Max Arfsten is the young, athletic wing-back in the USMNT squad, an energetic Columbus Crew defender who offers head coach Mauricio Pochettino attacking thrust down the left. Quick and willing to get forward, Arfsten is one for the present and the future as the United States build depth at full-back for a home World Cup.
A Columbus Crew product
Arfsten broke through at the Columbus Crew and quickly became a regular, racking up big minutes at left wing-back in MLS. His athleticism and engine made him a natural fit for an attacking full-back role, and that form earned him his place in the United States set-up. His Columbus record in our database is below.
| Columbus Crew (MLS) | Total |
|---|---|
| Apps | 123 |
| Tackles won | 96 |
| Interceptions | 54 |
| Clearances | 84 |
| Duels won | 438 |
What the numbers say
Arfsten’s Columbus record is the profile of a busy, two-way wing-back: 438 duels won, 96 tackles and 54 interceptions across 123 appearances, the workload of a defender who is always involved. He is at his best driving forward from the left, and while there are rough edges to his defending, the athleticism and attacking output are exactly what a modern wing-back role demands.
Max Arfsten and the USMNT
For the United States, Arfsten is depth and a different option at left-back, cover behind Antonee Robinson with the engine to play as an attacking wing-back if Pochettino wants to change shape. His youth and upside make him a useful squad member to develop at a home tournament. See where he fits in our USMNT roster guide.
USA 4-1 Paraguay and what is next
Arfsten was part of the squad but did not feature in the 4-1 win over Paraguay at SoFi Stadium, with Robinson starting at left-back. Read the full USA vs Paraguay player ratings. Planning to go? See our World Cup 2026 tickets guide. For the bigger picture, see our World Cup 2026 hub and the latest World Cup 2026 winner odds, with more at U.S. Soccer. Must be 21+ and present in a state where betting is legal. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Arfsten by the advanced numbers
The attacking output is what sets Arfsten apart from a standard defender. At Columbus he has scored 18 goals and laid on 19 assists, remarkable production from left wing-back, while creating 115 chances and 35 clear-cut opportunities. He gets high and wide constantly, registering 323 touches inside the opposition box and 324 passes into the penalty area across 123 appearances.
His finishing leans heavily on his stronger side, with 12 of his 18 goals struck left-footed and 16 of them coming from inside the box. Defensively he is busy if still developing, winning 96 of his 158 tackles (a 61% success rate) and adding 54 interceptions. It is the profile of an attack-minded wing-back whose ceiling is tied to sharpening the defensive details.
Max Arfsten in the USA’s run to the Round of 32
Arfsten remained among the substitutes and did not feature in either the Australia win or the Turkey defeat as the USA reached the Round of 32.
Max Arfsten is an American left wing-back for the Columbus Crew and a squad option for the USMNT. An athletic, attacking full-back, he is part of the United States group at the World Cup 2026.
Arfsten plays for the Columbus Crew in MLS, where he has become a regular at left wing-back after coming through into the first team.
He is a left wing-back or left-back, an energetic, athletic defender who gets up and down the flank and is at his best attacking from deep.
No. Arfsten was part of the squad but did not feature in the 4-1 win over Paraguay, with Antonee Robinson starting at left-back.