COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- Each week, umterps.com will track the best of Maryland men's soccer's numerous alums plying their trade professionally.
PRO TERPS REPORT
Steffen the History Maker
- Zack Steffen continues to make history in his first full season at Manchester City. Last week, the goalkeeper notched a clean sheet in the League Cup final to become just the fourth American to win the competition. Played at historic Wembley Stadium in London, Man City defeated Tottenham 1-0 to secure Steffen's first trophy as a member of the club.
- A week later, Steffen and City gave themselves a shot at the biggest trophy in European football, taking out Paris St. Germain over two legs to book a spot in the Champions League Final. Steffen's video of the locker room celebration went all kinds of viral and now has 1.7 million views on Twitter.
- If Man City can defeat Chelsea on May 29 in Istanbul, Steffen will become just the second American to ever win a UCL winners medal after Jovan Kirovski in 1997. With World Cup qualifying and The Gold Cup on the horizon, it could be a truly historic calendar year for the former Terp keeper.
Williamson Emerges
- Eryk Williamson's ascension as one of the top young midfielders in the American game was not put on pause by his snub from the USA Olympic Qualifying Team. The DMV native has come out of the gates performing well for the Portland Timbers, as shown by this beautiful run and finish last weekend. It was the first goal of EW's season and showed his class as a box-to-box midfielder.
- Williamson then picked up a start for the Timbers in the CONCACAF Champions League quarter finals at historic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The 2017 All-American will look to break into a crowded USMNT midfield with continued good performances at the club level.
NOTES FROM AROUND THE WORLD
- Amar Sejdic has appeared in all three matches during CF Montreal's unbeaten run to star the MLS season and received his first start in their last fixture.
- Dayne St. Clair saved a penalty kick in Minnesota United's opener against Seattle. That's been the highlight so far for St. Clair's Loons, who have started the season with three losses. DSC and Chase Gasper have both started all three matches.
- Chris Setiz has started between the sticks in all three of D.C. United's matches. United is 1-2 to start the year.
- Omar Gonzalez and Patrick Mullins have both appeared in two MLS matches for Toronto FC. Mullins also scored in the CONCACAF Champions League.
