With roughly eight months until the 2026 World Cup begins, Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Zack Steffen may be slipping out of contention for the U.S. Men’s National Team’s starting job.

The notion was solidified by Mauricio Pochettino’s omission of the 30-year-old from the October camp roster and international friendlies on Thursday. One friendly is scheduled against Australia at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, where Steffen and the Rapids play home games, on Oct. 14.

Instead, the four goalkeepers called up were longtime No. 1 Matt Turner, breakout star Matt Freese, up-and-comer Patrick Schulte and uncapped Chris Brady. All four hail from within the MLS, a growing trend within the entire USMNT player pool since Pochettino’s appointment.

At this stage, camp rosters will increasingly mirror what

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