Max Arfsten: Columbus Crew and USMNT Player Profile 2026

Max Arfsten is an American wingback for Columbus Crew and the United States men’s national team. Born in Fresno, California, on 19 April 2001, he played college soccer at UC Davis and Cal State Fullerton, spent a season with San Jose Earthquakes II and entered MLS as the 14th pick in the 2023 SuperDraft. Columbus developed him into an attack-minded left wingback who can also play on the right or farther forward.

Arfsten won MLS Cup in his first Columbus season and added the 2024 Leagues Cup. He reached the USMNT in January 2025, played 16 senior internationals that year and led the team with five assists. He scored against Costa Rica during the 2025 Gold Cup and made his World Cup debut as a late substitute against Belgium in the 2026 round of 16. U.S. Soccer listed him with 21 caps, one goal and five assists after the tournament.

Max Arfsten profile

MLS lists Arfsten as a midfielder, while U.S. Soccer lists him as a defender. Both descriptions fit his wingback role. He starts from a wide defensive position, pushes into midfield during possession and often arrives near the penalty area. The positional label depends on the team’s formation.

Current role with Columbus Crew

An attack-minded wingback

Arfsten wears number 27 for Columbus. He provides width, carries the ball forward and joins attacks around the far post. His athletic range lets the Crew use a back three in possession while still asking him to recover into a defensive line.

Columbus listed him under contract for the 2026 season. His role remained important after a coaching change because the squad still needed wide players who could create without leaving the rest of the team exposed. Readers can follow the broader schedule through the matches hub.

Production before the World Cup

MLS credited Arfsten with four goals and four assists before the 2026 World Cup break, tied for the Crew lead with eight goal contributions. That output built on his 2025 season and supported his place in the United States squad.

Goal contributions show his attacking impact, though a wingback also needs to press, defend transitions and protect the far side when the ball moves away from him.

Fresno youth soccer background

Nine years with California Odyssey

Arfsten spent nine years with California Odyssey Soccer Club in Fresno. U.S. Soccer describes his hometown background as a source of his competitive approach, and he has returned during offseasons to train with younger players.

The long youth spell gave him technical repetitions before college. He learned to play in wide and attacking roles, skills that later helped him adapt to wingback.

San Joaquin Memorial High School

Arfsten attended San Joaquin Memorial High School. He entered college without the national profile attached to many academy recruits, and UC Davis brought him in as a walk-on.

The route required him to earn each next step through performance. His later rise through MLS NEXT Pro and the SuperDraft followed the same pattern.

UC Davis career

Walk-on to scholarship player

Arfsten joined UC Davis as a walk-on in 2019 and earned a scholarship. He started 16 of 19 matches as a freshman, scored a Big West tournament semifinal winner and made the conference All-Freshman Team.

UC Davis used him as a midfielder. The role helped him learn how to receive between lines, attack space and create from wide areas rather than staying in a fixed defensive position.

2019 Big West recognition

Arfsten recorded his first college assist against Cal State Fullerton and his first goal against the same opponent in the conference tournament. Nine of his 20 shots reached the target during the season.

The numbers show a player growing into attacking responsibility. His scholarship reflected both match performance and training progress.

Pandemic interruption

2020 season cancellation

The Big West canceled the 2020 season during the COVID-19 pandemic. Arfsten lost a normal year of college competition and later continued his career at Cal State Fullerton.

The interruption delayed his pathway, but it also made the 2021 season a key chance to regain rhythm and show professional potential.

Cal State Fullerton season

Transfer for 2021

Arfsten played at Cal State Fullerton in 2021. The move gave him another Big West environment and a chance to take on a larger attacking role.

His college experience across two programs prepared him for the flexible demands of MLS NEXT Pro. He had played midfield, attacked from wide areas and worked in systems that changed by opponent.

San Jose Earthquakes II

First professional season in 2022

Arfsten joined San Jose Earthquakes II for the inaugural MLS NEXT Pro season in 2022. The competition placed him against professional and academy players while keeping him visible to MLS scouting departments.

He produced in attacking positions and showed that his college skills could translate to a faster professional game. Columbus then selected him in the SuperDraft.

Why MLS NEXT Pro mattered

MLS NEXT Pro gave Arfsten a bridge between college and the first division. He learned the weekly training demands of a professional club and faced defenders with more physical experience.

The season also helped Columbus evaluate him through senior match footage rather than college projection alone.

2023 MLS SuperDraft

Selected 14th overall by Columbus

Columbus Crew selected Arfsten with the 14th overall pick in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft. U.S. Soccer’s official profile confirms the selection after his time at UC Davis, Cal State Fullerton and San Jose Earthquakes II.

The Crew did not need him to arrive as a finished player. The coaching staff saw a wide attacker with the physical capacity and game understanding to learn wingback.

Immediate MLS impact

Debut goal against Atlanta

Arfsten made his MLS debut on 25 March 2023 during a 6-1 win over Atlanta United. He also scored his first MLS goal in that match. The contribution gave him a strong start, although he still needed to earn regular minutes in a championship-level squad.

Early appearances came from the bench and in rotated lineups. He learned the movements required by Wilfried Nancy’s possession system while competing with established teammates.

MLS Cup champion in 2023

First-season trophy

Columbus won MLS Cup in Arfsten’s rookie season. The Crew beat Atlanta, Orlando City and FC Cincinnati in the Eastern playoffs before defeating LAFC in the final.

Arfsten’s role across the season provided depth and energy. The title gave him experience inside a team that handled knockout pressure and controlled matches through possession.

Breakout during 2024

More minutes at wingback

Arfsten’s role grew in 2024. He started more matches, carried the ball from deeper positions and learned the defensive timing required on the left side.

Wingback suited his background because it preserved his attacking instincts while adding responsibility against transitions. His ability to use either side also gave Columbus tactical options.

Concacaf Champions Cup run

Columbus reached the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup final after eliminating teams from the United States and Mexico. The Crew lost the final to Pachuca, but the run exposed Arfsten to different venues and styles.

Continental matches demanded careful positioning because losing the ball in an advanced wide role could open space behind him.

2024 Leagues Cup champion

Another knockout trophy

Columbus won the 2024 Leagues Cup. Arfsten contributed during a tournament that required the Crew to manage short recovery periods and elimination matches.

The title strengthened the team’s record under Nancy and gave Arfsten another season of pressure experience before his national-team debut.

Strong 2025 MLS season

Four goals and eight assists

U.S. Soccer records four goals and eight assists for Arfsten during the 2025 MLS regular season. The 12 direct contributions reflected his growth as a wide creator.

Assists came from crosses, cutbacks and passes after carries. His movement also created space for teammates even when he did not make the final pass.

First MLS All-Star selection

MLS selected Arfsten for the 2025 All-Star Team. The honor placed him among the league’s top performers and arrived during the same year as his senior international breakthrough.

Club form gave U.S. Soccer coaches evidence that his energy and chance creation could transfer to international matches.

Second MLS All-Star selection in 2026

Coach’s selection after the World Cup

Arfsten earned a second consecutive All-Star place in July 2026. MLS listed him as a coach’s selection after he returned from his first World Cup.

The repeat honor shows that his 2025 season was not a short spike. He sustained production into 2026 while preparing for national-team camps.

How Arfsten fits the Columbus system

Width during possession

Columbus can position Arfsten high and wide when the team builds through its center backs. Staying near the touchline forces the opposing fullback to choose between following him or protecting the inside channel. If the defender stays narrow, Arfsten can receive with space to carry forward. If the defender moves outside, a Crew attacker can use the gap between fullback and center back.

His first touch sets up the next action. Receiving toward the opponent’s goal allows a quick cross or combination, while receiving under pressure may require a return pass and a new run. The role demands patience because forcing the first available delivery can waste a promising position.

Defensive rotation behind his runs

A center back or midfielder often shifts toward Arfsten’s side when he advances. That rotation protects the space behind him and gives the Crew a better position to stop a counterattack. Arfsten still carries responsibility for recognizing when the attack has ended and beginning his recovery.

The balance changes with the game state. Columbus can release him earlier while chasing a goal, then ask him to hold a deeper starting position when protecting a lead. His experience on both flanks helps the coaches make those adjustments without changing the overall formation.

Playing style

Ball carrying and forward runs

Arfsten can move the team upfield with direct carries. He uses long strides to attack space and can continue beyond a teammate to receive near the end line.

Those runs stretch the opposing defense. A wingback who stays wide can open an inside lane for a midfielder or forward.

Crosses and cutbacks

Arfsten creates chances by crossing from advanced areas and pulling passes back toward the penalty spot. The 2025 assist total showed how often Columbus converted those deliveries.

The best choice depends on the defensive line. Early crosses target runners before defenders set, while cutbacks punish a defense dropping toward its own goal.

Pressing and recovery speed

Columbus asks wide players to press after losing possession. Arfsten’s running power helps him close the ball and recover toward the back line.

His defensive growth remains tied to timing. Pressing too early can leave a pass behind him, while waiting gives the opponent room to turn.

Two-sided versatility

Arfsten has played on both flanks. On the left, he can attack the outside or move inside on his stronger right foot. On the right, he can deliver with his right foot from a more natural crossing angle.

The versatility gives coaches a way to change shape without making a substitution.

USMNT debut in January 2025

First cap against Venezuela

Arfsten made his senior United States debut against Venezuela on 18 January 2025 in Fort Lauderdale. The January camp gave MLS players a chance to work with Mauricio Pochettino before the full international windows.

He used that opening to stay in the squad. Sixteen appearances during the year showed that the staff viewed him as more than a camp experiment.

2025 Nations League Finals

Starting both matches

Arfsten started both United States matches at the 2025 Concacaf Nations League Finals. The team lost to Panama in the semifinal and Canada in the third-place match.

The results tested his defensive positioning against strong regional opponents. Pochettino continued selecting him afterward.

2025 Concacaf Gold Cup

Appearing in all six matches

Arfsten played in every U.S. match as the team reached the Gold Cup final. The tournament gave him repeated minutes across group and knockout stages.

He contributed assists against Trinidad and Tobago and Costa Rica. U.S. Soccer records five total assists for his senior career through July 2026.

First international goal against Costa Rica

Arfsten scored his first senior international goal during the quarterfinal against Costa Rica on 29 June 2025. He struck in the 47th minute of a 2-2 draw, and the United States advanced on penalties.

The goal showed his ability to arrive from wingback into a finishing position. It remains his only USMNT goal through the 2026 World Cup.

Runner-up finish

The United States reached the final and lost to Mexico. Arfsten’s six tournament appearances strengthened his place in the squad during the second half of 2025.

His year ended with 16 appearances and a team-leading five assists, according to U.S. Soccer.

2026 World Cup selection

Number 18 in the final squad

Pochettino selected Arfsten as one of ten defenders for the 2026 World Cup. He wore number 18 and entered the tournament with 18 senior caps.

Competition on the left included Antonee Robinson, while other wide defenders offered different profiles. The teams and squads hub provides full roster context.

World Cup role before Belgium

Unused in the first four matches

Arfsten did not play against Paraguay, Australia, Türkiye or Bosnia and Herzegovina. U.S. Soccer listed him among the three squad members without tournament minutes before the round-of-16 match.

Training and selection made him a World Cup squad member, while the official appearance record remained zero until Belgium.

World Cup debut against Belgium

Late substitute in the round of 16

Arfsten made his World Cup debut against Belgium on 6 July 2026 in Seattle. He replaced Robinson in second-half stoppage time, with U.S. Soccer recording the change at 90+2.

Belgium won 4-1 and ended the United States campaign. Arfsten’s tournament record is one substitute appearance and no start. He entered too late for the result to serve as a broad assessment of his performance.

United States tournament run

Group winners to round of 16

The United States beat Paraguay and Australia, lost to Türkiye after securing first place, defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32 and lost to Belgium in the round of 16.

Readers can use the groups guide, round-of-32 guide and stadiums guide for tournament structure.

USMNT record after the World Cup

Twenty-one caps, one goal and five assists

U.S. Soccer listed Arfsten with 21 senior appearances, one goal and five assists after the Belgium match. His World Cup debut added the 21st cap.

The five assists all came during his rapid 2025 rise. Future updates should keep club and national-team figures separate.

Comparison within the USMNT wide roles

Arfsten and Antonee Robinson

Robinson offers extensive Premier League and international experience at left back. Arfsten provides a more attacking MLS wingback option and can play on either side.

Their roles can change with formation. A back three gives Arfsten more freedom to advance, while a back four increases his defensive responsibility.

Connection with the goalkeeper group

Arfsten shared the World Cup squad with Matt Freese, Matt Turner and Chris Brady. Clear communication between goalkeeper and wingback matters when opponents switch play or attack the back post.

The United States used different goalkeepers during the group stage, but Arfsten’s own appearance came with Freese in goal against Belgium.

Areas for continued development

Defending the far post

Arfsten can keep improving his body position when crosses arrive from the opposite side. He must track the winger, see the ball and judge whether to challenge in the air.

International opponents punish a lost step. Repeated club minutes help turn those reads into habits.

Final-ball consistency

His assist record shows clear creation value. More consistent weight and timing can raise the percentage of crosses that reach a teammate rather than a crowded area.

Choosing the cutback earlier can also reduce blocked deliveries when a defender closes the end line.

Decision-making after turnovers

A high wingback must decide whether to counterpress or recover after losing the ball. The correct choice depends on teammate positions and the opponent’s first pass.

Arfsten’s speed helps him recover, while earlier recognition can prevent the race from starting.

Career timeline

• 2019: Joined UC Davis as a walk-on and made the Big West All-Freshman Team.
• 2020: Lost the college season to the Big West pandemic cancellation.
• 2021: Continued college soccer at Cal State Fullerton.
• 2022: Played professionally for San Jose Earthquakes II in MLS NEXT Pro.
• December 2022: Columbus selected him 14th overall in the MLS SuperDraft.
• 25 March 2023: Scored on his MLS debut in a 6-1 win over Atlanta United.
• 2023: Won MLS Cup with Columbus Crew.
• 2024: Won Leagues Cup and reached the Concacaf Champions Cup final.
• 18 January 2025: Made his senior USMNT debut against Venezuela.
• 29 June 2025: Scored his first international goal against Costa Rica.
• 2025: Recorded four MLS goals and eight assists and became an MLS All-Star.
• 6 July 2026: Made his World Cup debut against Belgium.
• July 2026: Earned a second consecutive MLS All-Star selection.

Frequently asked questions

How old is Max Arfsten?

Max Arfsten was born on 19 April 2001. He was 25 during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Where is Max Arfsten from?

He is from Fresno, California, and spent nine years with California Odyssey Soccer Club.

How tall is Max Arfsten?

U.S. Soccer and MLS list him at 6 feet 1 inch, approximately 1.85 metres.

What position does Max Arfsten play?

He plays as a wingback or wide midfielder. MLS lists him as a midfielder, while U.S. Soccer lists him as a defender.

What number does Max Arfsten wear?

He wears number 27 for Columbus Crew and number 18 for the United States.

When did Max Arfsten make his USMNT debut?

He made his senior debut against Venezuela on 18 January 2025.

Did Max Arfsten play at the 2026 World Cup?

Yes. He made one late substitute appearance against Belgium in the round of 16. He did not start a tournament match.

How many USMNT goals has Max Arfsten scored?

He has one senior international goal, scored against Costa Rica at the 2025 Gold Cup.

Sources and update policy

Personal details, college background, national-team figures and club highlights use the official U.S. Soccer player profile. The MLS World Cup profile supplied the pre-tournament club totals, while UC Davis supplied his college record.

The exact World Cup debut comes from U.S. Soccer’s Belgium match report. Columbus confirmed that he was under contract for 2026. This page reflects records available on 28 July 2026 and should be updated after a material club or international change.