Zack Steffen Bio
Zackary Thomas Steffen (born April 2, 1995) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Major League Soccer club Colorado Rapids and the United States national team. Steffen began his youth career with West Chester United before joining the Philadelphia Union in 2012. He played two seasons with the Maryland Terrapins in college before moving to Germany’s SC Freiburg. Returning to the MLS in 2016, he became a starting goalkeeper with Columbus Crew, receiving several accolades including the 2018 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year. After a spell at Manchester City, Steffen signed with Colorado Rapids in 2024.
Early Life and Background
Born in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, Zackary Thomas Steffen began playing soccer at the age of five with local recreational league West Bradford Youth Athletics. He started his travel soccer career as a defender with local club West Chester United. At the age of ten, he switched to become a goalkeeper after his team’s keeper could not make it to a game. In 2008, he joined FC DELCO, playing for the club in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy through high school. Steffen attended Malvern Preparatory School for his freshman and sophomore years before transferring to Downingtown West High School, where he was named the Ches-Mont League MVP as a senior while earning all-PIAA and all-American honors. Steffen was one of the first players to come through the Philadelphia Union Academy, playing for the Union U17 team in 2012. He was part of the team that won the 2012 Generation Adidas Cup, defeating the Toronto FC Academy in a penalty shootout. Steffen was ranked as the number one goalkeeper in the nation by TopDrawerSoccer.com and committed to play collegiately for coach Sasho Cirovski and the Maryland Terrapins, part of a class that ranked third nationally.
Path to Soccer
On May 29, 2013, Steffen was officially unveiled as part of Maryland’s 2013 recruiting class. He made his collegiate debut on August 30, making three saves as part of a 3–3 draw with number 20 Stanford. Steffen went on to play every minute of the Terrapins’ 26 games, tallying a career-high seven saves in a 1–1 draw with Old Dominion on September 24. He helped Maryland win the 2013 ACC Men’s Soccer Tournament and earned himself an All-Atlantic Coast Conference Freshman Team selection. In the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Tournament, Steffen made 18 saves in five matches, helping Maryland reach the national championship game, where they fell to Notre Dame. He was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player and earned a spot on the College Cup All-Tournament Team. As Maryland transitioned to the Big Ten Conference in 2014, Steffen continued to be a key player, keeping nine shutouts and helping the Terrapins claim the Big Ten regular season title. He left the school in December 2014 to sign professionally in Germany, departing Maryland after playing in 48 games for the Terrapins.
Zack Steffen Career
Early Career (2015–2016)
Following his sophomore season at Maryland, Steffen signed a professional contract with German club SC Freiburg. He was assigned to SC Freiburg II, the club’s reserve team in the fourth-tier Regionalliga Südwest. Steffen made his debut for the Freiburg reserves on August 1, 2015, keeping a clean sheet in a 0–0 draw. He went on to make 14 appearances for Freiburg II during the 2015–16 season. On July 22, 2016, Steffen returned to the United States, signing with Major League Soccer club Columbus Crew as a Discovery Signing. He initially joined the Crew after a loan spell with United Soccer League club Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Steffen made nine appearances for Pittsburgh and was named to the bench three times for the Crew without making an appearance.
Breakthrough (2017–2019)
Ahead of the 2017 season, Steffen was named as the Crew’s starting goalkeeper after beating out other contenders. He made his club debut in the season opener, starting all 34 regular season games and leading the club to an MLS Cup Playoffs berth. Steffen had a standout performance against Atlanta United in the knockout round of the 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs, making eight saves and saving two shots during the shoot-out as the Crew advanced. He was named the 2018 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year and earned a spot on the MLS Best XI after tallying a career-high 10 clean sheets. Following the season, he signed with Manchester City for a fee that was reported to be the largest in club history for a goalkeeper. He was loaned to Fortuna Düsseldorf for the 2019–20 season but suffered injuries that limited his appearances.
Notable Works and Milestones
Steffen’s signature work includes his time with Columbus Crew, where he was instrumental in the team’s playoff runs and received individual accolades. He also made significant contributions during his time at Manchester City, including winning the EFL Cup in 2021, where he kept a clean sheet in the final.
Zack Steffen Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Zack Steffen has received several nominations for his performances, including recognition as the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year.
Zack Steffen Awards Won
Zack Steffen has won prestigious awards, including the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year in 2018 and an EFL Cup winner’s medal with Manchester City in 2021.
Zack Steffen Family
Zack Steffen is the oldest of five children. His sister, Katy, played college softball at Penn State University, while his other sister, Lexy, briefly played collegiate soccer at West Chester University. Steffen has the phrase “forever my family” tattooed on his rib cage in honor of his siblings.
Personal Life
Zack Steffen is a co-founder of the VOYCENOW Foundation, a non-profit organization that aims to bring athletes and fans together to help Black communities in America and fight for equality.
