COLUMBUS – Not only has Crew SC goalkeeper Zack Steffen started every game of his rookie year with the Black & Gold, but he’s been in goal for 15 wins, a record for first-year keepers.
Coincidentally, the man whose record he broke was standing on the same pitch, but between the posts for the away-side D.C. United. That man was Steve Clark, who recorded 22 shutouts in his 100 consecutive starts for Crew SC between 2014 and 2016.
Steffen said following the match that it was good to see Clark and that the two have a good relationship. Crew SC fans also have a good relationship, with whomever happens to be in goal for Columbus.
At just 22-years-old, Steffen has been a calming presence on the back end of the Black & Gold defense, according to veteran defender Josh Williams.
"He's a stud back there," Williams said. "He's wise beyond his years at times. He's confident out of the back. We know we can give him the ball under any situation and he'll make the right play."
Crew SC Sporting Director and Head Coach agreed with Williams, but added that Steffen’s influence is paired with an ability to make plays on the ball when it counts.
"Zack is a steady influence on our group," Berhalter said. "For such a young age, he does handle pressure very well. He doesn't get flustered, he hangs in there and he comes up with the big save when you need it.”
The goalkeeper has 91 saves and counting this season, but was unsure of how his first season would unfold. Even with the amount of success he’s earned so far, Steffen is not satisfied with a run in the Audi 2017 Major League Soccer Cup Playoffs looming.
"I didn't really know how the season would go," Steffen said. "I was kind of just focusing on training and working with [Assistant Coach Pat Onstad] and the guys in front of me and just taking it day-by-day and game-by-game and getting better each day and I'm happy with how the season has gone, but we're not done."
With two regular-season contests remaining, Crew SC is assured of finishing no lower than sixth place in the Eastern Conference by virtue of its win against D.C. United at MAPFRE Stadium on September 30. The win against D.C. United was the Black & Gold’s 12th regular-season home victory of 2017, setting a new club record for most regular-season wins at home.
Final postseason seeding will be determined in the coming weeks as the Black & Gold (15-12-5, 50 points) conclude the regular season along with all other MLS clubs.
Up next, Crew SC travels to take on Orlando City SC at Orlando City Stadium on Sunday, October 15 (5 p.m. ET / The CW Columbus, Spectrum Sports, BCSN2, CD102.5 FM, La Mega 103.1 FM, English radio stream available).
