Crew win MLS Eastern crown

CHICAGO (AP) -- The Columbus Crew won their first Eastern Conference title and extended their unbeaten streak to an MLS-record 16 games with a 1-0 victory over the Chicago Fire on Wednesday.
Columbus (12-5-11) earned home-field advantage in the playoffs, and extended its unbeaten streak to 8-0-8. The Los Angeles Galaxy set the previous record over two seasons (1997-1998).
Simon Elliott set up Edson Buddle's 25-yard goal with a short pass on a free kick in the 59th minute after Fire defender Evan Whitfield fouled Jeff Cunningham.
Buddle is tied with five other players with a league-leading 11 goals. Elliott leads the Crew with 10 assists.
The defending Eastern Conference champion Fire (8-12-9) are in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time since their inception in 1998.
With one game remaining, Chicago is three points ahead of the New England Revolution for the final playoff spot in the East.