Columbus Crew head coach Robert Warzycha has praised Eddie Gaven for stepping into his team's midfield after Adam Moffat was injured.

"It's gelling. He's had good games against Toronto and the last one," Warzycha said of Gaven.

"His endurance is unbelievable. He can run forever. He's always active. He's got a good first touch and he just works, works, works. That's what you need.

"More than anything we were trying to put the best team on the field. With Robbie and Ekpo playing well, Eddie Gaven was also playing well so we were trying to keep him on the field," he said.

"Obviously, with Ekpo being inside that didn't work as well we thought it would. That was a switch that probably was necessary."