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 o

See Full Page