Houston Dynamo extend Columbus Crew's losing streak with shutout win

The Houston Dynamo defeated visiting Columbus 2-0 on Saturday to extend Crew SC's losing streak to four matches.

The Dynamo (5-1-1) set the team record for fastest five wins, bettering the nine games it took in 2013 and '17.

Houston's scorers were Mauro Manotas in the third minute and Tomas Martinez in the 55th, and Joe Willis had four saves for his first shutout as the Dynamo moved to 4-0-1 at home.

Columbus (4-5-1) has five losses and two ties in Houston since 2012.

Manotas quickly made it 1-0 off a blunder by defender Lalas Abubakar in his first start of the season. Abubakar was stripped by Alberth Elis near midfield to give him a clear path down the right.

Manotas followed down the middle for the service by Elis but the ball was behind him. Manotas managed to get a foot on it and redirected the bouncing ball past goalkeeper Zack Steffen, who was leaning the other way anticipating a shot.

Elis extended his streak of getting a goal or assist to five games in which he has four goals and four assists.

Manotas almost added to the lead a minute later with a long strike that Steffen saved. The keeper had to come up big again in the 33rd with a diving stop at the right corner on a shot by Maynor Figueroa.

Martinez made it 2-0 following a quick restart. Manotas forced a save by Steffen but the rebound went to an unmarked Martinez 15 yards in front for his second goal.

The Crew's best chance came in the 79th minute when Pedro Santos tried to score directly off a corner kick. Willis punched the ball over the bar.

Playing for the third time in eight days, Columbus has eight goals this season while scoring just once in the past four games.

Both teams next play on May 4, with Houston hosting FC Dallas and the Crew at D.C. United.