Zack Steffen's seven saves, penalty heroics help Colorado Rapids knock out Liga MX heavyweight Leon in Leagues Cup

Zack Steffen has struggled for consistency over the past few seasons. He might have turned the page with a masterclass performance for the Colorado Rapids against heavily favored Liga MX team Club Leon.

The former U.S. No. 1 goalkeeper had an impressive seven saves in the Rapids 1-1 (4-3 penalties) win - including two brilliant stops in the penalty shootout. It was the heroics of Steffen that helped keep the Rapids in the match against a firing Leon side.

"Zack Steffen, I've said it many times, he's been so important for us," Colorado head coach Chris Armas said after the match. "I said in the offseason what a signing for us, the way he trains every day and shows up, that message for me has been consistent. To see him make those plays, be the difference-maker there, I'm happy for Zack. It’s a big performance from him in that moment."

The Liga MX club had 14 shots to the Rapids' 10 and eight of their shots were on target. With Steffen hard to beat, the Rapids would find their equalizer through their star striker Rafael Navarro in the dying seconds of the contest.

With the victory, the Rapids advanced to the knockouts of the tournament, thus eliminating the Liga MX powerhouse.

Things were looking upward for Steffen when he signed with Manchester City from the Columbus Crew in 2019. He became just the fifth American to win the League Cup in 2021, keeping a clean sheet for Pep Guardiola's side. Yet, inconsistency and some high-profile gaffes as the No. 2 goalkeeper at City ultimately saw his stock both at the club level and the USMNT tumble.

He was surprisingly left off of Gregg Berhalter's 2022 World Cup roster and an injury in 2023 cost him that season.

Steffen returned to MLS in an effort to re-ignite his career and after some early struggles, he's shown glimpses of what made him a top-level goalkeeper prospect years ago. Legendary USMNT goalkeeper Tim Howard still believes in Steffen's quality.

“Zack’s talent is unmatched," Howard said in an interview during his Hall of Fame induction. "I’ve always said about Zack he could be the greatest U.S. goalkeeper of all time because of the physical tools that he possesses.”

With the U.S. goalkeeping situation in limbo due to Matt Turner losing his starting spot at the club level with Nottingham Forest, performances such as Monday's could potentially bring Steffen back into the fold.

The Rapids have advanced to the knockout stage of the tournament, where they will take on Juarez of Liga MX.