MLS: Columbus 3, New York 1

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Sept. 18 (UPI) -- Frankie Hejduk had a goal and an assist Thursday in leading Columbus to a 3-1 victory over New York.

Columbus increased its lead in the Eastern Conference to six points with its 14th victory of the season.

Hejduk scored for the first time this year and the Crew also came up with goals from Robbie Rogers and Eddie Gaven while improving to 14-6-5. Guillermo Barros Schelotto, the Crew's MVP candidate, sat out the game with a hamstring injury.

New York slipped to 10-11-3 and finished the game on a down note when fullback Kevin Goldthwaite received a red card.