Crew’s Steffen named to MLS Best XI

Five days after he was announced as Major League Soccer’s Goalkeeper of the Year, Crew SC keeper Zack Steffen added another honor to his collection.

The 23-year-old on Sunday was named to the MLS Best XI, as selected by players, media and technical staffs.

This is his first time making a Best XI and the Crew’s first time having a player selected since Ethan Finlay and Kei Kamara both made the Best XI in 2015.

Steffen went 12-10-7 in 29 starts during the regular season, making 66 saves and recording 10 shutouts, up one from his first season as a starter in 2017.

Both awards this week speak to the league’s perception of Steffen as a quality player in key, game-saving moments. The Downington, Pennsylvania, native made just 66 saves, 19th among goalkeepers in MLS, but regularly helped the Crew out of difficult positions, either with timely saves or by playing out of the back.

“The guys in front of me have been outstanding this year and we learned a lot from our mistakes last year,” Steffen said. “I haven’t been called on too many times compared to last year and to get this award without those crazy stats is a good feeling.”

Steffen’s 2018 season turned a corner in May, when he recorded five consecutive shutouts to earn Player of the Month honors.

“I think that’s when I really felt in form. The team, we felt really in form, too,” Steffen said. “We really came together and fought for each other during that stretch and that really gave us confidence.”