Crew Clinch Playoff Berth With Win Over D.C.

Columbus secured its postseason spot Sunday after a 3-0 victory over D.C. United, extending a five-match unbeaten run in league play.

Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Soccer

Crew Clinch Playoff Berth With Win Over D.C.

Columbus Crew clinched a playoff berth Sunday, a day after defeating D.C. United 3-0. The Crew are 13-15-5 with 44 points and have won five consecutive league matches.

Why it matters

The result guarantees Columbus at least a wild card spot and places the club eighth in the Eastern Conference table. Their form has improved sharply, with seven wins in their last eight matches.

Patrick Schulte recorded his second straight clean sheet and has three clean sheets in four matches. Columbus must win and Cincinnati must fail to beat Nashville SC to change its seeding position.

The players

Columbus Crew

Columbus Crew is a Major League Soccer club based in Columbus, Ohio, competing in the Eastern Conference.

Chicago Fire

Chicago Fire is a Major League Soccer club based in Chicago, Illinois, which clinched a playoff spot in mid-October.

Patrick Schulte

Patrick Schulte is a goalkeeper for the Columbus Crew who has recorded consecutive clean sheets this season.

The details

Columbus Crew secured their playoff berth Sunday after defeating D.C. United 3-0. The club visits Chicago Fire on Saturday, where Chicago is looking to clinch home-field advantage for its best-of-three series.

Sunday: Columbus Crew secured their playoff berth.
Saturday: Columbus Crew visit Chicago Fire.

Season Trajectory

Columbus has moved from the middle of the Eastern Conference table into playoff position through a sustained run of results. The Crew's late push shapes the conference seeding race heading into the final matches.

Columbus's playoff status affects its seeding and matchup in the postseason bracket. Fantasy managers tracking Patrick Schulte should note his recent clean-sheet form.

The takeaway

Columbus has turned a difficult start into a playoff spot through consistent recent results. The final two matches will determine whether the club can improve its seed.