Columbus Crew earn spot in semis with 5-0 rout of DC United
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Jack McInerney scored in the 25th minute and Ethan Finlay added a pair of second-half goals a minute apart as the Columbus Crew wrapped up second place in the MLS Eastern Conference with a 5-0 victory over D.C. United on Sunday.
The Crew secured a first-round playoff bye and a spot in the East semifinals.
It was the most lopsided victory for Columbus since a 6-1 win over Tampa Bay during the 2001 season.
United could have claimed a first-round bye by beating a Columbus side playing without two players. Kei Kamara, the MLS leader in goals scored, and Federico Higuain both were suspended for the finale due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
Columbus led 1-0 at halftime and broke it open in the second half. Justin Meram scored in the 54th minute to make it 2-0, and Aaron Schoenfeld tallied in the 80th.
