Columbus Crew SC are not one of the 11 MLS clubs to own and operate a USL franchise, but they are one of the additional nine to have formed a partnership with a third-division team. To replace their 2015 affiliation with the now-defunct Austin Aztex, the Crew partnered with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds at the beginning of the 2016 season, meaning they would send players on-loan to get playing time in Pittsburgh.
At the time of this writing Marshall Hollingsworth is the only Crew-affiliated player with the Riverhounds. Ben Swanson made five USL appearances before suffering a season-ending injury.