OBETZ, Ohio – Two years ago, a young goalkeeper trying to break into any first-team action for SC Freiburg in Germany’s second division, Zack Steffen was unhappy and uncertain.
The talented ‘keeper had left the University of Maryland after his sophomore season, ready to be the next in a long line of Americans to embark on his European adventure.
But while he fought for a chance, the downsides of Germany weighed on him. He wasn’t having as much fun with soccer anymore, and his family and friends were an ocean away. But one day, while his agent was exploring opportunities for him to return home, Steffen said he remembers getting a bit of motivation that seems like a premonition now.
“I’m a big Tumblr guy,” he said. “I remember I read this saying that, ‘You won’t be in the same spot a year from now,’ and it was true. It’s crazy how time flies.”
Now, Steffen is playing on the biggest stage of his life, growing into a stalwart goalkeeper for a Columbus Crew SC team that’s made a stunning run to the Eastern Conference Championship against Toronto FC, which opens Tuesday at MAPFRE Stadium (8 pm ET | ESPN, ESPN Deportes in US, TSN1/3/4/5, TVAS in Canada).
And at just 22, it’s not a major change in his game that’s helped Steffen, it’s simply being comfortable again. From living with the family of his old friend and Columbus teammate Alex Crognale to getting his first place on his own, he said he’s felt better in the states since day one.
“I think a lot of it has to do with off-the-field things,” he said. “I had close friends over in Germany, but the bonds were different. It’s a little more professional over there than it is here. Not to say it’s not professional here, but the guys and I hang out off the field all the time and my family is six hours away. It’s become a hobby again, and it’s been nice.”
Crew SC head coach Gregg Berhalter said he knew how much talent Steffen had even before he signed the goalkeeper, but said he’s been pleased with how Steffen has grown in Columbus. And he understands that sometimes, off-field confidence can be as important as what happens on the pitch.
“The environment is something that helps you perform,” Berhalter said. “He’s comfortable here, but he also has the confidence of his teammates and his staff. When you’re in a good environment, it’s much easier to perform.”
In Columbus, Steffen said he’s been focused on “being a leader and being more vocal and commanding” since he took over the starting role at the beginning of the 2017 season.
And thanks to a solid end to the season and a breakout performance in Columbus’s penalty-kick-shootout win over Atlanta United to open the playoffs, he’s played his way into conversations for the US national team as the squad undergoes a youth movement.
When asked if Steffen is ready for that kind of stage, Berhalter – a former USMNT player himself – didn’t hesitate: “Yes.”
Steffen said he “definitely wished” he was on the field when a youthful US squad played Portugal last week, but said he’s not switching gears to national team thoughts while Columbus stay alive.
“It’s a nice little accolade,” he said of USMNT talk. “When my time comes, hopefully I’ll show up. But I’m definitely focused on the Crew and getting better each and every day.”
