Zack Steffen Not Called Up for USMNT October Friendlies Amid Strange Poch Comments

Austin, Texas – Earlier this week, the United States Men’s National Team announced a 26-man roster for the October international window. No Colorado Rapids players were called in. Goalkeeper Zack Steffen was the most likely. This news was followed up by a Mauricio Pochettino press conference that raised some eyebrows.

Poch called in goalkeepers. Matt Turner and Matt Freese were expected. They are likely battling it out for the starting spot next summer. Columbus Crew’s Patrick Schulte, who was often favored over Steffen in the past, is in as well. Fourth goalkeeper is Chicago Fire’s Chris Brady, who’s had some moments recently.

There’s only two more international windows before World Cup camp next summer. It’s going to be near impossible for a fringe guy who didn’t get called in for this camp to make the World Cup roster. Steffen not getting called in with the second game at his home stadium, DICK’s Sporting Goods Park, makes that even more so.

Poch was punchy in his press conference. He was asked about several players who were not included. Other than Tyler Adams, whose wife is expecting, he didn’t want to give specifics. He was dismissive of questions about calling up Player A vs Player B. He said he doesn’t tell players why they are called up or not called up, either.

“Players don’t need to know. When you don’t play, deep down, you know why. The players that were not called today, they need to be desperate to play better and improve,” he said, adding “respect the players who are called in.”

Reading between the lines, Poch is saying if a player doesn’t get called in, they haven’t been good enough. At least not to him and his staff.

Honestly, I don’t think Steffen deserved it. He hasn’t kept a clean sheet in 12 games all competitions. He hasn’t massively outperformed his expected goals against, unlike last year with Leagues Cup. He’s given up soft goals recently. Poor positioning at Sporting KC made for an easy finish for Mason Toye. He had butter fingers on an FC Dallas goal recently as well. He makes amazing saves then gives up a soft one. It’s inconsistent. It’s a liability.

I do feel bad for Steffen. He’s made the roster multiple times. Had an injury in one camp. He got sick another time. Freese was there and ready for the Gold Cup. He played well. The best ability is availability. Steffen’s been Wally Pipped by Turner, Freese, and Schulte at one point or another.

Elsewhere, I’m not surprised any other Rapids got called in but let’s cover them for completeness. Paxten Aaronson has four caps for the senior team if we exclude the Olympics. One was January Camp 2023. The other three were sub appearances at this past Gold Cup for 54 minutes of garbage time. If you’re a sub for the B Team, you’re not in contention for the World Cup. The fact that he’s got no goal contributions in 391 minutes for a middling team where he’s the star doesn’t help.

The grumpy USMNT Twitter Bros liked that news. I have not found one of them who thought Aaronson was likely to make the World Cup based on the minutes he got at the Gold Cup.

Cole Bassett missed out on the Olympics. We previously reported it came down to him and Benjamin Cremaschi. He wasn’t in the Gold Cup squad at any point, so he’s not in the running. Nobody else is worth discussing.

For the salty Rapids supporters, Djordje Mihailović didn’t get called up either. There was some whispers he wanted to get into the national team and felt Colorado was too small a platform for that. He’s got a goal and three assists in seven starts for a bad team and even that wasn’t good enough.

I don’t think a Rapids player is making the World Cup next summer. I do think former Colorado center back Moïse Bombito will likely start at for Canada.

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