COLUMBUS — Columbus Crew today announced that the Club has signed MLS SuperDraft pick Maximilian “Max” Arfsten. The 21-year-old forward is under contract with the Black & Gold through the 2024 season with options for 2025 and 2026. Selected by the Crew in the First Round (14th overall) of the 2023 MLS SuperDraft, Arfsten joined the Crew in pre-season and secured a First Team roster spot following a nine-goal, six-assist season in MLS NEXT Pro action in 2022 with San Jose Earthquakes II.
“Max’s hard work and attitude along with his ability to make an impact in the attack did not go unnoticed throughout preseason, and we are excited to see him earn a spot on our First Team roster,” said Crew President and General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko. “Led by Corey Wray, the draft team including Marshall Bushnell and Nate Horton put in the work behind the scenes in preparation for the SuperDraft. They identified Max as a talented player who had a strong start to his professional career in MLS NEXT Pro. We are looking forward to working with Max as he continues his development as a player in a first team environment.”
Arfsten appeared in 24 matches (21 starts) for San Jose Earthquakes II in 2022, scoring nine goals and tallying six assists. He recorded two multi-goal games, scoring braces against Colorado on May 15 and Minnesota on Sept. 18.
The Fresno, California native played collegiately at UC Davis, starting 16 of 19 games his freshman year, earning 2019 Big West Conference All-Freshman Team honors. In 2021, his final collegiate season, Arfsten scored eight goals and tallied seven assists.
The Black & Gold are set to open the 2023 MLS season on the road against the Philadelphia Union this Saturday, Feb. 25 at 7:30 p.m. ET, and hosts D.C. United for the home opener at Lower.com Field on Saturday, March 4 at 7:30 p.m. ET. Both matches will be available via the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+.
Partial plans and single-game tickets for Crew matches at Lower.com Field are on-sale for the general public and are available here.
Soccer fans looking to experience Crew matches have a number of options as Season Ticket Membership for the 2023 season, which are currently on sale, includes benefits such as a subscription to Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass, exclusive, member-only events, a discount at the Crew Shop, monthly, interest free payment plans, the ability to purchase discounted parking, pre-sale access to all events at Lower.com Field, Historic Crew Stadium and FirstEnergy Stadium, and a dedicated account manager and service representative. Fans interested in purchasing Season Ticket Memberships are encouraged to call 614-447-2739, email seasontickets@columbuscrew.com, or visit www.columbuscrew.com/tickets/memberships to get connected with a Season Ticket Member representative.
With the addition of Arfsten, the Crew’s 2023 roster currently stands at 26 players and is listed alphabetically by position below:
Goalkeepers (4): Evan Bush, Eloy Room, Patrick Schulte, Brady Scott
Defenders (9): Milos Degenek, Mo Farsi, Keegan Hughes, Jimmy Medranda, Steven Moreira, Jake Morris, Philip Quinton, Will Sands, Josh Williams
Midfielders (9): Luis Diaz, Kevin Molino, Alex Matan, Aidan Morris, Darlington Nagbe, Isaiah Parente, Yaw Yeboah, Sean Zawadzki, Lucas Zelarayan
Forwards (4): Max Arfsten, Cucho Hernandez, Christian Ramirez, Jacen Russell-Rowe
TRANSACTION: Columbus Crew signs forward Max Arfsten through the 2024 season with options for 2025 and 2026, announced on Feb. 21, 2023.
Name: Maximilan “Max” Arfsten
Position: Forward
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 172 lbs.
Born: April 19, 2001, in Fresno, CA
Hometown: Fresno, CA
Acquired: Signed on Feb. 21, 2023, through the 2024 season with options for 2025 and 2026
Previous Experience: San Jose Earthquakes II (2022)
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