Zack Steffen makes Manchester City debut in league cup win

A journey from Chester County, Pa. to one of the biggest clubs in the world culminated in Zack Steffen’s debut for Manchester City in an English Football League Cup match on Thursday.

The 25-year-old started in goal for the Sky Blues against AFC Bournemouth in a third round tilt. Manchester City won the match 2-1; Steffen recorded one save but made a big play to cut down a chance for Sam Surridge far out of his box in the 55th minute with the score tied 1-1.

Steffen has been on the books with the Manchester club since his transfer from the Columbus Crew last July, but he spent the 2019-20 season on loan with Fortuna Düsseldorf in the Bundesliga.

Born in Coatesville, Pa. and raised in Downingtown, Steffen spent time playing locally for West Chester United, Lower Merion SC and FC Delco while also competing with Philadelphia Union youth teams in high school, winning the 2012 Generation adidas Cup with Jim Curtin as his coach. He also played high school soccer for two years at Malvern Prep and two years at Downingtown West before spending two seasons at the University of Maryland.

After leaving college to sign with SC Freiburg, he returned to the U.S. in 2016 to sign with the Crew and made 76 appearances with the Union’s rivals before signing with Man City.