USMNT goalkeeper Zack Steffen explains decision to leave Man CIty and return to MLS with Colorado Rapids

The United States men's national team goalkeeper parted ways with Manchester City to join Major League Soccer club Colorado Rapids earlier this month. Steffen joined the Cityzens in 2019 and made his debut for the club in 2020 against Bournemouth in a Carabao Cup clash. During his stint with the Premier League champions, he had two loan spells at Fortuna Dusseldorf and Middlesbrough.

Speaking to Inquirer.com, the custodian said, "Just to be back in the States, closer to family, closer to friends, have them part of my career, just gives me a lot of energy and passion and motivation to come back here. And now I’m 28, getting up there a little bit, so I want some stability. And to win some games, lift some trophies, and just bring this club to a winning culture, a winning mentality.

"And I think we can do that. The situation, the city, the people, the club, the new coaches, and then Chris Sharpe. The conversations that we’ve had really excited me and gave me motivation, gave me confidence that we’re all on the same page regarding where we want to go individually and then collectively."

Despite playing in 45 matches for Boro during the 2022/23 season, the 28-year-old was left out of the USMNT squad for the 2022 Qatar World Cup. The goalkeeper is yet to play a single competitive game in the ongoing 2023/24 campaign but he will now hope to get regular game time in the MLS and return to the national team setup.

Rapids, who finished at the bottom of the Eastern Conference table in 2023, will hope to turn things around this season as they kick off their MLS 2024 campaign against Portland Timbers on February 25.