Luciano Emilio scored in the first half and D.C. United kept its MLS playoff hopes alive with a 1-0 victory over the Columbus Crew on Saturday night.
Steve Cronin earned a shutout in his first start for United (9-8-12), which pulled into a tie with Toronto, FC Dallas and New England for the eighth and final playoff spot with 39 points.
Columbus (13-6-10), which saw Emilio Renteria red-carded for a late foul on D.C.’s Julius James, still remains in the best position to claim the MLS Supporters’ Shield for the best regular-season finish.
United took the lead in the 17th minute after Emilio took Thabiso Khumalo’s diagonal pass and chipped it over charging goalkeeper William Hesmer. Columbus’ Danny O’Rourke attempted a sliding clearance off the goal line, but the referee’s assistant ruled the ball had already crossed it.
Cronin, acquired on loan from the USL’s Portland Timbers on Monday, then went to work, denying Robbie Rogers’ half volley with a sprawling save in the 37th minute, and smothering Eddie Gaven’s close-range header minutes later.
Renteria, who entered the match in the 67th minute, had perhaps Columbus’ best scoring opportunity of the second half, but drove his 15-yard effort well wide of Cronin’s right post in the 73rd minute.
He would be sent off 10 minutes after that for what appeared to be a leg sweep at James’ ankles from behind.
United’s Jaime Moreno entered as a substitute in the 58th minute to become the MLS career leader for regular-season games played with one team. It was his 307th appearance for D.C., surpassing Cobi Jones’ 306 with the L.A. Galaxy.
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Story from: STATS LLC, http://www.stats.com.
