’s sixth win in seven MLS matches, earning 18 of a possible 21 points in that span. With the result, and Orlando City’s 4-0 loss to Charlotte FC, the Crew rises to 8th in the Eastern Conference with 44 points and one matchday remaining in the regular season.
Chambost tested Alex Bono in the 5th minute with a strike from distance, but the MLS veteran caught it in his grasp without much trouble.
Peglow lined up a shot from distance for the visitors in the 15th minute. His low, driven attempt forced a diving save from Patrick Schulte toward the left post.
Zawadzki opened the scoring for the Black & Gold in the 16th minute. After receiving a free kick 25 yards out on the right side of the pitch, Santi Rodriguez and Dylan Chambost stood with the ball at their feet. Rodriguez faked the free kick before Chambost sent in a looming cross with his left boot. Zawadzki got his head to it in the six-yard box, knocking it down off of Bono and into the back of the net.
Minutes later, a handball in the box gave the visitors an opportunity from the penalty spot. VAR determined that Sekou Bangoura had blocked Matti Peltola’s shot with his hand in the 18-yard box, awarding D.C. United a spot kick. Keisuke Kurokawa stepped up to the plate, but his low-struck shot rolled wide of the right post and out for a goal kick.
In the 28th minute, a poor clearance from Zaroury gave the visitors a clear attempt at goal. Zaroury tried to drill the ball low up the field, but Peglow intercepted it near the right corner of the six-yard box. He quickly fired a right-footed shot toward the near post, but Schulte’s quick reflexes gave the Black & Gold the edge as he scuppered the chance.
A minute later, Schulte again was forced to react quickly to keep the Crew ahead. Following a D.C. United corner kick, Andre Dozzell got on the end of a loose ball at the edge of the 18-yard box. He drilled a left-footed half-volley toward the bottom left corner of the goal, but Schulte readily seized the ball.
The Black & Gold doubled their lead in the 41st minute through Zaroury. Chambost played a diagonal driven ball across the 18-yard box, finding Zaroury on the left inside of the box. Zaroury took a touch to settle, then pierced a curled shot into the upper right corner of the goal, with Bono stuck between his posts as he watched it soar in.
Two minutes into the second half, Schulte stood defiant between the sticks once more. Substitute Oscar Avilez received a through ball on the left flank, before cutting inward with the outside of his boot to set up a shot with his right foot. He directed a finessed shot on frame, but failed to test Schulte as the keeper squandered the chance.
The Black & Gold added a third goal to their tally in the 61st minute through determination and a stroke of luck. Gonzalo Tapia led a breakaway down the right flank before sending a low cross to Rodriguez, who was storming into the 18-yard box. Rodriguez got a touch on the ball, but Bono stood in his way and dove forward in an attempt to parry the ball away. Bono pushed the ball onto Kimito Nono, who was running in to defend, and it ricocheted into the back of the net.
Up next, the Black & Gold take on the Chicago Fire away from home in the final match of the regular season on Saturday, November 7th at 4:00 p.m. ET. The match will be available to stream on Apple TV.
