Has Zack Steffen earned USMNT start over Matt Turner in Concacaf Nations League? | OneFootball

U.S. men's national team manager Mauricio Pochettino has made clear that playing in MLS won't disqualify players from earning meaningful USMNT call-ups. And he has a chance to put his money where his mouth is when it comes to who starts at goalkeeper in the Americans' upcoming Concacaf Nations League fixtures.

Matt Turner is clearly rostered at the higher level with the Premier League's Crystal Palace. But he's played only four matches in all competitions this season, used in League Cup and FA Cup play to spell manager Oliver Glasner's No. 1 Dean Henderson.

Return to form

Steffen, meanwhile, has returned to MLS after a European foray that went sideways. And after a middling first season as the starter for the Colorado Rapids in 2024, he has begun 2025 with one of the best stretches of his career.

Through six matches in all competitions, Steffen is conceding an average of 1.00 goals per match. And on Saturday night in San Jose, he made 12 saves to keep the Earthquakes at bay in a 2-1 victory.

And Steffen's 1.00 goals-against average is not reflective of the matches he's played in. According to Opta's data, Steffen has already saved Colorado roughly 2.9 goals relative to his opponents' post-shot expected goals totals.

Triumphant return?

Steffen was once the owner of the USMNT No. 1 role several years ago, before a loss of form and confidence that began while occupying the backup role at Manchester City led to Turner's ascencion, and eventually Steffen's omission from the 2022 World Cup squad altogether.

Steffen made his first USMNT start in nearly three years in January's 3-0 friendly win over Costa Rica with a roster of mostly MLS-based players. But he wasn't exactly worked very hard in that one. Meanwhile, Turner has continued to hold the No. 1 role early in Pochettino's tenure, starting in both legs of their quarterfinal win over Jamaica.

But Pochettino also characterized the goalkeeping job as an open competition last week. And Steffen can parlay his strong MLS form into a good showing in training ahead of Thursday's semifinal against Panama, don't be shocked if Pochettino makes a switch.