Zack Steffen saves USMNT from ugly Curacao loss

While Christian Pulisic may get more headlines with his stunning cross, U.S. goalkeeper Zach Steffen proved his worth in a 1-0 win over Curacao.

In big matches, goalkeepers need to be strong for their teams. Despite not always controlling a game, a good goalkeeper can often sway a match one way or another with strong play. Tonight, U.S. keeper Zach Steffen came up with big saves to hold off Curacao 1-0 in the Gold Cup quarter-finals in Philadelphia.

Coming into this game, the USMNT was looking for another strong showing after three straight wins in the group stage. Instead, Curacao came up with a shocking performance against the favorites.

The match started very well as the Americans came forward with an aggressive purpose. Christian Pulisic’s 25th-minute cross found Weston McKinnie, who headed home the game’s only goal.  After that goal, the Americans did not have very many opportunities at finding a second goal.

In the second half, Curacao came forward looking for an equalizer. Steffen was tasked with bailing out bad offensive execution and defensive lapses with key saves.

Steffen’s best save came in the 84th minute when Leandro Bacuna forced Steffen into a finger-tipping save to keep the 1-0 edge.

Steffen needed to make six saves, while the U.S. only forced Curacao keeper Eloy Room into making just two saves.

Tonight’s win also gave Steffen his fourth-straight shutout and kept his shutout streak from the group stages.

Without Steffen’s heroics, the game could have gone into extra time, or worst, Curacao could have knocked out the Americans. Instead, the USMNT squeaked out a result against a gamely Curacao side.

Steffen and the USMNT will have little time to worry about tonight’s effort with Jamaica as the next opponent on Wednesday in the Gold Cup semi-finals.