Four players from the U.S. Men’s National Team who helped lead the squad to a memorable Round of 16 run in the 2026 FIFA World Cup have earned spots in the 2026 MLS All-Star Game. Max Arfsten, Tim Ream, Sebastian Berhalter, and Matt Freese have all been selected for the All-Star squad. Ream, Berhalter, and Freese will also appear in the Skills Challenge on Tuesday, July 28.
Max Arfsten, 24, of the Columbus Crew, has made his second consecutive appearance on the All-Star roster. This season, he has scored four goals and added four assists in 15 matches, showcasing his consistent performance. His standout moment came in the 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinals, where he netted the game-winning goal, leading Columbus into the Semifinals for the first time in 16 years. Since joining the Crew in 2023, Arfsten has recorded 14 goals and 22 assists across 87 games. He made his World Cup debut during the Round of 16 match against Belgium, a significant milestone in his career.
Tim Ream, 38, of Charlotte FC, is a well-known figure in U.S. soccer and will represent the hosts for the second time in his career. Ream, who previously played for Red Bull New York in the 2011 All-Star Game, has been an influential presence for Charlotte since joining in 2023. He has started all 11 regular-season matches in 2026 and has made 54 total appearances for the team. With 86 international caps under his belt, Ream has been a key part of the U.S. defense, playing every minute during the 2022 World Cup and starting four of five matches in 2026. His leadership and experience have made him a vital component of the team.
Berhalter's Historic World Cup Performance
Sebastian Berhalter, 25, of the Vancouver Whitecaps, made history this summer by becoming the first active MLS player to both score a goal and provide an assist in the same FIFA World Cup match. This performance broke a 60-year-old record for the U.S. Men’s National Team. Berhalter has since earned 18 caps since making his debut in June 2025. This season, the midfielder has recorded six goals and seven assists in 14 matches and has been named to the MLS Team of the Matchday six times. He also earned a place in the 2025 MLS Best XI, highlighting his standout play during the season.
Matt Freese, 29, of the New York City FC, has earned his first-ever MLS All-Star selection in 2026. After joining NYCFC in 2023, Freese has recorded an impressive 323 saves and 25 clean sheets in 110 appearances. He played a key role in anchoring the defense during the 2024 and 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs. Freese also finished second in the 2025 Goalkeeper of the Year voting, a testament to his solid performance. On the international stage, he has earned 19 caps and recorded five clean sheets. At the 2026 World Cup, he started four matches and kept clean sheets against Australia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. His performances in those games tied him with Jimmy Douglas and Matt Turner for the most World Cup clean sheets by a U.S. goalkeeper in history.