Former Crew star Max Arfsten starts for Middlesbrough in English debut

Brian Hedger, Columbus DispatchFri, August 7, 2026 at 8:10 PM UTC

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In Max Arfsten's first match since transferring to Middlesbrough FC, the former Crew star slotted right into the starting lineup alongside former Crew Academy product Sebastian Berhalter on Aug. 7 at Riverside Stadium in North Yorkshire, England.

More: Columbus Crew to transfer Max Arfsten to Middlesbrough FC

Former Crew star midfielder Aidan Morris was not in Middlesbrough's starting 11, but he remains a big part of the lineup. Middlesbrough faced Wrexham AFC in England's second division, the EFL Championship, which is ranked just below the English Premier League.

Arfsten, who was part of the U.S. men's national team roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted in North America, made his Crew debut in 2023 after Columbus selected him in the first round of the MLS SuperDraft. He worked his way up the lineup to become a star midfielder, contributing 14 goals and 22 assists while starting 72 of 89 games over four seasons.

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He transferred to Middlesbrough on Aug. 1 for a reported $7.5 million, and the Crew will receive an undisclosed portion of the transfer fee should Middlesbrough transfer Arfsten elsewhere. Berhalter, also a midfielder, attended Crew Academy in 2014 before playing for MLS teams in Austin, Texas and Vancouver, British Columbia in Canada.

Berhalter transferred to Middlesbrough on July 28, joining his former Crew Academy teammate, Morris. Berhalter's move preceded Arfsten's by four days.

Dispatch Blue Jackets/Crew reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at bhedger@dispatch.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Former Crew star Max Arfsten starts for Middlesbrough in English debut

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