Max Arfsten

Maximilian "Max" Michael Arfsten (born April 19, 2001) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a left-back or left wing-back for club Middlesbrough, and the United States national team.

Early years Youth 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.

College 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. Prior to the 2022 season, Arfsten opted to leave college early and play professionally.

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

Columbus Crew

2023 In December 2022, Arfsten was announced as eligible for selection in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft. He was selected 14th overall by the Columbus Crew on December 21, 2022. He signed a two-year deal with the Major League Soccer side on February 21, 2023. 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. 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. During the 2023 playoffs, he scored in the only match he appeared in as his side would go on to win the MLS Cup.

2024

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. He scored in back-to-back league games on May 11 and 15. On October 16, it was announced that Arfsten had signed a contract extension until 2027, with a club option for 2028.

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

Middlesbrough On August 4, 2026, the EFL Championship club Middlesbrough announced the signing of Arfsten to a four-year contract.

International career

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. Arfsten made his debut on January 18, 2025, versus Venezuela. Arfsten netted his first career international goal in the semifinals of the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup against Panama. 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.

On May 26, 2026, Arfsten was selected in the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Style of play

A two-footed player, Arfsten has been noted for his bravery, technical ability, and penchant for taking players on via the dribble. He has described himself as a player that "like 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."

Personal life Arfsten is of Armenian descent; his family comes from an Armenian community in Fresno, California. Arfsten has stated that his soccer inspiration is Neymar.

Career statistics Club

International

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 June 29, 2025 U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, United States 2–1 2–2 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup

Honors Columbus Crew MLS Cup: 2023 Leagues Cup: 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup runner-up: 2024

Individual MLS All-Star: 2025, 2026