Zack Steffen made a triumphant return to the U.S. national soccer team on Wednesday night, marking his first appearance in nearly three years in a friendly match against Costa Rica. The match ended with a convincing 3-0 victory for the United States, a welcome result for a team that has seen significant changes in recent months.
Steffen, who had not played for the national team since a World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica in March 2022, showcased his skills with two crucial saves during the match. He deftly tipped away a long-range shot from Alejandro Bran in the 37th minute and later parried a close-range effort from Allan Cruz in the 56th minute. “He performed really, really well,” said U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino, who praised Steffen’s performance as a key factor in the team’s success.
The scoring for the U.S. began in the 21st minute when Brian White netted his first international goal, assisted by Diego Luna, who showed remarkable resilience after suffering a broken nose earlier in the match. Caden Clark followed suit with his maiden goal for the national team in the 77th minute, and Patrick Agyemang capped off the scoring in the 90th minute, extending the U.S. winning streak to four matches—their best run since 2021. The team is preparing for the return of Europe-based players for the upcoming Nations League semifinal against Panama on March 20, as they continue to build momentum ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
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