The Columbus Crew won a hard-fought contest at Cincinnati Sunday, blanking the Orange and Blue 2-0. Gonzalo Tapia got the scoring started for Columbus with a goal in the 22nd minute. Homegrown Taha Habroune put the Black & Gold up by two goals with a score in the 54th minute. Here are our three takeaways from Sunday’s match:

1.   Since September 16, the Crew have lost only one of six matches across all competitions (5-1-0), while outscoring opponents 13-6. Their late success has them just a point out of 8th place, the last playoff slot in the MLS’s Eastern Conference, with four matches left in the regular season. Their improved play also has them in the U.S. Open Cup final against St. Louis, which will be played this Wednesday at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field.

2.   How did interim head coach Laurent Courtois feel about the Cincinnati win? “We try to be efficient in all phases of the game. We played against a really difficult opponent that plays [well at] home. With the accumulation of games and playing away, we need to find ways to perform and compete in every way. Tonight, Cinci had more control of the ball and we had to absorb a lot more, but we still find a way to not suffer too much. Credit to the guys.” 

3.  Goalkeeper Patrick Schulte earned his sixth clean sheet of the season. With 26 career regular season shutouts, Schulte moved into sole second position among goalkeepers for the most shutouts in Crew history (William Hesmer, 41). Across all competitions, Schulte owns 31 shutouts.