Diego Rossi scored and had an assist and Patrick Schulte made five saves as the Columbus Crew defeated host St. Louis City 2-1 on Sunday to move atop the Eastern Conference.

Rossi broke a 1-1 tie in the 55th minute with his fifth goal and third in the past three matches. He was left unattended for a strike from 25 yards.

Schulte, a St. Louis University product, made a brilliant save on Joao Klauss in the 86th minute to preserve the lead then denied a close-range try by college teammate Simon Becher in the 88th.

The Crew (5-0-3, 18 points) tied the franchise record for longest unbeaten streak to start the season (2010, 6-0-2).

St. Louis (2-4-2, 8 points) has lost four straight. They had allowed only four goals in the previous seven matches.

Klauss put St. Louis ahead in the seventh minute to end a long team and personal drought before Columbus’ Steven Moriera equalized in the second minute of first-half stoppage time.

The first MLS meeting between the clubs was electric from the onset with St. Louis desperate to get off to a good start after three consecutive shutout defeats.

But it was Columbus that almost stuck first except for a save by Ben Lundt on Rossi that was immediately turned up field and resulted in Klauss’ first goal since May 11, 2024, while also ending the St. Louis City goalless streak at 352 minutes.

Klauss put a shot from the middle of the box then beat three Crew players to the rebound and one-bounced the ball in.

The Crew maintained 70 percent of possession in the first half and it finally paid off on Moreira’s goal.

Max Arfsten sent a cross from deep in the left corner to the center of the box and Moreira advanced from his center back position for the unmarked volley.

The Crew’s new designated player, Daniel Gazdag, acquired from the Philadelphia Union for $4 million on Friday, made his debut at the start of the second half.

After Rossi put the Crew ahead, Klauss had a goal disallowed in the 68th minute because he was offside.

–Field Level Media