Columbus Crew’s Max Arfsten, Steven Moreira named 2026 MLS All-Stars

Crew midfielder Max Arfsten and defender Steven Moreira are returning from the World Cup as MLS All-Stars.

Arfsten and Moreira were the only players from the Crew to participate in the World Cup, representing the United States and Cape Verde, respectively. On July 7, they became the only Crew players to make the 28-player All-Star team, as selected by Charlotte FC and MLS All-Star coach Dean Smith.

Last year, Arfsten earned his first All-Star bid alongside Crew forward Diego Rossi, who departed for CF Monterrey on July 3.

Arfsten has recorded four goals and a team-leading four assists through 15 regular-season games. In a U.S. Open Cup matchup against New York City on May 20, the Crew advanced to the semifinals on a lone goal from Arfsten.

The 25-year-old made his World Cup debut as a stoppage-time substitute during the United States’ 4-1 loss to Belgium in the round of 16.

Moreira appeared in his first All-Star game in 2024, when former Crew coach Wilfried Nancy selected him to be one of four Columbus players on the roster.

As the longest-tenured Crew starter this season, Moreira has started 13 games and is second in assists with three.

Moreira was also a starter for Cape Verde at the World Cup and helped the national team become the smallest nation in population to reach the knockout round. In the round of 32, Moreira and Cape Verde nearly upset reigning champion Argentina but lost 3-2.

The 2026 MLS All-Star game will be July 29 in Charlotte, with MLS facing the Liga MX All-Stars for the third consecutive year.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Crew’s Max Arfsten, Steven Moreira named 2026 MLS All-Stars