Federico Higuaín scored twice and Zack Steffen made two saves in a penalty-kick shootout as the visiting Columbus Crew advanced past D.C. United in the knockout round of the M.L.S. playoffs following a 2-2 draw on Thursday night at Audi Field.
Higuaín, Wil Trapp and Niko Hansen converted penalties for Columbus, which also advanced in a shootout last season at the same stage following a 0-0 draw at Atlanta United.
Steffen saved penalties from Wayne Rooney and Luciano Acosta, D.C.’s top two offensive producers this season, before Nick DeLeon fired the final kick high to give the Crew the 3-2 win in the shootout.