Zelarayán, Zardes score as Crew beats Atlanta United 2-1

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Lucas Zelarayán and Gyasi Zardes scored to help the Columbus Crew beat Atlanta United 2-1 on Sunday on the final day of the regular season.

The Crew secured a top-four seed in the Eastern Conference and will host a first-round playoff game. Atlanta was eliminated from playoff contention.

Zelarayán took a pass from Milton Valenzuela at the top of the area, split two defenders, and then chipped in a shot from point-blank range in the 28th minute. Zardes rolled in a left-footer to make it 2-0 in the 55th.

Columbus (12-6-5) won for just the second time in the last five games.

Marcelino Moreno converted from the penalty spot for Atlanta in the 59th minute.

Atlanta (6-13-4) has recorded just one win in its last eight games.

Atlanta’s Franco Escobar was shown a yellow card in the 11th minute and then a red in first minute of stoppage time.