American goalkeeper Zack Steffen has missed four straight games for Middlesbrough, casting questions on his availability for the last two World Cup warm-up games.
Due to a knee injury, the 27-year-old hasn't played since Middlesbrough's fifth game of the season on August 20. Luke Daniels was on the bench against Cardiff on Tuesday night as Liam Roberts, who joined Middlesbrough this season from fourth-tier Northampton, began in his place once more.
The 13th-ranked Americans' final two World Cup qualifying games are against No. 23 Japan on September 23 in Dusseldorf, Germany, and No. 53 Saudi Arabia four days later in Murcia, Spain. On Wednesday, American head coach Gregg Berhalter intends to reveal his lineup for the exhibition games.
To get playing time before the World Cup, Steffen left Manchester City of the Premier League on loan to lower-division Middlesbrough. He participated in just nine games for Manchester City last season, serving as Ederson's backup, including one Premier League game and four each in the FA Cup, League Cup, Champions League, and Community Shield.
Steffen, a native of Coatesville, Pennsylvania, is vying for a spot on the U.S. World Cup squad against Sean Johnson of New York City, Arsenal's Matt Turner, who serves as Aaron Ramsdale's backup, Ethan Horvath, who spent this season on loan at second-tier Luton from Nottingham Forest, and Matt Turner, who plays for Arsenal.
On November 9, Berhalter intends to release his 26-man World Cup roster.
The United States begins the World Cup in Qatar on November 21 against 20th-ranked Wales, follows it up with a Black Friday match against No. 5 England, and concludes group play on November 29 against 21st-ranked Iran.
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