US men’s national team goalkeeper Zack Steffen earned his first Premier League start Sunday when Manchester City took on Christian Pulisic and Chelsea.
Steffen had a shaky start, handling a backpass that led to a Chelsea free kick in the 5th minute. But Hakim Ziyech’s free kick just outside the 18-yard box was blocked by the wall for a corner kick.
Steffen’s lone save was a pedestrian one, leaping up to grab a lofted Cesar Azpilicueta header in first-half stoppage time.
A dream of a clean sheet, though, was dashed at the death on Callum Hudson-Odoi’s back post finish.
It’s been a long road for Steffen to his first league start since an announced transfer from Columbus Crew SC for a club record fee in Dec. 2018.
Pep Guardiola on #USMNT goalkeeper Zack Steffen making his Premier League debut for Man City today at Chelsea: "He's settled really well. He's a young goalkeeper who has had experience in Germany and the USA."#MCFC #CFC #CHEMCI
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) January 3, 2021
The transfer went into effect the following summer with Steffen subsequently sent to Fortuna Dusseldorf on a season-long loan.
The 25-year-old joined Manchester City in preseason, with the expectation he’d be the No. 2 goalkeeper behind Ederson following Claudio Bravo’s departure from the club.
25 year-old Coatesville, PA native Zack Steffen makes Premier League debut in goal for Man City facing Hershey, Pennsylvania's 22 year-old Christian Pulisic as City visit Chelsea. Just another epic Premier League clash showcasing American Talent. A Day that Dreams are made of🇺🇸🙌 pic.twitter.com/5OIuPkgWwD
— roger bennett (@rogbennett) January 3, 2021
Steffen has made four starts for Manchester City this year — three in the Carabao Cup and one in the UEFA Champions League, a 3-0 group stage win over Marseille a month ago.
But with Ederson one of five Manchester City players self-isolating due to coronavirus concerns, Steffen got his first Premier League start against Chelsea and could also be in the XI for the Manchester Derby in the Carabao Cup semifinal Wednesday.
