COLUMBUS — Lucas Zelarayán had a goal and had two assists and Columbus beat Orlando City 3-1 to keep the defending champion Crew’s slim playoff hopes alive.
Columbus (11-13-8) has 41 points, three behind seventh place D.C. United for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Orlando City (12-9-11), which had its five-game unbeaten streak snapped, fell to fifth in the conference standings with 47 points.
Columbus played its third match without head coach Caleb Porter, who has been placed in the MLS health and safety protocol.
The Crew travels to Washington to take on D.C. United Saturday at Audi Field (7:30 p.m./Bally Sports Great Lakes).