Columbus, Ohio (June 6, 2018) — The month of May saw Zack Steffen truly establish himself as a legitimate candidate to become the next long-term USMNT goalkeeper.
The Columbus Crew SC netminder didn’t allow a single goal in that time, recorded five consecutive clean sheets, and will carry a 495-minute shutout streak into his next start. All of it led to him earning May player of the month honors from MLS on Wednesday.
In May, @zackstef_23:
– Did not allow a single goal
– Registered five shutouts
– Made 17 saves
– Earned a @ussoccer_mnt call-up#Superman #CrewSC https://t.co/KArrEXQakR— Carlos D. Mojica (@CD_Mojica) June 6, 2018
MLS Names Columbus Crew SC Goalkeeper Zack Steffen Its May Player of the Month
Steffen’s current run of not conceding a goal began at the onset of the second half in Crew SC’s 2-1 win over the San Jose Earthquakes on April 28th. Per a team release, citing Elias Sports Bureau research, it ranks as the 10th-longest shutout streak in MLS regular season history. It played a part in Columbus setting a franchise record with 512 consecutive minutes of scoreless soccer.
The 23-year-old is currently on international duty with the USMNT. Though he didn’t appear in last Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Ireland, it’s largely expected that he’ll start for the Stars and Stripes against France this coming weekend. Steffen has two caps with the senior national team in 2018, with the US not conceding a goal in either game.
Steffen is the first Crew SC player to win the award since Justin Meram in October 2016. It’s the 15th time a Black and Gold player has done so with 11 players having previously won it. It includes Guillermo Barros Schelotto (3) and Brad Friedel (2) who are the only players in club history to take home the honor multiple times.
Columbus returns to action on Wednesday night when they host the Chicago Fire in the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup. Then comes a return to MLS play on Saturday when the New York Red Bulls come to town. The Black and Gold will carry an eight-match unbeaten streak into that game which kicks off at 5 p.m. ET. ESPN will provide national television coverage.
