Mason Stajduhar Bio
Mason James Stajduhar (born December 2, 1997) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper. He is currently on loan at USL Championship club Las Vegas Lights from Major League Soccer club Real Salt Lake. Stajduhar began his professional career in 2016 with Orlando City and has since moved between several clubs on loan while continuing to develop his craft. Beyond his work between the posts, he is widely recognized for the resilience he showed in returning to the field after a serious health battle.
Early Life and Background
Mason James Stajduhar was born on December 2, 1997, in Salem, Massachusetts, in the United States. Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall, he developed into a tall, athletic goalkeeper suited to the demands of the modern professional game. He grew up playing youth soccer in the United States and joined the development pathway of Orlando City, a club that had already been nurturing young American talent in its academy system.
During his time in the Orlando City youth setup, Stajduhar featured for the club’s U.S. Soccer Development Academy Program between 2013 and 2015. His performances at that level were strong enough to earn him a place on the under-18 USSDA East Conference Best XI, signaling that he was regarded as one of the top young goalkeepers in his region. Those years in the academy shaped his tactical understanding, shot-stopping technique, and comfort with the ball at his feet.
Path to Soccer
Stajduhar’s route into the professional ranks began on November 9, 2015, when Orlando City announced that he had signed a Homegrown contract with the club, becoming its fourth homegrown player. The move rewarded years of steady progress in the academy and gave him a clear path toward the first team. International recognition followed soon after, with Stajduhar receiving call-ups to United States youth teams.
On April 22, 2015, he was invited to a U-18 training camp held in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where he featured in matches against the host country’s under-18 side and a game against Herzegovinian club Široki Brijeg. Later that November, U.S. U-20 coach Tab Ramos called Stajduhar into the squad for the Four Nations Tournament in Germany, where the team faced Germany, Scotland, and Mexico. In January 2016, he joined another U-20 camp in Miami, further cementing his reputation as a promising American goalkeeper.
Mason Stajduhar Career
Early Career (2016–2018)
Stajduhar’s first taste of senior soccer came on April 30, 2016, when Orlando City sent him on loan to USL side Louisville City, although he did not make an appearance during that spell. He also represented Orlando City B in the club’s developmental setup, continuing to train with the first team while gaining minutes in reserve competition. That same year, the goalkeeper’s career was put on hold when, on November 18, 2017, the club announced that he had been diagnosed with localized Ewing sarcoma, a form of bone cancer, discovered during a routine team medical exam.
Stajduhar began chemotherapy and continued to train whenever his health allowed throughout the treatment. His determination paid off when he completed chemotherapy and returned to full training with Orlando City on June 20, 2018. The recovery became one of the defining early stories of his career, illustrating the mental strength that has come to characterize his approach to the game.
Orlando City Breakthrough (2019–2024)
On March 15, 2019, Stajduhar was loaned to USL Championship side Tulsa Roughnecks for the 2019 season. He made his professional debut on March 29 in a 2–1 win over RGV Toros and later that year was selected to take part in the MLS Homegrown Game. After having his contract option declined at the end of that season, he negotiated a new one-year deal with Orlando ahead of 2020. Later that year, on December 14, 2020, he joined New York City FC on loan as an emergency backup goalkeeper for the final stages of the 2020 CONCACAF Champions League held in Orlando, though he was an unused substitute in a 4–0 loss to Tigres UANL.
On July 30, 2021, 2,090 days after signing his first senior contract, Stajduhar finally made his Orlando City debut, starting in an MLS match against Atlanta United. He recorded one save and conceded twice, including a long-range goal from Marcelino Moreno, but the occasion marked the realization of a long-held ambition. On June 22, 2024, he set a club record for saves in a single match with 11 stops against Chicago Fire in a 4–2 victory, surpassing Joe Bendik’s previous mark of 10.
Just six days later, on June 28, 2024, Stajduhar suffered a broken right tibia and fibula during a match against New York City FC after colliding with Malachi Jones, who suffered the same injuries. The resulting surgery ended his season and placed him on the season-ending injury list, but the episode only added to his reputation for perseverance.
Real Salt Lake Era (2025–Present)
On January 15, 2025, Orlando City traded Stajduhar to Real Salt Lake in exchange for $50,000 in General Allocation Money, a natural second-round pick in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft, and up to $150,000 in further GAM if performance-based metrics were met. He made his first appearance for the club’s reserve affiliate Real Monarchs on June 11, helping the team to a 2–1 victory over Tacoma Defiance. After the 2025 season, the club extended his contract, signaling confidence in his long-term value to the organization.
On May 12, 2026, Stajduhar was sent on loan to USL Championship club Las Vegas Lights for the remainder of their 2026 season to secure regular playing time. The move reflects Real Salt Lake’s continued investment in his development while allowing him to maintain match sharpness in a competitive environment.
Driving Style and Strengths
Stajduhar is recognized for his shot-stopping ability, command of the penalty area, and willingness to come off his line to challenge attackers, as demonstrated in the moments leading up to his 2024 leg injury. His height of 6 feet 2 inches gives him a strong physical presence in the air, while his comfort with the ball at his feet aligns with the modern demands placed on MLS goalkeepers. He combines technical calm with the mental toughness that comes from overcoming serious illness and injury.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the signature moments of his career are his 2017 Ewing sarcoma diagnosis and 2018 return, his 2021 Orlando City MLS debut, and his club-record 11-save performance against Chicago Fire in June 2024. His 2025 trade to Real Salt Lake and subsequent loan to Las Vegas Lights in 2026 further mark him as a goalkeeper whose career has been shaped as much by perseverance as by on-field performance.
Mason Stajduhar Career Wins
While detailed win totals across competitions are not fully verifiable from available sources, Stajduhar has collected notable team and individual milestones throughout his professional career. His professional debut win came with Tulsa Roughnecks in March 2019, and he has contributed to several league victories with Orlando City, Real Monarchs, and Real Salt Lake. The achievements that stand out most clearly are his record-setting performance against Chicago Fire and his long-awaited MLS debut victory over Atlanta United.
Orlando City Highlights
Stajduhar spent the bulk of his early senior career attached to Orlando City, whether with the senior squad, Orlando City B, or on loan. His most celebrated Orlando moment was the 2021 MLS debut against Atlanta United, a 3–2 victory in which he recorded a save despite conceding twice. He later set a club record with 11 saves against Chicago Fire in 2024, a mark that surpassed the previous standard set by Joe Bendik in 2016.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond Orlando, Stajduhar’s first professional win came on loan at Tulsa Roughnecks against RGV Toros in 2019, and he later helped Real Monarchs to a 2–1 victory over Tacoma Defiance in 2025. Each of these results underscored his value as a reliable goalkeeper capable of stepping into different environments and contributing to team success.
Mason Stajduhar Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Publicly available information on Stajduhar’s immediate family is limited, with no confirmed details about his parents available from verified sources. His rise through the Orlando City academy suggests that family support played a role in his development, even if specific names and backgrounds have not been widely published.
Personal Life
Stajduhar is married to his wife, Tatiana. The couple’s life outside of soccer drew attention on April 28, 2024, when they were arrested on disorderly conduct charges at a downtown Orlando nightclub, an incident both later addressed publicly. Throughout his well-documented health challenges, including his battle with bone cancer and his recovery from a broken tibia and fibula, Stajduhar has credited the support of those around him as a key factor in his return to professional soccer.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a new chapter for Stajduhar following his January trade to Real Salt Lake, where he joined a goalkeeping group aiming to compete consistently in Major League Soccer. He integrated with the organization through appearances for Real Monarchs, the club’s reserve side, including a 2–1 win over Tacoma Defiance on June 11. His performances throughout the year helped him earn a contract extension at the end of the 2025 campaign.
Stajduhar’s year was defined less by headline statistics than by steady adaptation to a new environment, with the club investing in him as a long-term option between the posts. The trade package Orlando City received in the deal reflected Real Salt Lake’s belief in his upside, while the subsequent loan to Las Vegas Lights in 2026 indicated a plan to give him regular minutes.
Looking ahead, Stajduhar’s trajectory suggests he will continue to develop as a backup or rotational option for Real Salt Lake while gaining valuable senior experience in the USL Championship. His track record of returning from cancer and a serious leg fracture gives him a strong platform to build on as he works toward an expanded role at the MLS level.