Zack Steffen facts for kids
Steffen with the United States in 2019
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Zackary Thomas Steffen | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | April 2, 1995 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Coatesville, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position(s) | Goalkeeper | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Team information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Current team
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Colorado Rapids | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2000–2008 | West Chester United | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2008–2013 | FC DELCO | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2012 | Philadelphia Union | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| College career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2013–2014 | Maryland Terrapins | 48 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015–2016 | SC Freiburg II | 14 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016–2019 | Columbus Crew | 76 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | → Pittsburgh Riverhounds (loan) | 9 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019–2024 | Manchester City | 2 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019–2020 | → Fortuna Düsseldorf (loan) | 17 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022–2023 | → Middlesbrough (loan) | 42 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024– | Colorado Rapids | 46 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International career‡ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2012–2013 | United States U18 | 9 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014–2015 | United States U20 | 17 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | United States U23 | 4 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018– | United States | 30 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of July 16, 2025 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of January 22, 2025 |
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Zackary Thomas Steffen (born April 2, 1995) is an American professional soccer player. He plays as a goalkeeper for the Major League Soccer club Colorado Rapids. He also plays for the United States national team.
Steffen started his youth soccer journey with West Chester United. Later, he joined the Philadelphia Union in 2012. In 2013, he decided to play college soccer for the Maryland Terrapins. He became their main goalkeeper for two seasons. After college, he joined the German club SC Freiburg and played for their reserve team.
In July 2016, Steffen came back to the United States. He signed with the Columbus Crew. He also played on loan for United Soccer League club Pittsburgh Riverhounds. From 2017, Steffen became the main goalkeeper for the Columbus Crew. He won the Goalkeeper of the Year Award in 2018.
In December 2018, Steffen agreed to join Premier League club Manchester City. He officially joined in July 2019. He was immediately loaned to the German club Fortuna Düsseldorf for the 2019–20 season. He was their starting goalkeeper but got injured. He returned to Manchester City the next season, playing as a backup. In April 2021, Steffen won his first major trophy. He started in the EFL Cup final and helped Manchester City win 1–0. In January 2024, Steffen left Manchester City. He returned to Major League Soccer, signing with the Colorado Rapids.
Steffen played for United States youth teams before joining the senior national team in 2016. He made his senior debut in January 2018. He was the starting goalkeeper for the United States in the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup. They reached the final but lost to Mexico. He later helped the U.S. win the CONCACAF Nations League in 2021.
Contents
Early Soccer Days
Zack Steffen was born in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. He started playing soccer at age five. He first played as a defender for West Chester United. When he was 10, he became a goalkeeper because his team needed one.
In 2008, he joined FC DELCO. He played for them through high school. He also played for his high school team, Downingtown West. He was named the best player in his league as a senior.
Steffen was one of the first players from the Philadelphia Union Academy. He played for their U17 team in 2012. He was a top-ranked goalkeeper in the country. He decided to play college soccer for the Maryland Terrapins.
College Soccer Career
Steffen officially joined the Maryland soccer team in May 2013. He played his first college game on August 30. He played every minute of all 26 games for the Terrapins that year. He helped Maryland win the 2013 ACC Men's Soccer Tournament. He was named to the All-Atlantic Coast Conference Freshman Team.
In the 2013 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Tournament, Steffen made many saves. He helped Maryland reach the national championship game. They lost 2–1 to Notre Dame. He was named the tournament's best defensive player.
In 2014, Maryland joined the Big Ten Conference. Steffen continued to be the starting goalkeeper. He played every minute of their 22 matches. He helped the Terrapins win the Big Ten regular season title. He was named the tournament's Most Valuable Defensive Player. Steffen left Maryland in December 2014 to become a professional player. He played 48 games for the Terrapins.
Professional Club Journey
Playing in Germany
After college, Steffen signed with the German club SC Freiburg. He joined their reserve team, SC Freiburg II, in the fourth division. He made his debut for Freiburg II on August 1, 2015. He played 14 games for the team during the 2015–16 season.
Back to the United States
Steffen returned to the United States in July 2016. He signed with Major League Soccer club Columbus Crew. He was then loaned to United Soccer League club Pittsburgh Riverhounds. He played nine games for Pittsburgh that year.
Becoming a Starter in Columbus
For the 2017 season, Steffen became the main goalkeeper for the Crew. He played all 34 regular season games. He helped the team reach the MLS Cup Playoffs. In the playoffs, he made eight saves in a game against Atlanta United. He also saved two shots in a penalty shootout, helping the Crew win.
In the 2018 season, Steffen played 32 games. He had a 525-minute shutout streak, which was the longest in Crew history. He was chosen for the 2018 MLS All-Star Game against Juventus. He also saved two kicks in a penalty shootout in the playoffs. Steffen had 10 clean sheets that season. He was named the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year and made the MLS Best XI.
In 2018, English club Manchester City offered to buy Steffen. The Crew accepted the offer. Steffen played his last game for Columbus on June 1, 2019. He left Columbus with 26 clean sheets in 84 games.
Time with Manchester City
Steffen officially joined Manchester City on July 9, 2019. The transfer fee was estimated at $7 million.
Loan to Fortuna Düsseldorf
On July 9, 2019, Steffen was loaned to Fortuna Düsseldorf in Germany. He was their starting goalkeeper for the first half of the season. His performances were described as "outstanding." However, he suffered a knee injury that ended his season early.
Return to City
Steffen returned to Manchester City for the 2020–21 season. He became the team's second-choice goalkeeper. He made his debut for City in the League Cup in September 2020. He also played his first UEFA Champions League game in December 2020.
Steffen made his Premier League debut in January 2021. He helped City win the EFL Cup final on April 25, 2021. He became one of the few Americans to win this trophy.
2021–22 Season
On November 4, 2021, Steffen signed a new contract with City until 2025. He played his first league match of the season in October 2021. In April 2022, he started in the FA Cup semi-final.
Loan to Middlesbrough
On July 19, 2022, Steffen joined EFL Championship club Middlesbrough on loan for a season.
Back to the Colorado Rapids
On January 4, 2024, Steffen returned to the United States. He signed a three-year contract with the MLS team Colorado Rapids.
Playing for His Country
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Steffen was the starting goalkeeper for the United States under-20 team. He played in the 2015 CONCACAF U-20 Championship and the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup. In the U-20 World Cup, he saved a penalty kick against Colombia. This helped the U.S. win and move forward.
In May 2016, Steffen was called up to the United States national team. He made his debut in January 2018 against Bosnia and Herzegovina. He recorded his first clean sheet in a 1–0 win against Paraguay. In June 2018, he made seven saves against France, helping the U.S. draw 1–1.
He was the starting goalkeeper for the U.S. during the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup. They reached the final but lost to Mexico. Steffen later became the starting keeper in the Nations League finals. He started the final against Mexico. The United States won 3–2 in extra time, earning Steffen his first international honor.
About Zack's Life
Zack Steffen has two sisters, Katy and Lexy, and two younger brothers, Ben and Cole. His sister Katy played college softball. His sister Lexy briefly played college soccer as a goalkeeper. Steffen has a tattoo that says "forever my family" in honor of his siblings. He studied marketing in college.
Steffen is also a co-founder of the VOYCENOW Foundation. This group helps bring athletes and fans together. They work to support Black communities in America and fight for equality.
Career Statistics
Club
| Club | Season | League | National cup | League cup | Continental | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| SC Freiburg II | 2014–15 | Regionalliga Südwest | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 2015–16 | Regionalliga Südwest | 14 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 14 | 0 | |||||
| Total | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | 14 | 0 | |||||
| Pittsburgh Riverhounds (loan) | 2016 | United Soccer League | 9 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 9 | 0 | ||||
| Columbus Crew | 2016 | Major League Soccer | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | 0 | 0 | |||
| 2017 | Major League League | 34 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | – | – | 39 | 0 | |||
| 2018 | Major League Soccer | 29 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | – | – | 32 | 0 | |||
| 2019 | Major League Soccer | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | 13 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 76 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | – | – | 84 | 0 | ||||
| Fortuna Düsseldorf (loan) | 2019–20 | Bundesliga | 17 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | – | – | 18 | 0 | |||
| Manchester City | 2020–21 | Premier League | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | 12 | 0 | |
| 2021–22 | Premier League | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 0 | |
| 2023–24 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 2 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 21 | 0 | ||
| Middlesbrough (loan) | 2022–23 | Championship | 42 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | – | 2 | 0 | 45 | 0 | ||
| Colorado Rapids | 2024 | Major League Soccer | 33 | 0 | – | 2 | 0 | – | 7 | 0 | 42 | 0 | ||
| 2025 | Major League Soccer | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 | |
| Total | 46 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 57 | 0 | ||
| Career total | 206 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 248 | 0 | ||
International
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2018 | 6 | 0 |
| 2019 | 11 | 0 | |
| 2020 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2021 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2022 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2025 | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 30 | 0 | |
Awards and Achievements
Manchester City
- Premier League: 2020–21, 2021–22
- EFL Cup: 2020–21
- UEFA Champions League runner-up: 2020–21
United States
- CONCACAF Nations League: 2019–20
Individual Awards
- Columbus Crew Defender of the Year: 2017
- MLS Player of the Month: May 2018
- MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Award: 2018
- MLS Best XI: 2018
- MLS All-Star: 2018
- Leagues Cup Best Goalkeeper: 2024
See also
In Spanish: Zack Steffen para niños
