Daniel Gazdag: A Potential Game-Changer for Columbus Crew | OneFootball

The Background

Daniel Gazdag, born on March 2, 1996, in Nyíregyháza, Hungary, has made a name for himself as a versatile attacking midfielder in MLS. Gazdag began his professional career with Budapest Honvéd FC, where he played from 2014 to 2021. During his tenure, he helped the team secure the NB I title in the 2016-17 season. In 2021, he made a significant move to Major League Soccer (MLS), joining the Philadelphia Union. Gazdag quickly adapted to the league, becoming a key player for the Union and earning recognition for his performances. Now, Gazdag is headed to the Crew in a blockbuster deal.

In-Depth Analysis Using Advanced Analytics

To understand the new $4 million DP's potential impact on Columbus Crew, let's delve into his advanced statistics per Fbref.

Goal Scoring and Creativity

Gazdag's goal-scoring ability is THE reason the Crew pulled the trigger on this deal. In 2024, he averaged 0.47 non-penalty goals per 90 minutes, placing him in the 93rd percentile among attacking midfielders and wingers. His non-penalty expected goals (npxG) per 90 minutes was 0.38, which is in the 85th percentile. He tallied 17 goals for the Union last season and already has 2 goals in 6 games in 2025 with an xG of 1.1. Gazdag has scored 13 game-winning goals and is the all-time leading scorer in Philadelphia Union history with 59 goals over 125 regular-season appearances.

Comparing Gazdag to Columbus Crew players familiar to fans, such as club legend Lucas Zelarayán, and provides a clearer picture of his potential impact. Zelarayán averaged 0.41 non-penalty goals per 90 minutes during his time with the Crew. Gazdag's goal-scoring stats are slightly higher, indicating he has the potential to be as prolific as Zelarayán in the attacking third.

In terms of creativity, Gazdag averages 3.59 shot-creating actions (SCA) per 90 minutes, placing him in the 62nd percentile. His expected assisted goals (xAG) per 90 minutes is 2.9 in 2025. These stats highlight his ability to create opportunities for his teammates.

Gazdag is also effective in possession and distribution. He attempted 38.41 passes per 90 minutes in 2024 with an impressive completion rate of 81.6%, placing him in the 90th percentile. This shows his capability to advance the ball and maintain possession under pressure. Again, to put these stats into perspective, Crew captain, Darlington Nagbe, who excels in possession and passing has a pass completion rate of 90.2% and 5.20 progressive passes per 90 minutes. While Gazdag's passing stats are slightly lower, 5.01 in 2024, his goal-scoring and creative abilities could provide a different dimension to the Crew's midfield.

Daniel Gazdag's advanced statistics showcase his potential to elevate the Columbus Crew. His goal-scoring prowess, creativity, and versatility make him a valuable asset in an offence that is not scoring as often as years past. Crew fans are rightfully optimistic about Gazdag's ability to significantly enhance the team's performance and bring new energy to the field.