Tomorrow big game for Arfsten and team USA( ranked 16th in the world), they play Germany( ranked 10th( in the world at Soldier stadium.

Arsten's added bio. The California native has earned 16 caps (13 starts) for the USMNT, recording one goal and five assists since making his debut against Venezuela in 2025.

Arfsten's five assists in 2025 are the most registered by a USMNT player in a calendar year since 2019, according to the Columbus Crew's official website.

GO USA and Arfsten!!!!!

If you want to delve into how good Arsten is and how important he might be today against Germany and in the entire World Cup tourney here is an excellent YouTube with Max

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36K1nJhUjCI

Go USA go Max!!!!

Bummer Germany 2 USA 1. A close game which means team USA should be competitive all the way through the tourney. Germany 4 times champs is a European heavy weight.

Player ranking of Arfsten from the pundits.

Max Arfsten (72'): 5

Came on for Tim Ream with 18 minutes to go, allowing Auston Trusty to move centrally. Didn't provide his usual attacking flair, failing to connect with his two crosses and unable to lift the forward line from his wing-back position.

Score not as high as the first game. USA opens in about 6 days.

1 Day to Max and team USA open.

Here is a great article by UCB writer and stats dude, on Why the USA falls short in mens soccer.

https://www.natesilver.net/p/why-isnt-the-us-better-at-soccer

Arfsten shines as a final-third threat. He is a force for scoring and assisting. Looking up his stats for this year they include: Recording 4 goals and 4 assists in just 15 MLS starts, he scores exceptionally high for goal-scoring frequency among left wingbacks globally. His 77 total crosses and 14 chances show that. [

Max has elite speed and is a threat with either foot. I would think that Max will be subbed to bring in an attacking edge not if they are seeking to lock down the defense.

It will be a great start if the USA wins their first match in the pool to get 3 points.

USA rolls to a dominating 4-1 win. Max does NOT see the pitch. There are several more games to see if Max gets his number called.

NPR's take on Max--he received NO stars out of 3 and here is that bio.

Name: Max Arfsten

Age: 25

Hometown: Fresno, Calif.

Club team: Columbus Crew (MLS)

The 6-foot-1 winger made his USMNT debut in January 2025, playing in 16 of 18 matches that year. He was drafted by the Columbus Crew in 2023 after playing collegiately at UC Davis and Cal State Fullerton. At UC Davis, he attended as a walk-on, earning a scholarship and being named to the Big West All-Freshman team. The Fresno native returns home to train, saying, "his Fresno upbringing fuels his motor and competitiveness on the pitch." Equally comfortable playing with his right and left foot, he's been featured in many USMNT matches in the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup and is expected to see playing time.

What an amazing journey for Max from being a walk-on at Davis to making the USA World Cup Team.

after playing collegiately at UC Davis and Cal State Fullerton. — Jackbacker2

Really? I wasn't aware he played at Fullerton.

I did some checking and I believe the Fullerton reference is internet or AI dribble. Here is a good summary of Max's background.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2025

Named to the MLS All-Star team.

2024

Played in 31 games for Columbus, scoring four goals. Finished 2nd in the East, exiting the playoffs in round one.

2023

Drafted by the Columbus Crew, playing in 12 games and scoring twice. Won MLS Cup with the Crew.

2022

Joined the San Jose Earthquakes II in MLS Next Pro, playing in 24 games.

YOUTH AND COLLEGE
Developed in the California Odyssey program. Played 39 games with eight goals over three seasons with UC Davis.

Looking forward to seeing if Max makes the pitch in the next 2 games!

A nice article from the ICA department about Max. Truly special when an Aggie can work his way to the highest level of their sport!!!

https://ucdavisaggies.com/news/2026/6/12/mens-soccer-from-aggie-soccer-field-to-the-world-cup-max-arfstens-road-ran-through-davis.aspx