Brad Stuver

Bradley 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 made significant contributions in various clubs throughout his career. Starting his journey in the youth setup of Cleveland Force and later the Cleveland State Vikings, Stuver entered the professional arena in 2010 and has since established himself in Major League Soccer. Recognized for his performance, he has accumulated various accolades and continues to influence the game on the field.

Early Life and Background

Born in Mayfield, Ohio, Bradley Stuver attended Twinsburg High School in Twinsburg, Ohio. He played soccer all four years for the Tigers, appearing as a goalkeeper and midfielder. As a senior, he was named to the 2008 Plain Dealer All-State team and was recognized as First Team All-Ohio by the Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association. Stuver finished his prep career having kept 24 shutouts while tallying 12 goals and three assists from the midfield. Stuver played college soccer for the Vikings of Cleveland State University. His freshman season overlapped with the senior season of Josh Williams, who Stuver would later be teammates with at Columbus Crew SC. He started the season as the backup keeper behind Nick Harpel but became the number one goalkeeper by the end of the season. He 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. Stuver finished the season with four clean sheets in 14 appearances, starting 10 matches. His .817 save percentage led the team, and the 10 saves he tallied in a 0–0 double overtime draw at Milwaukee were tied for the most in the league in a single game.

Path to Soccer

Stuver took over the starting job full-time as a sophomore, starting 19 of 20 games in 2010. He kept three shutouts, including holding No. 6 Butler to a 0–0 draw on November 5. Stuver was named the Horizon League Goalkeeper of the Year and was selected for the All-Horizon League First Team. He also earned three Horizon League Player of the Week nods, the most of any player in the conference. Continuing as the unquestioned starting goalkeeper his junior season, he started 18 games and kept five clean sheets in 2011. His performance earned him recognition as Horizon League Player of the Week. As a senior in 2012, Stuver started all 20 games and was the only Vikings goalkeeper to play that season. He kept nine shutouts in 20 games while making 81 saves. He capped his collegiate career with a Horizon League Tournament title and a first appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

Bradley Stuver Career

Early Career (2010–2013)

After his sophomore season at Cleveland State, Stuver joined Cleveland Internationals in the USL Premier Development League for the 2010 PDL season. The Internationals struggled to a last-place finish in the Great Lakes Division, finishing 2–2–12. At the end of the season, the Internationals folded after seven years of operation. Although Stuver split time with Anthony Ponikvar, he finished the season with nine appearances for Cleveland. For a second consecutive offseason, Stuver appeared for a USL PDL club, signing on to expansion club Akron Summit Assault for the 2011 PDL season. Stuver started exactly half of the club’s games, finishing the season having made eight appearances for Akron in the franchise’s lone season. After his senior season of college, Stuver was invited to the 2013 MLS Combine, where he was the only Horizon League player selected. On January 17, 2013, Stuver was drafted in the second round (32nd overall) of the 2013 MLS SuperDraft by Montreal Impact, becoming the first goalkeeper chosen in the draft.

Breakthrough (2014–2020)

Stuver was selected by Columbus Crew SC in the 2013 MLS Waiver Draft. He was chosen with the fourth overall pick. Stuver spent the entirety of the 2014 season on loan in USL Pro, with Dayton Dutch Lions and Wilmington Hammerheads FC. He was promoted to the backup role for Columbus Crew SC to begin the 2015 season. Stuver made his debut for Crew SC in a friendly against Valencia CF on May 27, conceding a goal to Álvaro Negredo. In 2016, Stuver again made his season debut in an international friendly and started both U.S. Open Cup matches. After starting keeper Steve Clark went down injured at the end of the season, Stuver made his MLS debut against the New York Red Bulls on October 16, 2016. He saved an early penalty kick but gave up two goals in a 3–2 defeat. On December 1, 2017, Crew SC declined Stuver’s contract option, ending his four-year tenure with the club. On December 14, 2017, Stuver was traded by Columbus to New York City FC.

Notable Works and Milestones

Stuver was acquired by Austin FC as a free agent on December 28, 2020. He made 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 recognized for his community support and activism, being nominated for the 2022 ESPY Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award. Stuver was also recognized by 4ATX Foundation as a Legend of the Year for his work with the Laundry Project. In Austin’s first-ever playoff game, Stuver saved two out of three unsuccessful Real Salt Lake penalties in a 3–1 shootout win.