Jeff Carlyle
Zach Steffen has sustained a knee injury, making him the second goalkeeper to exit the US training camp ahead of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
The injury occurred during Tuesday’s training session, prompting his return to the Colorado Rapids for further evaluation, as confirmed by the US Football Federation on Wednesday. He is anticipated to miss the tournament.
An insider familiar with knee injuries indicated that Steffen might be sidelined for four to six weeks. A representative from Rapids declined to provide further details, only stating that he has returned to Denver for additional assessments.
The US Men’s National Team (USMNT) will play friendly matches against Turkey and Switzerland on Saturday and Tuesday, respectively, before kicking off their Gold Cup journey against Trinidad and Tobago on June 15th.
Steffen has been in strong form so far this season, and this injury comes at a challenging time for the former Manchester City goalkeeper.
Following his impressive performance during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Steffen returned to the USMNT consideration and shone with a 2-0 win over Panama in January.
He was expected to compete with incumbent starter Matt Turner, especially after Turner had minimal appearances in league matches with Crystal Palace.
After Columbus goalkeeper Patrick Schulte suffered an oblique injury on May 24, the challenge has intensified, leading to considerations of backups like Matt Freeze from New York City FC and Chris Brady from Chicago Fire.
“I’ve never seen myself as the undisputed No. 1,” Turner stated on Wednesday. “I think that keeps me motivated to fight for every chance I get with this coaching staff after my last season.”
Turner also hinted at a potential club change before the next season begins.
“I hope to have some news for you about my future this summer,” Turner added.
This report includes information from the Associated Press.
Fan Take: This injury is significant for the USMNT as it alters their goalkeeping dynamics, impacting their strategy in the upcoming Gold Cup. Fans should pay close attention to how this situation unfolds, as it could shape the team’s performance on the international stage.
