MLS: Columbus 2, Toronto 1

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Aug. 22 (UPI) -- Eddie Gaven scored 4 minutes into the contest Wednesday and the Columbus Crew went on to defeat Toronto 2-1 to inch closer to a spot in the MLS playoffs.

The Crew (10-8-6) moved into a tie with Montreal for sixth place in the Eastern Conference -- five points behind Houston and Chicago. The top five teams in each conference earn playoff spots.

Federico Higuain boosted the Columbus lead in the 58th minute, giving the Crew enough of a cushion to survive Luis Silva's 71st-minute goal for Toronto.

Gaven's goal, his team-leading sixth of the season, came from outside the box on a shot that found the bottom left corner of the net.

Toronto (5-16-5) has the worst record in the league.