Eliminated United stays ice-cold in Columbus

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, November 1, 2026

Patrick Schulte’s four saves helped Columbus Crew secure a 3-0 win over D.C. United, marking their fifth straight victory and moving them into eighth place in the Eastern Conference. This result puts Columbus on the verge of clinching a playoff spot, while D.C. United has been eliminated from postseason contention after extending their losing streak to five games.

Patrick Schulte recorded four saves to secure his second consecutive shutout as the Columbus Crew continued their late-season surge with a 3-0 victory over D.C. United on Saturday in Columbus, Ohio. The win marked the Crew’s fifth consecutive triumph and their sixth in their last seven matches, moving them closer to clinching a spot in the Major League Soccer playoffs.

Columbus, now with a 13-15-5 record and 44 points, has climbed steadily in the Eastern Conference standings, rising from the bottom as recently as September 1 to eighth place following Saturday’s results. The Crew can secure a playoff berth on Sunday if Toronto FC fails to defeat Atlanta United and the New York Red Bulls do not beat Nashville SC. Meanwhile, Orlando SC dropped to ninth after a 4-0 loss to Charlotte FC, allowing Columbus to advance in the standings. The Crew trail seventh-place FC Cincinnati—who secured their postseason place with a 1-0 victory over the Philadelphia Union—by two points, with both teams having one match remaining.

D.C. United, struggling this season with a 7-14-12 record and 33 points, extended their losing streak to five matches. The team has managed just one win in its last ten outings and was officially eliminated from playoff contention earlier this week following a loss to Toronto FC.

The scoring opened in the 16th minute when Sean Zawadzki netted his first goal of the season, heading in a free kick delivered by Dylan Chambost from the right side of the box. Anass Zaroury doubled Columbus’s lead in the 41st minute with a precise finish from the top left corner of the penalty area after a pass from Chambost. The final goal came in the 60th minute off an own goal by D.C. United defender Kimito Nono, who mishandled a rebound following a shot by Santi Rodriguez, assisted by Gonzalo Tapia.

Columbus was fortunate to maintain its advantage after D.C. United earned a penalty in the 24th minute due to a handball by Sekou Bangoura. With key strikers Tai Baribo and Louis Munteanu sidelined, regular penalty takers this season, Keisuke Kurokawa was given the opportunity but failed to convert, sending his shot wide of the right post.

Chambost continued to impress with two assists on the day, bringing his team-leading total to nine for the season. The midfielder also earned MLS Player of the Week honors last week after recording three assists against Toronto FC.

With this victory, Columbus increasingly positions itself to return to the postseason after a challenging campaign, while D.C. United faces an offseason of rebuilding following a disappointing run.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.