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NYCFC Secures First-Round Bye With Win Over Columbus

NEW YORK (AP) -- Jack Harrison and Khiry Shelton scored two minutes apart in the second half and New York City FC beat the Columbus Crew 4-1 on Sunday to secure a first-round bye in the playoffs.

New York City (15-10-9) clinched second place in the Eastern Conference, three points back of the New York Red Bulls. Columbus (8-14-12) and Portland, the defending MLS Cup finalists, both failed to make the playoffs which is a first in league history.

Steven Mendoza opened the scoring in the 45th minute for NYC. David Villa split a double team with a cross and Mendoza one-touched it home off goalkeeper Brad Stuver.

Harrison made it 2-1 in the 75th. Villa's centering pass to Frank Lampard was deflected but it fell to an open Harrison at the far post for an easy redirection. Two minute later, Khiry Shelton ran to Harrison's through ball and slotted it home a breakaway shot from outside the 18-yard box.

David Villa scored his 23rd goal of the season on the last play of the game. He finished one goal behind Bradley Wright-Phillips for the Golden Boot award.

(Copyright 2016 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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