Brad Stuver Bio
Bradley Stuver is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Major League Soccer club Austin FC. Born on April 16, 1991, in Mayfield, Ohio, he has built a steady professional career across several American clubs since first entering the game in 2010. Stuver is widely recognized for his shot-stopping, leadership in the penalty area, and his standing as one of the most dependable keepers in Major League Soccer.
Early Life and Background
Bradley Stuver was raised in Mayfield, Ohio, and attended Twinsburg High School in Twinsburg, Ohio, where he developed his early love for the game. He played soccer all four years for the Tigers, appearing both as a goalkeeper and as a midfielder, a rare versatility that highlighted his athletic instincts from a young age. As a senior, he was named to the 2008 Plain Dealer All-State team and was selected First Team All-Ohio by the OSSCA. He finished his high school career with 24 shutouts, while also scoring 12 goals and adding three assists as a midfielder.
After high school, Stuver played college soccer for the Cleveland State University Vikings. His freshman year overlapped with the senior season of Josh Williams, a future teammate at Columbus Crew SC, and he progressed from backup to starting goalkeeper by the end of the campaign. Stuver made his collegiate debut on September 5, 2009, against Santa Clara, making four saves in a 3–2 defeat at the UC Irvine College Classic. He finished his freshman year with a .817 save percentage, including 10 saves in a scoreless draw at Milwaukee.
Path to Major League Soccer
Following his sophomore year at Cleveland State, Stuver joined Cleveland Internationals of the USL PDL for the 2010 season, making nine appearances for the club before it folded at year’s end. In 2011, he signed with another expansion USL PDL side, the Akron Summit Assault, starting half of the team’s games during the franchise’s only season of operation.
As a junior, Stuver became the unquestioned starter at Cleveland State, starting 18 matches and earning All-Horizon League Second Team honors, then capped his senior year by starting all 20 games and leading the Vikings to a Horizon League Tournament title and the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance. His standout college career led to an invitation to the 2013 MLS Combine, where he was the only Horizon League player selected and one of only seven collegiate goalkeepers invited. On January 17, 2013, he was selected in the second round, 32nd overall, of the 2013 MLS SuperDraft by the Montreal Impact, becoming the first goalkeeper chosen in that draft.
Brad Stuver Career
Early Career (2013)
Although Montreal did not sign Stuver, Major League Soccer signed him as a pool goalkeeper for the 2013 season, allowing him to be called up by any club in case of emergency. He spent most of the year training with Columbus Crew, but he made his first MLS gameday roster appearance with Chivas USA on May 12, sitting behind Patrick McLain in a 3–0 loss to Portland Timbers. Later that season, he served as a backup for New England Revolution and Columbus Crew, and also trained with Real Salt Lake.
On December 1, 2017, after his time in Columbus, Crew SC declined Stuver’s contract option, ending his four-year tenure with the club. In official competition, he had made seven appearances for Crew SC, appearing just twice in league play. He also began coaching the goalkeepers for the Ohio Wesleyan Battling Bishops men’s soccer program in 2015.
Columbus Crew SC Era (2014–2017)
Stuver was selected by Columbus Crew in the 2013 MLS Waiver Draft with the fourth overall pick and was later sent on loan to USL Pro affiliate Dayton Dutch Lions in 2014. He made his league debut on May 25, 2014, against Sacramento Republic FC, then was recalled in June for arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle. After recovering, he was loaned to Wilmington Hammerheads FC, where he picked up his first win on August 23, 2014, a 2–1 victory over Orange County Blues. He started 10 regular-season games with Wilmington, keeping three shutouts and helping the club reach the USL Pro playoffs as the seventh seed.
Back in Columbus, Stuver was promoted to the backup role for the 2015 season, making his Crew SC debut in a friendly against Valencia CF on May 27, 2015, conceding to Álvaro Negredo in a 1–0 loss. He started both U.S. Open Cup matches that year. In 2016, after Steve Clark was injured, Stuver made his MLS regular-season debut against the New York Red Bulls on October 16, saving an early penalty from Sacha Kljestan before giving up a brace to Bradley Wright-Phillips in a 3–2 defeat. He started the season finale at New York City FC on October 23, making two saves in a 4–1 loss. He was passed for the starting job by Zack Steffen to begin 2017 and finished the year with one official appearance.
New York City FC Era (2018–2020)
On December 14, 2017, Stuver was traded from Columbus to New York City FC in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft. He spent three seasons with the club, gaining valuable experience in one of MLS’s most demanding markets.
Austin FC Era (2021–Present)
On December 28, 2020, Stuver was acquired by Austin FC as a free agent. He quickly made his mark, recording a career-high nine saves in Austin’s match against Sporting Kansas City on June 12, 2021, and was named Defensive Player of the Year by the club. In 2022, he was nominated for the 2022 ESPY Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award and was recognized by the 4ATX Foundation as a Legend of the Year for his work with the Laundry Project. In Austin’s first-ever playoff game, he saved two of three Real Salt Lake penalties in a 3–1 shootout victory after a 2–2 draw.
Driving Style and Strengths
Stuver is known for his shot-stopping ability, calmness in big moments, and aerial command of his penalty area. His strength on penalty kicks was on full display in Austin FC’s first playoff match, while his career-high nine-save performance against Sporting Kansas City highlighted his resilience and shot-blocking craft.
Notable Events and Milestones
Stuver’s career is bookended by landmark moments: being the first goalkeeper chosen in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft, his MLS debut against the New York Red Bulls in 2016, and his role in delivering Austin FC their first playoff win via penalty shootout in 2022. He was selected for the 2025 MLS All-Star Game during the 2025 season.
Brad Stuver Career Wins
Bradley Stuver’s career has featured notable victories across multiple levels of American soccer, including professional wins in the USL PDL, USL Pro, and Major League Soccer. While he is widely recognized as a goalkeeper, his win totals at the MLS level are anchored by his steady presence with Austin FC.
Austin FC Highlights
Since joining Austin FC, Stuver has been the club’s primary goalkeeper, earning Defensive Player of the Year honors in his first full season. His standout win came in Austin’s first-ever playoff match, where he saved two penalties to seal a 3–1 shootout victory over Real Salt Lake.
Other Wins and Performances
In 2014, Stuver earned his first professional win with Wilmington Hammerheads FC, helping the club reach the USL Pro playoffs. His playoff shootout heroics for Austin FC stand as the defining match-winning performance of his MLS career to date.
Brad Stuver Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Bradley Stuver grew up in Mayfield, Ohio, where he developed his early passion for soccer through local youth programs. His formative years in the greater Cleveland area laid the foundation for both his high school and collegiate careers.
Personal Life
Stuver maintains an active presence on social media and is well known in Austin for his community involvement, including his ongoing work with the Laundry Project, which earned him recognition as a Legend of the Year by the 4ATX Foundation.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 Major League Soccer season marks another milestone year for Bradley Stuver, as he was selected for the 2025 MLS All-Star Game, a reflection of his consistent form for Austin FC. He continues to serve as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper, providing leadership in the penalty area and shot-stopping reliability that has defined his time in Austin.
With Austin FC pushing deeper into the Western Conference playoff picture, Stuver’s experience from the club’s first-ever postseason match in 2022 has proven invaluable to the team’s growing ambitions. His vocal presence in the locker room and community work off the field have helped establish him as one of the franchise’s most influential players.
Heading into the closing stretch of the 2025 season, Stuver and Austin FC remain focused on translating regular-season consistency into a deeper playoff run. With his All-Star selection already secured, the veteran goalkeeper is positioned to play a central role in whatever postseason opportunity Austin earns.