16-year-old Bello scores, Atlanta tops New England

ATLANTA >> Sixteen-yearold George Bello scored his first professional goal and Atlanta United stayed in front of the Supporters’ Shield race with a 2-1 victory over the New England Revolution on Saturday.

Bello opened the scoring in the 17th minute, settling Leandro Gonzalez Pirez’s pass along the left wing and finishing with a low, hard leftfooted shot. Bello became the sixth-youngest player to score an MLS goal at 16 years,

257 days.

Julian Gressel made it 2-0 for Atlanta United

(20-6-6) in the 52nd minute. Hector Villalba slipped a pass behind the defender and Gressel slotted it into the far corner.

Juan Agudelo scored in the 92nd minute for the Revs (8-12-11). New England was all but eliminated from playoff contention — eight points behind the sixth-place Montreal Impact with three games to go.

Atlanta’s Miguel Almiron left in the 30th minute with an apparent leg injury.

IMPACT 3, CREW 0 >> Saphir Taider scored on a penalty kick and had assists to help Montreal beat Columbus.

Alejandro Silva and Ignacio Piatti also scored, and Evan Bush made nine saves for his ninth shutout of the season. The Impact (13-15-4) remained alive in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Columbus (13-10-9) needs one point in its last two matches to secure a playoff spot.