CHARLESTON, S.C. – When Zack Steffen arrived with Columbus Crew SC midway through the 2016 MLS season, the starting job in goal at the club was a held position.

With Steve Clark’s departure this offseason, however, the chance for the U.S. U23 international to claim the slot appears there for the taking. After a solid performance in Columbus’ opening game of the 2017 Carolina Challenge Cup, Steffen appears ready to seize his opportunity.

“It was a great experience,” Steffen said following the Crew’s 2-1 win against Atlanta United FC. “Each save always gives you more confidence, and coming out for crosses helps the team. Each time I can touch the ball and help out the team, it just gives me more and more confidence.”

The 21-year-old Steffen’s progression was helped by a loan stint with Crew SC’s USL partner, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, for which he made nine appearances as the club concluded its 2016 regular season. With the Riverhounds going through a tough season in the USL, and the club in the process of getting to know new Head Coach Dave Brandt, Steffen took the opportunity to build his skillset as the team looked to build a new foundation.

“It was definitely a learning experience for me,” Steffen told USLSoccer.com last week. “They went through two coaches last year and were in kind of a transition stage, and are kind of in a transition stage going into this year, but it was just good for me personally to get games and get repetition, and to be pushed. That kind of experience in that environment, I could just come in and lead from the back without knowing the team very well or knowing the players, so all-in-all it was very good.”