When the Columbus Crew paid a reported $4.5 million to pry Dániel Gazdag away from the Philadelphia Union this spring, the move was sold as immediate roster improvement.
The new Columbus Crew DP fit the bill as a proven goal-scorer, MLS Best XI talent, and a player who could replace the attacking output lost when the club moved on from other forwards. He left Philly as one of the club’s all-time scorers and came to Columbus as a Designated Player.
$4.5 Million Gamble
But a transfer fee of that size brings with it expectations. And you can’t miss on a wager this big.
Most fans will agree Gazdag’s time in Columbus thus far has been far from great – and the numbers make it clear. He just hasn’t performed at a DP level for the Crew.
Daniel Gazdag Stats: What Do the Numbers Say?
Daniel Gazdag’s stats in Philadelphia have produced the kind of numbers that justify a DP price tag. He finished his Union career as the clubs top scorer. In Columbus, however, his per-match impact and finishing rate has trailed even backup attackers.
With two games left in the regular season, Gazdag has three goals over 1,996 minutes. Compare that to two goals in 494 minutes with the Union prior to his transfer. The advanced stats make the picture even clearer. Gazdag is underperforming his expected goals (xG) of 7.3 with the Crew and his shot-creating actions (SCA) per 90 have dropped from 4.01 to 2.30 since joining the Crew.
That difference, high output in Philadelphia versus virtually no production in Columbus, has fans questioning whether Gazdag is truly worth his DP price tag. Was the move from the front office a panic move to appease fans, or was his tactical fit taken into consideration? The Crew’s setup and personnel are not identical to the Union.
Columbus have maybe the most complex offensive structure in the league, with a possession-based approach to create overloads in half-spaces. Still, when a club spends DP resources on a player, the tolerance for “integrating into the team” is shorter, and supporters expect quick results. Just look at the start that Zelarayan, Cucho and Rossi had when they joined as Columbus Crew DPs.
Not All DPs Deliver
Gazdag’s poor results aren’t unprecedented in MLS.
The league has a long list of Designated Players (DPs) who arrived with high expectations and failed to make the impact their transfer fees suggested. Those ‘misses’ are reminders that a shiny DP label doesn’t guarantee on field production.
Union Capture MLS Supporters Shield While Crew Wait for DP to Deliver
So where does that leave Gazdag and the Crew? Well, the margin for error is shrinking and fans are running out of patience.
Columbus invested cash and a DP slot expecting improvement in goals and creativity. Columbus are limping into the playoffs while the Union secured the MLS Supporters’ Shield. Gazdag has a track record to answer the call, but advanced stats leave much room for improvement.
For the players and the club, the playoffs are fast approaching. Gazdag must step up now or be labelled what no player wants to be – a bust.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / NurPhoto
Recording Date: 17.09.2025