Rodrigo Schlegel’s goal proved to be the game-winner as Orlando City picked up a 2-0 win over the Columbus Crew.

Lucas Zelarayán had a goal and two assists and Columbus beat Orlando City 3-1 on Wednesday night to keep the defending champion Crew's slim playoff hopes alive.

Columbus Crew's Jonathan Mensah, center, carries the trophy on stage after the Crew defeated the Seattle Sounders 3-0 in the MLS Cup championship game Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)COLUMBUS, Ohio – No matter the absences from the lineup or the opponent, Caleb Porter implored the Columbus Crew to impose themselves. Porter's players responded, putting aside the recent history of the defending champion Seattle Sounders and capping the most unpredictable of MLS seasons with one of the league's original franchises raising a championship trophy. Columbus claimed its first title since 2008 and denied Seattle a chance at being just the fourth back-to-back champions in league history. Seattle needed a frantic comeback in the final 15 minutes of its Western Conference final against Minnesota United just to reach MLS Cup.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Benji Michel scored in the 84th minute to help Orlando City beat the Columbus Crew 2-1 on Wednesday night. Orlando City (11-3-8) broke a tie for third place with Columbus in the Eastern Conference standings with one game left. With Orlando City down a man after Nani received a red card in the 52nd minute, Michel headed the ball to himself and tapped it between goalkeeper Eloy Room's legs for his fifth goal of the season. Harrison Afful scored his first goal of the season for Columbus, connecting from the 18-yard box in the 56th minute. Orlando nearly scored 30th minute, but Room made an incredible double save.