Valentín Castellanos scored in the 36th minute, Sean Johnson got his seventh shutout of the season and New York City FC beat the Columbus Crew 1-0 on Wednesday night.

New York (12-5-8) won for the fifth time in seven games to move within a point of Eastern Conference leaders Philadelphia and Atlanta. Columbus (7-15-6) lost for the first time in seven games.

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Columbus Crew forward David Accam (29), left, controls the ball in front of New York City FC midfielder Gary Macay-Steven during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019, in New York. (AP PhotoKathy Willens)

Valentín Castellanos scored in the 36th minute, Sean Johnson got his seventh shutout of the season and New York City FC beat the Columbus Crew 1-0 on Wednesday night.
New York City FC forward Heber (9) of Brazil defends Columbus Crew midfielder Artur (8) as New York City FC midfielder Maximiliano Moralez (10) looks on during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019, in New York. (AP PhotoKathy Willens)

NYCFC forward Alexandru Mitrita took advantage of a defensive mistake at midfield in the 86th minute, and dribbled down the left side on a breakaway but his shot was denied by Columbus goalkeeper Eloy Room. Keaton Parks also had a late attempt blocked by Room.
Columbus Crew defender Jonathan Mensah (4) sends New York City FC midfielder Valentin Castellanos (11) flying during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019, in New York. (AP PhotoKathy Willens)

Columbus Crew defender Jonathan Mensah (4) sends New York City FC midfielder Valentin Castellanos (11) flying during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019, in New York. (AP PhotoKathy Willens)
Columbus Crew defender Alex Crognale (21), left, and Crew goalkeeper Elroy Room, right, react after Columbus gave up a goal to New York City FC midfielder Valentin Castellanos (not shown) during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019, in New York. (AP PhotoKathy Willens)

Columbus Crew defender Alex Crognale (21), left, and Crew goalkeeper Elroy Room, right, react after Columbus gave up a goal to New York City FC midfielder Valentin Castellanos (not shown) during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019, in New York. (AP PhotoKathy Willens)
New York City FC midfielder Valentin Castellanos sets up to kick a goal during the first half of the team's MLS soccer match against the Columbus Crew, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019, in New York. (AP PhotoKathy Willens)

New York City FC midfielder Valentin Castellanos sets up to kick a goal during the first half of the team's MLS soccer match against the Columbus Crew, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019, in New York. (AP PhotoKathy Willens)
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Columbus Crew forward David Accam (29), left, controls the ball in front of New York City FC midfielder Gary Macay-Steven during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019, in New York. (AP PhotoKathy Willens)

Valentín Castellanos scored in the 36th minute, Sean Johnson got his seventh shutout of the season and New York City FC beat the Columbus Crew 1-0 on Wednesday night.

New York City FC forward Heber (9) of Brazil defends Columbus Crew midfielder Artur (8) as New York City FC midfielder Maximiliano Moralez (10) looks on during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019, in New York. (AP PhotoKathy Willens)

NYCFC forward Alexandru Mitrita took advantage of a defensive mistake at midfield in the 86th minute, and dribbled down the left side on a breakaway but his shot was denied by Columbus goalkeeper Eloy Room. Keaton Parks also had a late attempt blocked by Room.

Columbus Crew defender Jonathan Mensah (4) sends New York City FC midfielder Valentin Castellanos (11) flying during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019, in New York. (AP PhotoKathy Willens)

Columbus Crew defender Jonathan Mensah (4) sends New York City FC midfielder Valentin Castellanos (11) flying during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019, in New York. (AP PhotoKathy Willens)

Columbus Crew defender Alex Crognale (21), left, and Crew goalkeeper Elroy Room, right, react after Columbus gave up a goal to New York City FC midfielder Valentin Castellanos (not shown) during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019, in New York. (AP PhotoKathy Willens)

Columbus Crew defender Alex Crognale (21), left, and Crew goalkeeper Elroy Room, right, react after Columbus gave up a goal to New York City FC midfielder Valentin Castellanos (not shown) during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019, in New York. (AP PhotoKathy Willens)

New York City FC midfielder Valentin Castellanos sets up to kick a goal during the first half of the team's MLS soccer match against the Columbus Crew, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019, in New York. (AP PhotoKathy Willens)

New York City FC midfielder Valentin Castellanos sets up to kick a goal during the first half of the team's MLS soccer match against the Columbus Crew, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019, in New York. (AP PhotoKathy Willens)

Castellanos scored his 10th goal of the season by getting past the defense for Maximiliano Moralez's lofted pass and sending it inside the far post. Castellanos has scored five goals in the past four games.

Columbus Crew forward David Accam (29), left, controls the ball in front of New York City FC midfielder Gary Macay-Steven during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019, in New York. (AP PhotoKathy Willens)

Columbus Crew forward David Accam (29), left, controls the ball in front of New York City FC midfielder Gary Macay-Steven during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019, in New York. (AP PhotoKathy Willens)

NYCFC forward Alexandru Mitrita took advantage of a defensive mistake at midfield in the 86th minute, and dribbled down the left side on a breakaway but his shot was denied by Columbus goalkeeper Eloy Room. Keaton Parks also had a late attempt blocked by Room.

It was NYCFC's first clean sheet since July 3 against Seattle.

New York City FC forward Heber (9) of Brazil defends Columbus Crew midfielder Artur (8) as New York City FC midfielder Maximiliano Moralez (10) looks on during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019, in New York. (AP PhotoKathy Willens)

New York City FC forward Heber (9) of Brazil defends Columbus Crew midfielder Artur (8) as New York City FC midfielder Maximiliano Moralez (10) looks on during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019, in New York. (AP PhotoKathy Willens)

 Columbus Crew defender Jonathan Mensah (4) sends New York City FC midfielder Valentin Castellanos (11) flying during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019, in New York. (AP PhotoKathy Willens)

Columbus Crew defender Jonathan Mensah (4) sends New York City FC midfielder Valentin Castellanos (11) flying during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019, in New York. (AP PhotoKathy Willens)

 Columbus Crew defender Alex Crognale (21), left, and Crew goalkeeper Elroy Room, right, react after Columbus gave up a goal to New York City FC midfielder Valentin Castellanos (not shown) during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019, in New York. (AP PhotoKathy Willens)

Columbus Crew defender Alex Crognale (21), left, and Crew goalkeeper Elroy Room, right, react after Columbus gave up a goal to New York City FC midfielder Valentin Castellanos (not shown) during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019, in New York. (AP PhotoKathy Willens)
New York City FC midfielder Valentin Castellanos sets up to kick a goal during the first half of the team's MLS soccer match against the Columbus Crew, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019, in New York. (AP PhotoKathy Willens)

New York City FC midfielder Valentin Castellanos sets up to kick a goal during the first half of the team's MLS soccer match against the Columbus Crew, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019, in New York. (AP PhotoKathy Willens)