Zack Steffen’s calm amidst the chaos has been a crucial part of Colorado Rapids’ League Cup run, and things are only going to get crazier.
The 29-year-old goalkeeper helped set up Saturday’s quarterfinal against Club America with strong performances against three other Liga MX clubs. It started against Leon, when Steffen made seven saves in regulation to set up a penalty shootout. Then, he stopped a pair of penalty kicks to send the Rapids to the knockout stage. FC Juarez doubled up the Rapids in shots on goal, 10-5, in the round of 32, but Steffen’s eight saves were just enough for a 3-2 win. The trend continued Tuesday, as Toluca had a 6-2 advantage in shots on goal. Steffen saved five, while Colorado converted its only two shots on goal to advance.
“I’m feeling good playing and having fun,” Steffen said after seeing 59 total shots over three win-or-go-home games. “This tournament is fun when it’s a knockout-game every time.”
Things are only going to get more chaotic. After playing the three previous games in at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, the Rapids are off to Los Angeles where they’re expecting to see a predominantly pro-Club America crowd.
“It’s probably 20,000 Club America fans. Hopefully, there’s some Rapids fans, but these are the games now that we want to play in,” midfielder Djordje Mihailovic said Tuesday.
“We’re very excited to continue this run we’re on.”
“It’s going to be some experience,” striker Darren Yapi added after scoring the game-winner against Toluca. “It’s going to be a yellow wall out there in LA.”
It will hardly be the first raucous environment Steffen has witnessed in his career. After coming up through the decorated Philadelphia Union academy and later starring for Columbus Crew, Steffen made a massive move to Manchester City. Though he primarily served as a backup in England, he made appearances in the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup before signing with the Rapids in January. He’s also made 29 senior appearances for the United States Men’s National Team. While his first season in Colorado has featured up-and-down play between the posts, Steffen’s presence has been a constant positive, according to coach Chris Armas.
“He’s a winner, but most importantly he’s an example to all of his teammates what it should look like,” Armas said after the Toluca match. “Winning, winning behaviors, winning habits, the way he shows up, the work ethic, all the things that we want to be about as a club, he walks it and lives it every day, and I’ve seen that all year. I’ve seen a guy that’s been really steady.”
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Club America advanced to the quarterfinals with a 4-2 win over Major League Soccer club St. Louis City at Dignity Health Sports Park, the site of Saturday’s match, where yellow was the primary color seen in the stands. That will be the case again Saturday, but the Rapids are feeling confident after three consecutive, chaotic wins.
“We train low-block defending and just staying calm in chaos. I think the guys have done a really good job of … putting out fires and staying calm when there a lot of pressure and a lot of chaos,” Steffen said.
“We’re excited. It’s going to be a hell of a game, a hell of an experience. My message to the guys is just to go in there and go for it, to play our hearts out and give it everything.”
Club America vs. Colorado Rapids
Time: 8 p.m. Saturday
Location: Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, Calif.
Television: Apple TV, Univision, TUDN
Radio: Altitude Sports, 950 AM
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Publish date : 2024-08-16 12:29:00
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