Columbus Crew SC knew the situation coming into Decision Day. A win, along with some help from other teams, and second place in the Eastern Conference, and free passage beyond the knockout round of the MLS Cup playoffs was there for the taking.
The Black & Gold got the help the team needed — the Houston Dynamo beat the Chicago Fire 3-0 and Toronto FC grabbed a late equalizer in a 2-2 draw at Atlanta United — but Crew SC couldn’t find the third goal that would do the trick in a 2-2 draw with New York City FC.