Steffen, Trapp, Zardes called to US team

Three Crew SC players have been called up for the United States national team’s two upcoming friendlies.

National team interim coach Dave Sarachan announced a 24-player roster for Friday’s game against Brazil and a Sept. 11 match against Mexico that includes Crew SC goalkeeper Zack Steffen, midfielder Wil Trapp and forward Gyasi Zardes.

The call-up is Zardes’ first since he played in a scoreless tie against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Jan. 28 after the conclusion of the national team’s January camp in Carson, California. Zardes has six goals in 38 appearances for the national team and earned another look amid a run of good form with the Crew. He leads the team with 15 goals in 27 games.

Trapp, Crew SC’s captain, got another call-up after successful appearances against Ireland and France in June. Trapp already has four appearances for the national team this year. He wore the captain’s armband in all four games.

Steffen is considered the national team goalkeeper of the future and will look to build on his three national team appearances against yet another high-level opponent. In a draw in Lyon, France, against the French national team — the eventual 2018 World Cup champions — Steffen made seven saves to keep the United States in the game late.

The 23-year-old goalkeeper has made 53 saves in 22 games into his second full season as the Crew’s starter. He earned MLS Player of the Month honors in May after recording five consecutive shutouts.

The United States takes on Brazil at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, before traveling to Nashville, Tennessee, to face Mexico at Nissan Stadium.

Crew SC’s national team trio is not expected to miss a Crew game during the callup. The Crew does not play next weekend and returns for a Sept. 15 road game at FC Dallas.