USMNT, Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Zack Steffen undergoes surgery on injured knee

USMNT and Colorado goalkeeper Zack Steffen is set to miss at least a month after undergoing knee surgery, the Rapids announced Tuesday.

Steffen, who may have had an opportunity to start for the U.S. in the upcoming Gold Cup, returned to Colorado in early June, and will now not be a part of the squad as the U.S. looks to reclaim the tournament.

The injury could be a significant blow to Steffen's USMNT chances. He was the No. 1 for for a stretch under then-coach Gregg Berhalter, before losing the starting spot to Matt Turner. Matt Freese and Chris Brady will compete with Turner for the starting role during the Gold Cup.

The injury would appear to open the door for Turner to reclaim the starting spot - something that he insisted last week: "I don't see myself as the number one No. 1 all the time. I think that's my mindset going into every camp right now, is that every inch, every opportunity needs to be fought for and every opportunity that I've had under this current staff I've earned by my performances within training and the opportunities that I had this past season with Crystal Palace."

Turner is reportedly set to sign for Ligue 1 side Lyon, in a $9.1M (€8M) move from English Premier League side Nottingham Forest. Turner, 30, spent the 2024-25 season on loan at Crystal Palace, where he made four appearances en route to winning the FA Cup with the Eagles.

The goalkeeper will return to action in the coming months. Colorado currently sit ninth in the Western Conference, 17 games into season. The post-Gold Cup USMNT camp is set for September.