USMNT goalkeeper Zack Steffen wins Premier League debut against Pulisic, Chelsea

In the English Premier League’s first Pennsylvania derby on Sunday, goalkeeper Zack Steffen earned a win and bragging rights over his U.S. Men’s National Team teammate, Christian Pulisic.

Steffen won in his Premier League debut as Manchester City recorded a comprehensive 3-1 victory against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The Downingtown, Pa. native became the eighth USMNT keeper to perform in the EPL. His bid to become the third USMNT goalkeeper to register a clean sheet in his first match was spoiled by Callum Hudson-Odoi’s goal two minutes into stoppage time and seconds prior to the final whistle.

After mistakenly handling a back pass in the penalty area that gave Chelsea a free kick in the opening minutes, Steffen recovered and was not severely tested as Man City rolled to a surprising three-goal halftime advantage.

Pulisic, a Hershey, Pa. native, arguably was the Blues’ best player, particularly in the first half.

Kasey Keller (Leicester City; Aug. 17, 1996) and Tim Howard (Manchester United; Aug. 16, 2003) recorded shutouts in their EPL debuts. The other USMNT keepers who performed in England’s top tier included Brad Friedel, Brad Guzan, Juergen Sommer, Marcus Hahnemann and Ian Feuer.

USMNT Weekend Rewind:

• Tyler Adams (RB Leipzig; German Bundesliga) – 81 minutes in 1-0 win over Stuttgart (Jan. 1)
• John Brooks (Wolfsburg; German Bundesliga) – 90 minutes in 2-0 loss at Borussia Dortmund (Jan. 3)
• Reggie Cannon (Boavista; Portuguese Primeira) – 90 minutes in 0-0 draw at Maritimo (Jan. 3)
• Konrad de la Fuente (Barcelona; Spain La Liga/Segunda B) – In 18, DNP in 1-0 win at Huesca (Jan. 3)
• Sergiño Dest (Barcelona; Spain La Liga) – 75 minutes in 1-0 win at Huesca (Jan. 3)
• Julian Green (Greuther Fürth; German Second Bundesliga) – 90 minute and a GOAL in 2-1 win vs. St. Pauli (Jan. 3)
• Duane Holmes (Derby County; English Championship) – Not in 18, DNP in 1-0 loss at Sheffield Wednesday (Jan. 1); In 18, but DNP in 4-0 win at Birmingham City (Dec. 29)
• Weston McKennie (Juventus; Italian Serie A) – 65 minutes in 4-1 win vs. Udinese (Jan. 3)
• Alfredo Morales (Fortuna Düsseldorf; German Second Bundesliga) – vs. Paderborn Monday at 12:30 p.m. ET (Jan. 4)
• Yunus Musah (Valencia; Spain La Liga) – 14 minutes in 2-1 loss at Granada (Dec. 30); vs. Cadiz, Monday at 3 p.m. ET (Jan. 4)
• Owen Otasowie (Wolverhampton Wanderers; English Premier League) – 3 minutes as a sub in 3-3 draw at Brighton & Hove Albion (Jan. 2); In 18, DNP in 1-0 loss at Manchester United (Dec. 29)
• Christian Pulisic (Chelsea; English Premier League) – 90 minutes in 3-1 loss vs. Manchester City (Jan. 3); 90 minutes in 1-1 draw vs. Aston Villa (Dec. 28)
• Tim Ream (Fulham; English Premier League) – At Burnley, postponed due to COVID-19 issues (Jan. 3); At Tottenham, postponed due to COVID-19 issues (Dec. 30)
• Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund; German Bundesliga) – 89 minutes in 2-0 win vs. Wolfsburg (Jan. 3)
• Chris Richards (Bayern Munich; German Bundesliga/German 3.Liga) – In 18, DNP in 5-2 win vs. Mainz 05 (Jan. 3)
• Antonee Robinson (Fulham; English Premier League) – At Burnley, postponed due to COVID-19 issues (Jan. 3); At Tottenham, postponed due to COVID-19 issues (Dec. 30)
• Josh Sargent (Werder Bremen; German Bundesliga) – 90 minutes in 2-0 loss vs. Union Berlin (Jan. 2)
• Sebastian Soto (Telstar, Dutch Eerste Divisie) – 24 minutes and a GOAL as a substitute in 5-2 win vs. NEC (Jan. 3)
• Zack Steffen (Manchester City; English Premier League) – 90 minutes in a 3-1 win at Chelsea (Jan. 3)
• DeAndre Yedlin (Newcastle United; English Premier League) – 79 minutes in 2-1 loss vs. Leicester City (Jan. 3); 90 minutes in 0-0 draw vs. Liverpool (Dec. 30)