ATLANTA — Columbus Crew SC goalkeeperZack Steffen closed out the final 45 minutes between the pipes for the Major League Soccer All-Stars as the hosts fell to seven-time Serie A champion Juventus FC 1-1 (5-3 - PKs) in the MLS All-Star Game on Wednesday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of Atlanta United FC, in front of a record-breaking crowd of 72,317.
In the first half, Juventus' Andrea Favilli opened the game's scoring in the 21st minute with a header in the box from Matheus Pereira.
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The All-Stars responded, however, just five minutes later after a wild, side-to-side exchange finally saw the ball headed into the net by Atlanta FC striker Josef Martinez.
Steffen, a first-time All-Star, subbed in for hometown starter Brad Guzan before the start of the second half.
HERE. WE. GO. 💪@zackstef_23 enters the #MLSAllStar Game! 🧤 #CrewSCpic.twitter.com/MBuCDm2IQJ
— Columbus Crew SC (@ColumbusCrewSC) August 2, 2018
The Crew SC goalkeeper logged two saves, including a punch-save in the 60th minute on a hard-hit shot from Daniele Rugani .
The 1-1 scoreline remained through regulation, as both sides went straight to penalties. Despite a pair of close save attempts, a miss from the New York Red Bulls' Bradley Wright-Phillips ultimately did in the All-Stars, as Juventus posted a 5-for-5 showing from the spot to take the exhibition victory.
Steffen and Crew SC resume regular-season play against the Houston Dynamo at MAPFRE Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 11 at 7:30 p.m. ET as part of Columbus Zoo Night.