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U.S. men's national team supporters will have their attention fixed on Middlesbrough in the EFL Championship next season, as versatile winger and fullback Max Arfsten is reportedly closing in on a transfer from Columbus Crew to the English second-division club following a standout 3.5-season MLS career.
The Athletic reports that the 25-year-old is poised to join former Crew teammate Aidan Morris, who has been at Middlesbrough since 2024, along with 2026 World Cup compatriot Sebastian Berhalter, who recently completed a $2 million transfer from Vancouver Whitecaps to the Teessiders.
Arfsten's transfer fee significantly exceeds Berhalter's, despite the wide player having a less central role with the USMNT at the 2026 World Cup. The English club is prepared to pay $7.5 million to secure his services, luring him abroad despite his MLS contract running through 2027, in contrast to the $2 million paid for Berhalter, whose deal was due to expire at the conclusion of the 2026 MLS Cup playoffs.
Is Arfsten Ready to Move to Europe?
Hot off his appearance in the 2026 MLS All-Star Game, Arfsten's impending departure follows nearly a year of speculation linking him to European clubs. He carved out a meaningful role within the USMNT's depth during the 2025 Concacaf Nations League and Gold Cup, before securing a place on the 26-man World Cup roster.
Although he featured for just one minute at the World Cup in the round of 16 defeat to Belgium, his quality has been evident in other international appearances as well as in MLS. Additionally, his ability to operate as a winger, midfielder, fullback, or wingback — predominantly on the left side — adds considerable versatility.
By heading to England's second tier, which some analysts consider comparable in level to MLS, he positions himself to compete for a shot at the Premier League or other European opportunities.
A former standout at UC Davis in NCAA soccer, Arfsten has earned 21 caps for the USMNT and has contributed five goals and six assists in 18 appearances for the Crew across all competitions this season. He was also an integral part of the Wilfried Nancy-led sides that claimed the 2023 MLS Cup, 2024 Leagues Cup, and reached the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup Final.
Middlesbrough Betting on MLS in Premier League Promotion Bid
After falling short of Premier League promotion with a 1–0 defeat to Hull City in the 2025-26 EFL Championship Playoff final in May, Middlesbrough harbor strong ambitions of earning promotion from the second tier this season for the first time in a decade and have turned to MLS talent to help achieve that goal.
Having seen a bid for Arfsten rejected last summer, the club invested heavily to bring him in for this campaign and, given his mid-season fitness, he is expected to take on a significant role from the outset. Meanwhile, Berhalter arrives as a combative midfielder known for his pressing, long-range efforts, and precise deliveries.
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The influx of MLS talent has been considerable for Middlesbrough in their push for promotion, with not only three USMNT-capped players now set to feature in the squad, but also former Charlotte FC center back Adilson Malanda and former Charlotte FC midfielder Riley McGree, though McGree never made an MLS appearance.
Middlesbrough are scheduled to kick off the 2026-27 season against Wrexham on Aug. 7. Meanwhile, Columbus continue through the second half of the 2026 MLS season on the back of three wins in their last four matches, with aspirations of progressing past their U.S. Open Cup semifinal against Antoine Griezmann's Orlando City on Sept. 14.