COLUMBUS, OHIO (June 29, 2018) — Zack Steffen keeps racking up accolades in 2018.
The second-year Columbus Crew SC goalkeeper was named to the 2018 MLS All-Star Game roster, the league announced Friday. The team is set to face Italian Serie A giants Juventus at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA on August 1st.
Zack Steffen Makes Roster for 2018 MLS All-Star Game Against Juventus
It’s a well-deserved honor for the 23-year-old who’s in the midst of a career year for both club and country. His seven shutouts in 2018 are tied with Sporting KC’s Tim Melia for most in MLS. He also maintained a 525-minute shutout streak during the season which is not only a club record but also the eighth-highest mark in league history.
Long considered the future of the position for the USMNT, Steffen recently received a call-up for two friendlies against Ireland and France. On June 9, he made the starting XI in the game against the French, considered a legitimate World Cup favorite. And in front of over 58,000 in Lyon, he played a huge role in the Stars and Stripes’ 1-1 draw with seven saves.
Steffen becomes the 23rd player in Crew SC history to receive an MLS All-Star nod. He’s also the sixth to make the roster under current manager Gregg Berhalter, joining Michael Parkhurst, Kei Kamara, Ethan Finlay, Waylon Francis and Wil Trapp.
“It’s obviously an honor to be named an All-Star (and) to have the opportunity to play against such a great team as Juventus and in the midst of the best players in the league,” Steffen said in a sound byte provided by the club. “It’s gonna be awesome. It’s gonna be a lot of fun. Some of the (fellow All-Stars) I’ve played against and some of them I haven’t met. So it’s gonna be cool to meet them and see how they conduct themselves.”
The Black and Gold are back in action on Saturday when they welcome Real Salt Lake to MAPFRE Stadium. Kickoff gets underway at 7:30 p.m. ET.
PHOTO CREDIT: Columbus Crew SC Communications
