MLS Columbus Crew SC

Columbus Crew SC Signs Goalkeeper Zack Steffen

Published on July 22, 2016 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Columbus Crew SC News Release


COLUMBUS - Columbus Crew SC today announced that it has signed goalkeeper Zack Steffen. A native of Downingtown, Pennsylvania and a United States youth international, Steffen comes to Columbus as a Discovery Signing after having last played for German club SC Freiburg.

Steffen has shined during his tenure with the United States youth National Teams, most notably for the Under-20s during the summer of 2015, where he served as the primary goalkeeper at both the 2015 CONCACAF U-20 Championship and the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand.

"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 Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter. "We believe he has a bright future and we look forward to working with him."

LISTEN: Steffen on joining Columbus Crew SC - http://crew.sc/2aALf1m

Formerly of the University of Maryland, Steffen began his professional career when he signed for German side SC Freiburg on December 12, 2014. He made his debut for the reserve side on August 1, 2015, keeping a clean sheet against Saarbr-cken in the Regionalliga S-dwest. All-told, he made 14 appearances during his first full professional season with SC Freiburg II, registering three shutouts.

Earlier in 2015, Steffen took the reins between the posts for the United States at the 2015 CONCACAF U-20 Championship, where he started five out of the Stars & Stripes' six contests. He kept clean sheets in the final two Group Stage matches against Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, helping the U.S. advance to the Playoff Stage, where he again blanked El Salvador in a 2-0 victory that ensured the United States' qualification to the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand.

At that tournament, Steffen again was the first-choice goalkeeper, playing every minute of every match as the United States advanced to the Quarterfinals. He shut-out the hosts New Zealand in the Group Stage as well as Colombia in the Round of 16, including a penalty save.

Before turning professional, Steffen played for the University of Maryland in 2013 and 2014, logging every minute in goal for the Terrapins over those two seasons. He recorded 17 clean sheets over his tenure and was named to the ACC All-Freshman team in 2013. He also captured NCAA Championship Most Valuable Defensive Player honors that season, and was named the Most Valuable Defensive Player of the Big Ten Tournament in 2014.

MEDIA AVAILABILITY NOTE: Columbus Crew SC is set to introduce both Steffen and fellow signee Nicolai Naess in a special prematch photo and media opportunity prior to the start of tomorrow's match against Orlando City SC. At 5:40 p.m. ET, Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter will present both Naess and Steffen with their new Crew SC kits in a media photo opportunity, followed by interview availability with both players. To accommodate all members of the media desiring to cover the introduction, the media entrance for tomorrow's match is now opening at 5:00 p.m. ET. The introduction takes place in the northwest corner of MAPFRE Stadium adjacent to the player tunnel.

The Black & Gold conclude a three-match Major League Soccer homestand on Saturday, July 23 when Orlando City SC visits Central Ohio (7:30 p.m. ET / The CW Columbus, Time Warner Cable SportsChannel, BCSN2, CD102.5 FM, La Mega 103.1 FM, English radio stream available on ColumbusCrewSC.com).

TRANSACTION: Columbus Crew SC signed goalkeeper Zack Steffen as a Discovery Signing on July 22, 2016.

Name: Zack Steffen Position: Goalkeeper Height: 6'3" Weight: 190 Born: April 2, 1995 in Coatesville, PA Hometown: Downingtown, PA Citizenship: United States Acquired: Columbus Crew SC signed goalkeeper Zack Steffen as a Discovery Signing on July 22, 2016 Previous Experience: SC Freiburg (2014-2016)

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