COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The Columbus Crew’s starting goalkeeper will be part of the 23-man USA roster for next week’s CONCACAF Nations League finals.
U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino has chosen Patrick Schulte as one of three goalkeepers he will take to the March 20 semifinal against Panama at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. The winner of the 7 p.m. contest will compete in the CONCACAF Nations League final, which will be played on March 23 in LA against Canada or Mexico.
The USMNT has won all three previous iterations of the Nations League, which was introduced in 2019-20.
Schulte, who has played three caps for the senior team, will be joined by former Columbus Crew keeper Zack Steffen, currently playing for the Colorado Rapids, and Matt Turner of English Premier League side Crystal Palace. Turner was picked by Pochettino as the starter in the last two competitive games.
All three will be in contention to be the starting goalkeeper for next year’s FIFA World Cup squad. The U.S. will play two of its 2026 group games at SoFi Stadium, including its first fixture on June 12, 2026 in Group D.
USMNT CONCACAF NATIONS LEAGUE ROSTER
Since beginning his professional career in 2022, all Schulte has done is win. He became the Columbus starter in 2023 and helped the Crew win MLS Cup with two shutouts in the MLS Cup Playoffs. As a 22-year-old at the time, Schulte became the youngest goalie to start and win an MLS Cup title.
Schulte returned in 2024 and started each regular season game, recording ten clean sheets and being considered among the best goalkeepers in the league. He also was key to the Crew’s run to the Leagues Cup title and the CONCACAF Champions Cup final. Schulte earned CONCACAF’s goalkeeper of the Champions Cup award in 2024.
His play earned him the starting job for the United States team at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where the Americans reached the quarterfinals. Schulte signed a contract extension with the Crew before the 2025 season began.
The Black & Gold are set to play Los Angeles FC on Tuesday night in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup. They trail 3-0 on aggregate. Schulte will then look to extend his MLS shutout streak to three when the Crew play at San Diego FC on Saturday at 10:30 p.m. before joining the USA squad.
