The Crew plays a possession-style attack, as does Miami, and is getting adjusted to playing without Cucho Hernandez, who left for Spanish club Real Betis. Daniel Gazdag, a designated player who joined Columbus from Philadelphia, remains scoreless through his first eight games with the Crew and has no assists.

Columbus Crew extended their winless streak to five games with a 2-2 draw against Nashville SC. Crew goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen has logged two solid starts since stepping into the starting role for an injured Patrick Schule, but he is without a win to show for those performances.