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Max Arfsten

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Max Arfsten
Arfsten with the Columbus Crew in 2026
Personal information
Full name Maximilian Michael Arfsten[1]
Date of birth (2001-04-19) April 19, 2001 (age 25)
Place of birth Fresno, California, United States
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[2]
Position Winger
Team information
Current team
 Columbus Crew
Number 27
Youth career
2010–2019 California Odyssey
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019–2021 UC Davis Aggies 39 (9)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022 San Jose Earthquakes II 24 (9)
2023– Columbus Crew 84 (13)
2023 → Columbus Crew 2 1 (0)
International career‡
2025– United States 20 (1)
Medal record
Representing  United States
Runner-up CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 05:15, 11 May 2026 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals as of June 6, 2026

Maximilian Michael Arfsten (born April 19, 2001) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a winger for Major League Soccer club Columbus Crew and the United States national team.

Early years

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Youth

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Arfsten attended San Joaquin Memorial High School. In 2016, he posted 21 goals, 11 assists and earned all-league first team honors. He ended his junior season with All-CMAC first team recognition and league MVP honors by posting 20 goals and 21 assists. He helped the team win the league and Central Section championships that year, also earning all-league first team honors for the third straight season, and captured league MVP accolades for the second year in a row after ending his final season with 50 goals and 20 assists.[3] Arfsten also played club soccer with local side California Odyssey for nine years, where he was the leading National Premier League goal scorer.[4][5]

College

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In 2019, Arfsten attended the University of California, Davis to play college soccer. Between 2019 and 2021, he made 39 appearances for the Aggies, scoring nine goals and tallying eight assists. He earned Big West Conference All-Freshman Team honors in 2019. His sophomore season was canceled due to COVID-19, and just ahead of his junior season, he broke his foot and was out for five months.[3] He was named Big West Offensive Player of the Year and All-Big West First Team in 2021.[4][6] Prior to the 2022 season, Arfsten opted to leave college early and play professionally.

Club career

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San Jose Earthquakes II

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In 2022, he signed his first contract with MLS Next Pro side San Jose Earthquakes II ahead of their inaugural season.[7][8] In his lone season with the Quakes reserve team, Arfsten scored nine goals in 24 appearances.[9]

Columbus Crew

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2023

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In December 2022, Arfsten was announced as eligible for selection in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft.[10] He was selected 14th overall by the Columbus Crew on December 21, 2022.[11][12][13] He signed a two-year deal with the Major League Soccer side on February 21, 2023.[14][15][16] Arfsten made his debut and scored his first goal for Columbus on March 25, 2023, in a 6–1 victory over Atlanta United after coming on as a late substitute.[17] He made his first start on June 3, replacing Mohamed Farsi in the starting lineup after the wing-back was injured during warmups. Playing on the right side, Arfsten scored and assisted in the 4–2 win against Charlotte FC.[18][19] During the 2023 playoffs, he scored in the only match he appeared in as his side would go on to win the MLS Cup.[20]

2024

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During the 2024 season, Arfsten entrenched himself as the starting left wing-back in a 3–5–2 formation. He made his CONCACAF Champions Cup debut off the bench on March 6, 2024 in a 1–0 win for the Crew against the Houston Dynamo in the round-of-16. On April 9, Arfsten took the final penalty in the shootout win versus Tigres UANL at Estadio Universitario to send Columbus to the semifinals of the Champions Cup.[21][22] He scored in back-to-back league games on May 11 and May 15.[23] During the 2024 Leagues Cup, Arfsten started all five games as his club won the tournament. On September 21, he had two assists in the match against Orlando City, with the first assist coming with his left foot while the second came from his right.[23][24] On October 16, it was announced that Arfsten had signed a contract extension until 2027, with a club option for 2028.[25]

2025

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Arfsten scored his first goal in 2025 against expansion side San Diego FC, in a 1–1 draw at Snapdragon Stadium.[26]

International career

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Arfsten with the United States in 2025.

On January 6, 2025, Arfsten was called up to the United States national team by head coach Mauricio Pochettino ahead of the January camp in Florida, with friendlies against Venezuela and Costa Rica.[27] Arfsten made his debut on January 18, 2025 versus Venezuela.[28] Arfsten netted his first career international goal in the semifinals of the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup against Panama.[29] He played significant minutes in the tournament, starting in all but one game for the U.S., as they finished runner-up in the competition to Mexico.[30]

Style of play

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Arfsten (left) in a match against Belgium.

A two-footed player, Arfsten has been noted for his bravery, technical ability, and penchant for taking players on via the dribble.[30][31] He has described himself as a player that "like[s] to dribble a lot and be shifty as much as I can, just to create chances, so I think my aggressiveness in my attack sets me apart."[3][32]

Personal life

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Arfsten has stated that his soccer inspiration is Neymar.[33]

Career statistics

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International

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As of match played June 6, 2026[34]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
United States 2025 16 1
2026 4 0
Total 20 1
Scores and results list United States goal tally first.
List of international goals scored by Maximillian Arfsten
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 29 June 2025 U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, United States  Costa Rica 2–1 2–2
(4–3 p)		 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup

Honors

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Columbus Crew

Individual

References

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  1. ^ "2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup – Club roster: Columbus Crew (USA)" (PDF). CONCACAF. January 30, 2024. p. 6. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  2. ^ "FIFA World Cup 2026: Squad List" (PDF). FIFA. June 2, 2026. Retrieved June 2, 2026.
  3. ^ a b c Romo, Vanessa (March 21, 2022). "Fresno native Max Arfsten signs to San Jose Earthquakes". KMPH. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  4. ^ a b "Maximilian Arfsten - Men's Soccer". UC Davis Athletics.
  5. ^ "General 2". California Odyssey Soccer Club.
  6. ^ Spencer, Jason (November 12, 2021). "Arfsten, Mejia take home top Big West honors". UC Davis Athletics. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  7. ^ "NEWS: Earthquakes Announce Quakes II Roster | RSL Monarchs". sjearthquakes.
  8. ^ "QUAKES II PREVIEW: Pacific Division Team Introductions | RSL Monarchs". sjearthquakes.
  9. ^ "Max Arfsten | MLSsoccer.com". mlsnextpro.
  10. ^ "MLS SuperDraft 2023 eligible players | MLSSoccer.com". mlssoccer.
  11. ^ "Former Aggie Maximilian Arfsten Selected 14th Overall in 2023 MLS SuperDraft". bigwest.org. December 20, 2024.
  12. ^ "MLS SuperDraft 2023: The Crew select Maximilian Arfsten No. 14 overall". Massive Report. December 21, 2022.[dead link]
  13. ^ "Columbus Crew Selects Three Players in 2023 MLS SuperDraft Presented by Adidas | Columbus Crew". ColumbusCrew.com.
  14. ^ "Columbus Crew signs MLS SuperDraft pick Maximilian "Max" Arfsten | Columbus Crew". ColumbusCrew.com.
  15. ^ "Arfsten Signs With Columbus Crew". UC Davis Athletics. February 21, 2023.
  16. ^ "Columbus Crew sign 2023 SuperDraft first round pick Max Arfsten to two-year contract". The Columbus Dispatch.
  17. ^ Gay, Colin (March 25, 2023). "New-look Columbus Crew rolls through Atlanta United for 6-1 home win". The Columbus Dispatch. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  18. ^ Johnson, Bailey (June 4, 2023). "'We are growing': Takeaways and analysis from the Crew's 4-2 win over Charlotte FC". The Columbus Dispatch.
  19. ^ Fisher, Tyler (June 4, 2023). "Christian Ramirez brace leads to Crew's 4-2 win vs. Charlotte FC". Massive Report. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  20. ^ "Max Arfsten 2023 Match Logs". FBref.com. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  21. ^ Benatar, Orri (April 10, 2024). "Crew make first CONCACAF semifinals after beating Tigres on penalties". NBC4 WCMH-TV. Archived from the original on January 9, 2025. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
  22. ^ "Patrick Schulte heroics push Columbus Crew to historic upset of Tigres UANL | MLSSoccer.com". mlssoccer. April 10, 2024. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
  23. ^ a b "Max Arfsten 2024 Match Logs". FBref.com. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  24. ^ Columbus Crew vs. Orlando City | 7 Goal Battle! | Full Match Highlights (Video). Major League Soccer. September 21, 2024. Archived from the original on January 30, 2026.
  25. ^ "Columbus Crew sign Max Arfsten to multi-year contract extension". ColumbusCrew.com. October 16, 2024. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  26. ^ "2025 Max Arfsten Match Logs". FBref.com. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
  27. ^ "Twenty-Four Players Called for First USMNT January Training Camp Under Mauricio Pochettino". ussoccer.com. Retrieved May 11, 2026.
  28. ^ "USMNT vs. Venezuela: Starting XI & Lineup Notes". ussoccer.com. Retrieved May 11, 2026.
  29. ^ "U.S. Men's National Team Advances to Gold Cup Semifinals with Win over Costa Rica in Penalty Kicks". ussoccer.com. Retrieved May 11, 2026.
  30. ^ a b "From A to Z: Arfsten, Zendejas Combine to Score Opening Goal for USMNT". ussoccer.com. Retrieved May 11, 2026.
  31. ^ "USMNT roster prediction: Who could make January 2025 camp?". mlssoccer. Retrieved May 11, 2026.
  32. ^ Doyle, Matthew (December 18, 2024). "USMNT roster prediction: Who could make January 2025 camp?". mlssoccer. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  33. ^ Renkel, Favian (June 5, 2025). "Max Arfsten's Rise: From MLS NEXT Pro Pioneer to USMNT Mainstay". Urban Pitch. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  34. ^ Max Arfsten at National-Football-Teams.com
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