Manchester City goalkeeper Zack Steffen admits his USA World Cup snub still burns.

Steffen is currently on-loan with Middlesbrough.

"It was really tough," Steffen told ESPN. "But I wanted to support the boys because the brotherhood we have is so special and that's something you don't really let anything get in the way of.

"It was tough to watch it with family and friends and not be there but that's football and that's life and everything happens for a reason."

Steffen admits he hasn't spoken to former USA coach Greg Berhalter since the phone call saying he was not going to the World Cup.

"I haven't spoken to Greg since that phone call that said you weren't going to come. I thought things were different and we were closer but it's not that way whatever."