Max Arfsten Bio
Maximilian Michael Arfsten is an American professional soccer player who plays as a wing-back for Major League Soccer club Columbus Crew and the United States national team. Born on April 19, 2001, in Fresno, California, Arfsten has developed into one of the most versatile young wide players in the American game. Standing 6 ft 1 in tall, he combines technical quality with an attacking mindset that allows him to contribute goals and assists from wide positions.
After starring at San Joaquin Memorial High School and the University of California, Davis, Arfsten chose to turn professional rather than finish his senior college season. Since then he has won an MLS Cup, lifted the Leagues Cup, and broken into the United States national team, establishing himself as a reliable two-way presence on the left flank.
Early Life and Background
Maximilian Michael Arfsten was born and raised in Fresno, California, where he grew up surrounded by a strong soccer culture. He attended San Joaquin Memorial High School and quickly emerged as one of the most productive young attackers in the region. As a sophomore in 2016, he posted 21 goals and 11 assists and earned all-league first team honors, signaling his early scoring instincts.
His junior season brought All-CMAC first team recognition and league MVP honors after he tallied 20 goals and 21 assists. In his final year of high school, Arfsten helped San Joaquin Memorial win both the league and Central Section championships, finishing with 50 goals and 20 assists while capturing league MVP accolades for the second consecutive season. Away from school, he spent nine years with local club California Odyssey, where he became the leading goal scorer in the National Premier League.
Path to Soccer
After high school, Arfsten enrolled at the University of California, Davis in 2019 to play college soccer for the Aggies. Over three seasons he made 39 appearances, scoring nine goals and adding eight assists, and was named to the Big West Conference All-Freshman Team in his first year. His development was briefly interrupted when his sophomore season was canceled due to COVID-19 and a broken foot kept him out for five months ahead of his junior year.
In 2021, Arfsten bounced back strongly, earning Big West Offensive Player of the Year and All-Big West First Team honors. With his college eligibility winding down, he opted to leave UC Davis early and pursue a professional career ahead of the 2022 season, a decision that set the stage for his entry into Major League Soccer.
Max Arfsten Career
Early Career (2022)
Arfsten signed his first professional contract in 2022 with MLS Next Pro side San Jose Earthquakes II ahead of their inaugural season. The move gave him a full year of senior-level experience while finishing his development as a wide attacker. In his lone season with the Quakes reserve team, he scored nine goals in 24 appearances, a strong return that caught the attention of MLS clubs.
That productivity earned him a spot in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft pool, where the Columbus Crew selected him 14th overall on December 21, 2022. He signed a two-year MLS deal with the club on February 21, 2023, completing his rapid climb from college standout to first-team professional.
Columbus Crew Breakthrough (2023)
Arfsten made an immediate impact with Columbus, debuting on March 25, 2023, in a 6–1 victory over Atlanta United. Coming on as a late substitute, he scored his first goal for the club, a dream start to his MLS career. His first start came on June 3, when he replaced the injured Mohamed Farsi and responded with a goal and an assist in a 4–2 win against Charlotte FC.
During the 2023 playoffs, Arfsten found the net in his only appearance as Columbus went on to win the MLS Cup. The championship confirmed his value as a depth piece and gave him early experience of the biggest matches in American soccer.
Columbus Crew Era (2024–Present)
The 2024 season marked Arfsten’s emergence as a regular starter. He became the starting left wing-back in a 3–5–2 formation and made his CONCACAF Champions Cup debut on March 6, 2024, in a 1–0 round-of-16 win over the Houston Dynamo. On April 9, he converted the decisive penalty in a shootout victory against Tigres UANL at Estadio Universitario, sending Columbus to the semifinals. He added league goals in back-to-back matches in May and started all five games as the Crew won the Leagues Cup later that summer.
On September 21, 2024, Arfsten recorded two assists against Orlando City, showing his two-footed ability with a left-footed helper followed by a right-footed one. On October 16, 2024, the club announced a contract extension that runs through 2027, with a club option for 2028, a strong signal of his importance to the team. He opened his 2025 account with a goal in a 1–1 draw at expansion side San Diego FC at Snapdragon Stadium.
Driving Style and Strengths
A two-footed wide player, Arfsten is noted for his bravery, technical quality, and willingness to take opponents on with the dribble. He has described his game as built on aggressiveness, shifting the ball, and creating chances, qualities that fit well with Columbus’s wing-back system. His two-footed finishing and crossing allow him to operate effectively on either flank.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key moments include his dream debut goal against Atlanta United in 2023, his decisive penalty against Tigres UANL in the 2024 Champions Cup, and his two-assist performance against Orlando City later that year. He also helped Columbus win both the 2023 MLS Cup and the 2024 Leagues Cup, cementing his place in the club’s recent trophy-winning era.
Max Arfsten Career Wins
Maximilian Michael Arfsten has built a strong collection of team trophies in a short professional career, headlined by major continental and domestic honors with the Columbus Crew. His winning habit began at the youth level with San Joaquin Memorial and has continued into the professional ranks.
Club Honors Highlights
With Columbus, Arfsten won the MLS Cup in 2023 and the Leagues Cup in 2024, contributing goals and starts across both campaigns. At the high school level, he helped San Joaquin Memorial capture league and Central Section championships in his final season. His trophy haul reflects both personal output and consistent team success.
Other Wins and Performances
On the international stage, Arfsten was part of the United States squad that finished runner-up at the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, scoring his first international goal in the semifinals against Panama. He has also been named to the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking another milestone in his rapid rise.
Max Arfsten Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Arfsten grew up in Fresno, California, where he developed his game through local youth soccer and a long stint with California Odyssey. His family supported his early commitment to the sport, helping him balance high school competition with a demanding club schedule.
Personal Life
Off the field, Arfsten has cited Brazilian star Neymar as his primary soccer inspiration, a reflection of his attacking, dribble-first style. He has focused on his professional career since leaving UC Davis early and continues to be based in the United States with Columbus Crew.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has elevated Arfsten from promising role player to established senior contributor for both club and country. With Columbus, he opened his scoring for the year in a 1–1 draw at San Diego FC, continuing his trend of impacting matches with goals from wide areas. His consistency on the left wing-back role has kept him firmly in the team’s plans.
On the international stage, Arfsten was called up by head coach Mauricio Pochettino on January 6, 2025, for the January camp in Florida. He made his United States debut on January 18, 2025, against Venezuela and went on to start all but one match at the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, where he scored his first international goal in the semifinals against Panama before the U.S. finished runner-up to Mexico.
Looking ahead, Arfsten has been selected in the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, providing a clear next milestone to chase. With his Columbus contract running through 2027 and a growing role under Pochettino, the 2025 season has positioned him as a key two-way wide option for club and country heading into a major tournament year.
