Christian Benteke scored two goals, including one in the 81st minute, as DC United earned a 2-2 draw against visiting Columbus Crew in Washington on Saturday night.

Benteke reached the 21-goal mark of the season and scored his second goal of the game after a pass from Gabriel Pirani. His 21 goals lead MLS.

Cucho Hernandez had a goal and an assist, and Jacen Russell-Rowe also scored as both goals for the Crew came less than three minutes apart early in the second half. Columbus (16-5-9, 57 points), which has endured a grueling schedule recently, failed in its attempt to win its third straight game.

DC United (8-13-10, 34 points) has picked up at least a point in four of its last five games, but it will still be an uphill climb for the team to reach the MLS postseason with just three games remaining are left.

The Crew have scored at least two goals in their last three MLS games, but defensive failures have proven costly. Columbus regularly put pressure on DC United, but the home team had a 5-3 advantage in corner kicks.

The United scored first in the 30th minute on Benteke's goal in transition, receiving a shot from Theodore Ku-DiPietro.

The Crew got rolling early in the second half with Hernandez's goal. This was supported by Steven Moreira.

Hernandez, who has 16 goals this season, has scored in three straight games.

Russell-Rowe has scored two of his five goals this year in the past month. His goal in the 57th minute gave the Crew the lead for the first time.

Benteke scored all three of DC United's goals against Columbus this season. He had a record in a 1-1 draw at the beginning of April.

–Field level media