Zack Steffen had himself a game on Thursday night. The young Columbus Crew goalkeeper saved everything kicked, headed and scuffed his way against this season’s darlings Atlanta United in an MLS Knockout Round playoff.
The 22-year-old, who returned to MLS after a couple years in Germany, put on a shot-stopping show and denied Atlanta United of its first playoff win, doing whatever it took to keep the ball out of his net, including three stops in a shootout after a scoreless draw in regulation, giving Columbus a 3-1 win at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
"We will be talking about this performance from a 22-year-old Zack Steffen for years to come," ESPN commentator Taylor Twellman said during the match.
The first two MLS playoff games on Wednesday featured nine goals and two lopsided victories. This match featured as much if not more action, but no goals thanks to the play of Steffen, his Atlanta counterpart Brad Guzan and some friendly woodwork. Steffen, in particular, was a wall.
Extra time in Atlanta. #ATLvCLB pic.twitter.com/YOYyVFVM7X
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 27, 2017
Guzan did his part, though his best save was for naught after a late offside flag. But the post had just as many saves, with the woodwork struck about half-a-dozen times.
This is crazy. #ATLvCLB // @Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/D4fLzLhlb0
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 27, 2017
And yet, the best save of the game came from a defender, Atlanta captain Michael Parkhurst in the 118th minute. Parkhurst didn't practice all week and came on as a second-half sub but came up with a huge goal-line clearance to keep the match level late.
Columbus was THISCLOSE to a late winner–until former Crew captain Michael Parkhurst saved the day for Atlanta.pic.twitter.com/vlI2fua2pV
— Planet Fútbol (@si_soccer) October 27, 2017
The match was not without controversy. In the 40th minute, Columbus’ Ola Kamara scored a goal that was clearly onside but was called back for offside.
Uh... this was disallowed for offside, and I don't know how else to say it but that call was not at all an accurate call. pic.twitter.com/sRrRX0C3gN
— Total MLS (@TotalMLS) October 26, 2017
The referee blew the whistle before Kamara’s shot, so the play couldn’t be reviewed by VAR, which can only look at important moments like goals.
Moments into the second half, a similar moment transpired, only this time the referee waited to blow his whistle. Steffen saved the ensuing shot that was ultimately ruled offside, but because the whistle wasn’t blown the play could have been reviewed. It would have shown that, again, there was no offside and the assistant had missed another call.
The game set the MLS postseason attendance record at 67,221 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, and the atmosphere was impressive.
67,221
Postseason @MLS attendance recordYou've done it again, Atlanta! pic.twitter.com/hCGLj74KXC
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) October 27, 2017
The fans in Atlanta are up for this one. Quite a show at @MBStadium pic.twitter.com/YTg3iIJpQh #ATLvCLB
— Planet Fútbol (@si_soccer) October 27, 2017
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