Maximilian Arfsten

Maximilian Arfsten
Personal information
Full name Maximilian Michael Arfsten[1]
Date of birth (2001-04-19) April 19, 2001 (age 23)
Place of birth Fresno, California, United States
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Position(s) Wing-back
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 43 (6)
2023 Columbus Crew 2 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19:10, 30 October 2024 (UTC)

Maximilian Michael Arfsten (born April 19, 2001) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a wing-back for Major League Soccer club Columbus Crew.

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. Arfsten also played club soccer with local side California Odyssey for nine years, where he was the leading National Premier Leagues goal scorer.[2][3]

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 and was named Big West Offensive Player of the Year and All-Big West First Team in 2021.[2][4]

Club career

San Jose Earthquakes II

In 2022, Arfsten opted to leave college early and play professionally. He signed his first contract with MLS Next Pro side San Jose Earthquakes II ahead of their inaugural season.[5][6] In his lone season with the Quakes reserve team, Arfsten scored nine goals in 24 appearances.[7]

Columbus Crew

In December 2022, Arfsten was announced as eligible for selection in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft.[8] He was selected 14th overall by Columbus Crew on December 21, 2022.[9][10][11] He signed a two-year deal with the Major League Soccer side on February 21, 2023.[12][13][14][15] 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.[16]

Honors

Columbus Crew

References

  1. ^ "2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup – Club roster: Columbus Crew (USA)" (PDF). CONCACAF. January 30, 2024. p. 6. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Maximilian Arfsten - Men's Soccer". UC Davis Athletics.
  3. ^ "General 2". California Odyssey Soccer Club.
  4. ^ Spencer, Jason (November 12, 2021). "Arfsten, Mejia take home top Big West honors". UC Davis Athletics. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  5. ^ "NEWS: Earthquakes Announce Quakes II Roster | RSL Monarchs". sjearthquakes.
  6. ^ "QUAKES II PREVIEW: Pacific Division Team Introductions | RSL Monarchs". sjearthquakes.
  7. ^ "Max Arfsten | MLSsoccer.com". mlsnextpro.
  8. ^ "MLS SuperDraft 2023 eligible players | MLSSoccer.com". mlssoccer.
  9. ^ "Former Aggie Maximilian Arfsten Selected 14th Overall in 2023 MLS SuperDraft". bigwest.org.
  10. ^ "MLS SuperDraft 2023: The Crew select Maximilian Arfsten No. 14 overall". Massive Report. December 21, 2022.
  11. ^ "Columbus Crew Selects Three Players in 2023 MLS SuperDraft Presented by Adidas | Columbus Crew". ColumbusCrew.com.
  12. ^ "Columbus Crew signs MLS SuperDraft pick Maximilian "Max" Arfsten | Columbus Crew". ColumbusCrew.com.
  13. ^ "Arfsten Signs With Columbus Crew". UC Davis Athletics.
  14. ^ "Columbus Crew sign 2023 SuperDraft first round pick Max Arfsten to two-year contract". The Columbus Dispatch.
  15. ^ Schudel, Ralph (February 21, 2023). "The Crew sign 2023 MLS SuperDraft pick Max Arfsten to first-team contract". Massive Report.
  16. ^ 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.