FC Cincinnati v Columbus Crew
The Columbus Crew wingback has offered insight into the coaching approaches of his club manager Wilfried Nancy and USMNT boss Mauricio Pochettino
United States v Costa Rica - Gold Cup 2025: Quarterfinals
WHAT HAPPENED?
Columbus Crew star Max Arfsten is amid a breakout campaign, something he credits to working with two well-regarded managers in club manager Wilfred Nancy and USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino. The 24-year-old wingback detailed the specific characteristics that distinguish each manager's approach.
“Wilfried is extremely, extremely detailed and super detailed with the tactics and on point with how he wants us to play. And he's pretty stern with that, like how we want to play the shape and everything." Arfsten said on the Unfiltered Soccer podcast. “And yeah, it's just like his phrases are ingrained in my mind...Pochettino, I feel like he's a coach who wants his players to play to their strengths, you know what I mean? And so, he'll put you in positions where he thinks you will shine, and then from there he kind of, especially on the attacking side of the ball, like do what you do."
He added, “I think they are different, and it's good. I'm not saying one's right or wrong, but it's good and I think it's good for me because it gives me two different perspectives. It makes you more well-rounded. So it's super cool. And like you said, like those are two amazing coaches to have experience with.”
WHAT MAX ARFSTEN SAID
The Columbus Crew defender opened up about his experience representing the USMNT at the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup. He acknowledged the challenging circumstances surrounding the team's entry into the tournament, noting they had to flip the script following disappointing results in preparatory friendlies.
“I grew so much mentally,” Arfsten explained. “I think that was the biggest thing and the best thing for me because, like you said, there were a lot of roller coasters. I mean, starting with friendlies, two results that nobody wanted, bad results, and then yeah, going into the Gold Cup. We had to flip the script, and it's not easy.
“I mean…but the vibe with the locker room is so important. And I think after those friendlies, it was a big turning point for us. We just had to decide to kind of put those two friendlies behind us, learn from it, and then individually, for me, I obviously going into it, I wanted to start and I wanted to play because that's what I wanted.
Arfsten said the ups and downs from the tournament helped him grow.
“And then there was a roller coaster because there was good moments and there was bad moments, but I think I grew from it so much mentally, like being able to kind of like find the courage to break through those bad moments on the field as they happen to anything, come out on the other side," he said. "So, for me, it was like, I just feel like I got mentally stronger and that just comes with the experience.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Arfsten has earned 10 caps for the USMNT, with five of those appearances coming during the 2025 Gold Cup, where he contributed to four goals.
United States v Turkey - International Friendly
WHAT’S NEXT?
Arfsten's Crew face Toluca on July 29 in the first game of their League Cup group stage and then face Puebla on Aug. 1 in their second game of the tournament.
[(Gangwon FC) Strength]: 1. Last season in the Korean FA Cup, Gangwon FC were eliminated in the Round of 16. This season, the team have made a breakthrough so far and have advanced to the semi-finals. In this second leg, they will play at home and have a strong desire to win.2. Lee Ji Ho, a forward of Gangwon FC, has had limited playing time this season. However, he has maintained high offensive e...
[(Everton F.C.) Strength]: 1. On August 24th, in the 2nd round of the Premier League, Everton F.C. secured a comfortable 2-0 home victory over Brighton & Hove Albion F.C., with Jack Grealish providing two assists and putting in an impressive performance.2. Everton F.C. kept unbeaten in the last 3 Premier League home games with 2 wins and 1 draw, showing excellent performances.3. Everton F.C. h...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus are on a 2-game losing streak. They are motivated to win this home game to boost their morale.2. Soichiro Mori scored a goal and made an assist in the last game, showing outstanding form.3. Nagoya Grampus secured a 3-game winning streak in their last 3 encounters between both sides, giving them a better mentality.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya ...
[(Grimsby Town F.C.) Strength]: 1. Grimsby Town F.C. player Jaze Kabia scored in the last game, with reliable form.2. Grimsby Town F.C. drew 1-1 against Accrington Stanley in the last game, but they still kept unbeaten among all events in the new season, being in stable form.3. Grimsby Town F.C.'s home performance was outstanding. They won all the last 3 home games.4. Grimsby Town F.C. have a good...
[(FC Machida Zelvia) Strength]: 1. FC Machida Zelvia are undoubtedly motivated to win this home game to qualify for the semi-finals.2. Yuki Soma scored 10 goals and made 6 assists across all competitions this season, being important on the team's offense.3. FC Machida Zelvia drew 0-0 with Yokohama F. Marinos in the last game. They were unbeaten with 11 wins and 1 draw in the last 12 games, showing...
[(Reading F.C.) Strength]: 1. Reading F.C. are playing in the EFL League One this season and are on a 3-game winless run lately. They need to return to winning ways, indicating full motivation in this game.2. Lewis Wing scored a goal and made an assist in the last game, helping the team tie with Wycombe Wanderers F.C.3. Reading F.C. won the last 2 games in AH, revealing recent performances in line...
[(Sheffield Wed) Strength]: 1. Sheffield Wed have a rather impressive track record in the EFL Cup. In the first round of this season, they defeated Bolton Wanderers F.C., another team from the EFL Championship, and have posted 3 wins and 2 draws in their last 5 EFL Cup games.2. Sheffield Wed lost only 1 of the last 5 games in AH with stable performances. They ended all the last 4 games with OVER.[...
[(Eintracht Braunschweig) Strength]: 1. As a 2. Bundesliga side, Eintracht Braunschweig have made a solid start to the new season. Having been eliminated in the first round of the DFB-Pokal in each of the past two seasons, the team will undoubtedly be eager to achieve a better performance when they compete in the tournament again this season. Therefore, they will be full of determination when faci...
[(Sturm Graz) Strength]: 1. Sturm Graz suffered a crushing defeat in the first leg on the road. In this home match, they have to go all out to attack, with full motivation to win.2. Sturm Graz midfielder Otar Kiteishvili scored 4 goals in three league games this season, performing excellently in the league. As the starting forward of the team, his performance in this match is worth keeping an eye ...
[(Burnley) Strength]: 1. Burnley's key midfielder Josh Cullen not only opened the scoring for the team in the last game but also provided an assist, emerging as the biggest contributor to the victory with an outstanding individual performance.2. Burnley claimed a comfortable 2-0 win over Sunderland in their last game, securing their first victory of the new Premier League season and boosting the t...
- 1 Ruben Amorim gives cryptic response when asked about Andre Onana returning to starting XI for Fulham clash after Altay Bayindir blunder handed Arsenal victory
- 2 'Victory Bodes Well for Future' – Gasperini Delighted with Roma’s Opening Day Win
- 3 TIPS - Eintracht Frankfurt VS Werder Bremen
- 4 Transfer rumors, news: Arsenal could turn to Lyon's Fofana
- 5 Antony’s Man United Exit Hopes Rest on Fresh Real Betis Bid Within 'Next 24 Hours'
- 6 TIPS - Cerezo Osaka VS Vissel Kobe
- 7 TIPS - Gamba Osaka VS Yokohama FC
- 8 TIPS - Schalke 04 VS VfL Bochum
- 9 TIPS - Sunderland A.F.C. VS Huddersfield Town A.F.C.
- 10 TIPS - Olympique de Marseille VS Paris FC