Youth and college Cristman graduated from
Mills Godwin High School in
Richmond, Virginia, where as a senior in 2003 he helped seal a perfect 22–0–0 record for the team on way to an AAA state championship and No. 1 national ranking. He played
college soccer at the
University of Virginia, where he scored 34 career goals and accumulated 15 assists. During his college years Cristman also played for the
Richmond Strikers and
Richmond Kickers Future in the
USL Premier Development League.
Professional Cristman was selected in the fourth round of the
2007 MLS SuperDraft by
New England Revolution and signed a
developmental contract with the club. He began his debut season as a starter with
Pat Noonan out with injury, and later settled into a role as a regular sub and spot starter, appearing in almost every game of the season. His solid play quickly earned him a bump up to the senior roster in midseason. After the 2008 season, Cristman was traded to
Kansas City Wizards for allocation money and a third round
2009 MLS SuperDraft selection. On July 25, 2009, after being plagued by injury for the first few months of the year, he made his debut coming on as a second-half sub in an MLS game against LA Galaxy. In February 2010,
D.C. United acquired Cristman from Kansas City in exchange for use of an
international roster slot through December 31, 2011. On January 11, 2011, Cristman was traded to
Los Angeles Galaxy in exchange for the Galaxy's first-round pick in the
2011 MLS Supplemental Draft. After an extended layoff while he recovered from a knee injury, Cristman made his Galaxy debut on June 3, 2011, as a late substitute in a 0–0 tie with
D.C. United. He signed a new contract with Los Angeles on December 23, 2011. On July 3, 2012, Cristman retired from professional soccer due to injuries (multiple concussions).
International Cristman has played for the US national U-18 and U-23 teams. ==Honors==