One of the brightest prospects in the U.S. soccer pool has returned stateside with a move to MLS.
The Columbus Crew announced on Friday that the club has signed U.S. Under-23 Men’s National Team goalkeeper Zack Steffen. The 21-year-old goalkeeper joins as a Discovery Signing after spending the last year-and-a-half with German club SC Freiburg.
“Zack is a talented goalkeeper with great potential and someone who has performed on the biggest stages for the United States youth National Teams,” said head coach Gregg Berhalter. “We believe he has a bright future and we look forward to working with him.”
Steffen rose to prominence at the University of Maryland before opting to sign with Freiburg after the 2014 college season. Confined mostly to the reserve team during his stay in Germany, Steffen made 14 appearances in his first season with SC Freiburg II, registering three shutouts.
Internationally, Steffen has featured prominently throughout the U.S. national teams. The goalkeeper played every minute for the U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team at the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Steffen was also set to join the U.S. Under-23s for March’s Olympic Qualifying clash with Colombia, but was forced off the roster due to injury.
What do you think of the move? How will Steffen fare with the Crew?
Share your thoughts below.
I thought he was our next big time keeper. What happened???
Still could be, remember both Guzan and Howard got their starts in MLS before going to England at age 24. Zach was behind a good young keeper at Frieburg and was not going to get regular minutes. We may find out more was involved with him wanting to be back stateside, but from a soccer side it still makes sense for his career development.
This is actually disappointing. He was gonna be promoted to the first team and Freiberg just got promoted.
apparently he wasnt…
He was still the third keeper on the first team and their starter who helped earn promotion is only 24. Minutes were going to be few and far between.
If he doesn’t start what’s the point of him moving to mls
What an insightful comment. Thank you for your contribution.
He only made 14 starts last season in the German 4th division. Clark is not very good, so one would think he’d have a chance to start for the Crew. As a Crew fan I would have rather seen a CB added, but beggars can’t be choosers.
I guess they did also sign a CB from Staebaek on Thursday.