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- Arfsten describes Nancy as very detailed
- Defender notes Pochettino encourages players to utilize strengths
- Values both perspectives, stating it is complementary
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.”
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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.”
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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.
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.
