CINCINNATI -- Gonzalo Tapia had a goal and an assist, Taha Habroune scored a goal for the third consecutive game, as the Columbus Crew beat Cincinnati FC 2-0 on Sunday for their fourth win in the last five games.
The Crew (10-15-5) have 35 points this season, one behind ninth-place Cincinnati for the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot.
Columbus has won three in a row against Cincinnati, is unbeaten in five straight, and leads the "Hell is Real" rivalry 9-3-6 in the regular-season.
Patrick Schulte finished with eight saves and had his sixth shutout this season.
Brais Méndez played a corner kick in to the back post, where Tapia was unchecked for a header that gave Columbus a 1-0 lead in the 22nd minute.
Habroune, a 20-year-old homegrown in his third MLS season, put away a first-touch shot off a feed from Tapia to make it 2-0 in the 54th minute.
Cincinnati, which has one win in its last nine games, hosts D.C. United on Wednesday.
Columbus is back in action at home on Oct. 24 with a game against fellow playoff hopeful Toronto FC, which is one point ahead of the Crew.