Mason Stajduhar Bio
Mason James Stajduhar (born December 2, 1997) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Major League Soccer club Real Salt Lake. Standing 188 cm tall, Stajduhar has spent his entire professional career in Major League Soccer and its developmental leagues since signing with Orlando City in 2015. He is recognized for his shot-stopping ability and his resilience, having returned to the field after a well-documented battle with bone cancer.
Early Life and Background
Mason James Stajduhar was born on December 2, 1997, in Salem, Massachusetts, USA. He grew up in the United States and developed an early interest in soccer, eventually specializing as a goalkeeper. His youth path took him through elite U.S. Soccer Development Academy channels, where his performances with Orlando City’s academy side earned him regional recognition.
In April 2015, while still a teenager, Stajduhar was called up to a United States under-18 training camp held in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where he faced the country’s under-18 side and Herzegovinian club Široki Brijeg. Later that November, Tab Ramos selected him for the United States under-20 squad for the Four Nations Tournament in Germany, where the team played against Germany, Scotland, and Mexico. In January 2016, he joined another under-20 camp in Miami against local competition, signaling his standing within the national-team pipeline.
Path to Professional Soccer
Stajduhar’s path to the professional ranks accelerated when Orlando City announced his signing to a Homegrown contract on November 9, 2015, making him the club’s fourth homegrown player. Before that deal, he had been part of Orlando City’s U.S. Soccer Development Academy Program and was named to the under-18 USSDA East Conference Best XI, an honor that reflected his consistency and ceiling as a young goalkeeper.
Those performances at the academy level gave him a direct route into the professional environment, and his inclusion in multiple U.S. youth national-team camps underlined the league’s confidence in his development. The combination of club form and international exposure positioned him as one of the more closely tracked young American goalkeepers of his draft class.
Mason Stajduhar Career
Early Career (2016–2018)
On April 30, 2016, Stajduhar was loaned to United Soccer League side Louisville City for the 2016 season, although he did not make an appearance for the club. After that initial loan, he returned to Orlando City’s environment, where he was named to the under-18 USSDA East Conference Best XI, an indication that he continued to be regarded as a top prospect. He also spent time with Orlando City B starting in 2017, gaining minutes in the club’s developmental setup.
His progress was interrupted on November 18, 2017, when the club announced that Stajduhar had been diagnosed with localized Ewing sarcoma, a form of bone cancer that doctors had found during a routine exam. He immediately began chemotherapy and continued to train throughout his treatment, completing the regimen and returning to full play with Orlando City on June 20, 2018. The comeback marked a significant personal milestone and reinforced his standing within the organization.
Orlando City Breakthrough (2019–2024)
Stajduhar was loaned to USL Championship side Tulsa Roughnecks on March 15, 2019, for their 2019 season, and he made his professional debut on March 29 in a 2–1 win over Rio Grande Valley FC Toros. He was briefly recalled to Orlando City in June 2019 because of Greg Ranjitsingh’s participation in the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup and an injury to Adam Grinwis, before returning to Tulsa later that summer. In July 2019, he was selected to take part in the MLS Homegrown Game, a showcase event for the league’s top young talent.
After his option was declined at the end of 2019, Stajduhar renegotiated a one-year deal with Orlando ahead of the 2020 season. On December 14, 2020, he signed for New York City FC on loan as an emergency backup goalkeeper during the final stages of the 2020 CONCACAF Champions League, which was held at Orlando’s Exploria Stadium because of COVID-19 protocols. He was an unused substitute behind Luis Barraza as New York City lost 4–0 to Tigres UANL.
Stajduhar finally made his Orlando City senior debut on July 30, 2021, 2,090 days after signing his first senior contract, starting an MLS match against Atlanta United. He recorded one save, conceded a goal to Josef Martínez in the opening 47 seconds, and allowed a long-range strike from Marcelino Moreno, although Orlando rallied for a 3–2 victory. On June 22, 2024, he set a club record for the most saves in a single match with 11 stops in a 4–2 win over Chicago Fire, surpassing Joe Bendik’s mark of 10 saves set in 2016. His season ended abruptly on June 28, 2024, when he broke his right tibia and fibula in a collision with New York City FC player Malachi Jones during a match at Inter&Co Stadium, an injury that required surgery and a placement on the season-ending injury list.
Real Salt Lake Era (2025–Present)
On January 15, 2025, Stajduhar was traded to Real Salt Lake in exchange for $50,000 in General Allocation Money, the club’s natural second-round pick in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft, and up to $150,000 in further General Allocation Money if certain performance-based metrics were met. On June 11, 2025, he started and played a full match for Real Salt Lake’s reserve affiliate Real Monarchs in a 2–1 victory over Tacoma Defiance, marking his first appearance with the broader organization. After the conclusion of the 2025 season, Stajduhar had his contract extended, signaling the club’s continued confidence in his role.
Playing Style and Strengths
Stajduhar is a tall, traditional shot-stopping goalkeeper whose frame allows him to cover a large portion of the goal. He has demonstrated a strong command of his penalty area in one-on-one situations, as shown by his willingness to slide out and challenge attackers, and he has produced double-digit save performances at the MLS level, including his record-setting 11-save game against Chicago Fire in 2024.
Notable Events and Milestones
His career has been defined by several signature moments, including his 2021 MLS debut against Atlanta United, his 2024 club-record 11-save performance against Chicago Fire, and his 2025 trade to Real Salt Lake. Off the field, he completed chemotherapy for Ewing sarcoma in 2018, an achievement that has become a central part of his public story.
Mason Stajduhar Career Highlights
Major League Soccer Highlights
Stajduhar’s verified Major League Soccer appearances center on his Orlando City tenure, where he made his debut on July 30, 2021, against Atlanta United, and set a club record with 11 saves in a 4–2 win over Chicago Fire on June 22, 2024. He has continued his top-flight career with Real Salt Lake after being acquired in January 2025, and his contract was extended following the 2025 season.
Other Performances
Stajduhar made his professional debut on March 29, 2019, with the Tulsa Roughnecks in a 2–1 win over RGV Toros, and he has since appeared for Orlando City B and Real Monarchs in reserve-team competition. He also represented the United States at under-18 and under-20 levels in 2015 and 2016, including the Four Nations Tournament in Germany.
Mason Stajduhar Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Public information about Stajduhar’s parents and siblings is limited. He is married to his wife, Tatiana, and the couple has drawn attention for their community involvement and personal milestones, including Stajduhar’s public acknowledgment of her support throughout his cancer treatment and recovery.
Personal Life
Stajduhar was diagnosed with localized Ewing sarcoma in November 2017 and returned to full play with Orlando City on June 20, 2018, an experience he has described as transformative. On April 28, 2024, he and Tatiana were arrested on disorderly conduct charges in Orlando, an incident that received public attention. He continues to reside in the United States and balances his professional career with his family life.
2025 Season Performance
Mason Stajduhar’s 2025 season began with a trade to Real Salt Lake on January 15, 2025, in a deal that sent General Allocation Money and a future draft pick to Orlando City. His first appearance in the Real Salt Lake system came on June 11, 2025, when he started and played a full match for Real Monarchs in a 2–1 victory over Tacoma Defiance, providing a measured introduction to the organization.
Although first-team minutes were limited, Stajduhar remained part of the senior goalkeeping group, and his professionalism and work rate in reserve matches were noted by the coaching staff. Following the conclusion of the 2025 season, the club extended his contract, a sign that his role within the goalkeeping unit is expected to grow heading into the new campaign.
Looking ahead, Stajduhar is positioned as an experienced depth option behind Real Salt Lake’s established starters, with the chance to push for additional first-team opportunities. His combination of MLS experience, his record-setting 2024 performance, and his history of overcoming major injuries make him a reliable presence in the squad as the club builds toward the next season.