Zack Steffen did his best to keep Manchester City in its Community Shield match with Leicester City, but he couldn’t quite do enough. Kelechi Iheanacho converted on an 89th-minute penalty kick to finally find a way past the American goalkeeper as the Foxes won their second Community Shield title on Saturday, the first coming in 1971.
Steffen made four saves, including one that was arguably the play of the game, but could only get his fingertips to Iheanacho’s well-struck penalty in the closing minutes.
Iheanacho from the spot!
Leicester City are close to the Community Shield pic.twitter.com/0eljDNtcAf— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 7, 2021
Manchester City, which was missing many of its biggest stars, dominated possession, but chances were evenly spread out between the sides. Man City had more total shots (12-10) but Leicester forced Steffen into more saves (4-3).
The play of the day belonged to Steffen when he somehow scrambled to deny Jamie Vardy’s volley just before halftime.
What a save, Zack Steffen pic.twitter.com/ZFpK7Czu5W
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 7, 2021
As the match wore on, Leicester looked the fresher side. In the 84th minute, Steffen had to race off his line to make a last-ditch challenge to keep the match scoreless.
Moments later, Steffen again made a one-on-one save, but it did not count as the referee called the play back for a foul by Nathan Aké in the box just prior. Steffen guessed the right way and got his fingertips to the spot kick, but Iheanacho had just enough power to send Leicester City to the win.
There have been a lot of questions over who the USMNT’s starting goalkeeper should be come World Cup qualifiers next month. Steffen is the presumed No. 1, but he doesn’t get a ton of playing time at City. Ethan Horvath, who recently joined Nottingham Forest in the Championship, was superb against Mexico in the Nations League final when he came on as a second-half sub. Matt Turner had an incredible Gold Cup tournament, including another win over Mexico in that final. Based on Saturday’s evidence, Steffen is probably still Gregg Berhalter’s top choice.
Pep Guardiola’s side, meanwhile, struggled to threaten Kasper Schmeichel’s goal. Not even the introduction of the most expensive Englishman of all time, Jack Grealish, a 65th-minute sub, could spark the offense.
While many teams treat the Community Shield as a glorified preseason friendly, Leicester City certainly enjoyed lifting the trophy.
✅ FA Cup
✅ Community ShieldLeicester City are living! pic.twitter.com/jO7yVFiCZF— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 7, 2021
