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(Photo credit: Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Max Arfsten is not paranoid, but every time he crosses the white line onto the soccer field he feels like the entire world is watching.
Actually, it’s the weight of the World Cup as the Columbus Crew defender makes a late push for the 26-player U.S. men’s national team roster for the tournament next summer in North America.
‘I’m auditioning every match, for sure,’ he told Field Level Media after the U.S defeated Japan 2-0 in Columbus on Tuesday. ‘I don’t ever think anything is handed or given to me no matter what. So honestly, training is the same thing. It’s an audition. I’m trying to prove myself every single time I step on the field. That’s my mentality.’
The 24-year-old from Fresno, Calif., wasn’t even on the U.S. radar until coach Mauricio Pochettino, who marked one year on the job on Wednesday, debuted him on Jan. 18 against Venezuela.
Since then, Arfsten has a goal and four assists in 12 matches, including setting up Alex Zendejas for the first goal vs. Japan.
‘Just waiting for my moment,’ Zendejas said of his first U.S. start since 2023. ‘It’s crazy to take all this in. I didn’t expect to get called up. Just trying to take advantage of every opportunity.’
Arfsten, Zendejas, Cristian Roldan and Folarin Balogun improved their stock in the match thanks to a change in schematics.
For the first time in his 18 matches in charge, Pochettino rolled out a 3-4-2-1 formation after another dreadful performance on Sept. 6 using a 4-2-3-1 in a 2-0 loss to South Korea.
The switch allowed more players to work in familiar areas. Arfsten was effective at left wingback for the Crew, but playing in a back four for the U.S. exposed his defensive shortcomings. Against Japan he was able to do what he does best — run at defenders and make crosses into the box like the pinpoint pass to Zendejas’ left foot for the goal.
It was the same on the right side with Alex Freeman, 21, of Orlando City, who has less experience than Arfsten (nine U.S. appearances) but is keeping himself in the roster conversation for now.
‘We have players that play in this new formation (with their clubs),’ Pochettino said.
He also noted center back Chris Richards is more comfortable playing in a back three for Crystal Palace in the English Premier League.
With Arfsten and Freeman on the wings, it allowed Zendejas on the right and Christian Pulisic opposite him to have space beneath Balogun in the No. 9 role.
That’s how Pulisic was able to zip an entry ball to Balogun for the second goal vs. Japan, Balogun’s first since June 27, 2024, registered against Panama in the Copa America.
‘We are so pleased because he, with his performance, makes us to doubt about (our roster choices),’ Pochettino said of Zendejas. ‘With this type of performance, he’s in the race for the roster for the World Cup.’
Zendejas, who plays for Club America in Mexico’s Liga MX, has an ally in the U.S. captain.
‘I’ve played with him since we were 14 years old, so I’ve always known what a great player he is,’ Pulisic said. ‘He really showed this camp something different, so I’m really happy for him. He deserves it.’
Roldan was vacationing after the Seattle Sounders won the CONCACAF Champions Cup when he got the call-up. He played alongside Tyler Adams in the midfield vs. Japan, and like the other players on the roster bubble, he impressed Pochettino.
‘I am so happy because they understand or understood that they need to perform in the way that we expect,’ Pochettino said. ‘It’s not about to win or to lose the games … but to perform in the way that we expect and the way that we want.’
There was relief following the win over Japan, No. 17 in the FIFA rankings, which ended a five-match losing streak to teams in the top 25 while being outscored 11-1, though there are still hurdles for players such as Arfsten to make the World Cup roster.
As good as the performance was Tuesday, it was against basically a B team for Japan and many of the so-called regulars for the USMNT were not brought in for the past two matches for a variety reasons.
Among the missing were forwards and midfielders Johnny Cardoso, Weston McKennie, Yunus Musa, Ricardo Pepi, Gio Reyna, Malik Tillman and Haji Wright. Defenders absent included Mark McKenzie, Antonee Robinson, Miles Robinson and Joe Scally.
Another consideration in selecting the right personnel: The U.S. likely will employ four in the back depending on the matchup.
‘I think it’s good to have different plans, approaches to the games, different formations,’ Pochettino said.
He has four more matches this year for evaluation beginning Oct. 10 against Ecuador in Austin, Texas, and Australia on Oct. 14 in Commerce City, Colo.
At his post-match press conference on Tuesday, Pochettino said he may rely more on European-based players for these autumn friendlies, because in the October window MLS will be entering the final week of the regular season while the November matches will be during the playoffs.
For Arfsten, the opportunities to make the team could be limited but Pochettino likes what he’s seen so far.
‘It’s a player that we really believe in from Day 1, because I see in the way that he is, his character, his personality, the characteristics how he is like a player,’ Pochettino said. ‘I think it’s a combo that we really love, we really like. He’s a very intelligent, very smart guy.’
Arfsten was in mid-sentence answering a question after Pochettino’s press conference when the coach walked by. With a smile, Pochettino gave him a hug, congratulated him and wished him luck.
Maybe it was a sign of things to come, maybe not, but Arfsten is staying focused.
‘I just try to take it moment by moment,’ he said. ‘I can’t think too much in the future, but I’m definitely going to keep working hard and just do everything I can to get called into the upcoming camp.’
–Craig Merz, Field Level Media
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