One of the big questions heading into the Austin FC offseason concerned starting goalkeeper Brad Stuver and the club's commitment to him. Austin FC answered that emphatically with Monday's announcement of Stuver's new contract.
According to the club, Stuver, who turns 32 in April, signed a multi-year deal that will keep him in Verde through 2025 — three guaranteed years — with an option for the 2026 season.
“From the moment I stepped foot in Austin, I felt right at home with the team, community, and fans and I am looking forward to continuing my journey here,” said Stuver by way of press release. “I’m excited to come back next year and keep making history with my team and this city.”
“Brad is an amazing asset to this team and community, and we are happy to have him with us for the next several years,“ added Sporting Director Claudio Reyna.
Stuver emerged as the opening day starter in 2021 after competing with presumed starter Andrew Tarbell in that inaugural preseason, and in 2022, started 34 matches (including three playoff games) to further lock down the starting spot. While Tarbell did spell him following a knee injury Stuver suffered in an April match at Houston, Stuver returned several matches later for the first of two key regular-season showdowns with LAFC.
According to the release, "Stuver made 100 saves and saved 4 out of 12 penalty kicks faced between the regular season and playoffs, including two saves in a shootout to help Austin defeat Real Salt Lake in the Club’s first-ever MLS Cup Playoffs match. He tied for eighth in MLS in total saves, and second in the league in successful clearances with 33."
In addition to being a stellar keeper and a fan favorite, Stuver has earned kudos for his humanitarian work. The release notes that earlier this year, Stuver "became the first-ever MLS player to be named a nominee for the ESPN Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award at the ESPYs."
Stuver was also a finalist for MLS Works Humanitarian of the Year in both his years with Austin FC, working with Current Initiatives’ The Laundry Project, an organization running events to provide free laundry services and materials to low-income families. Stuver also recently participated in a fundraiser and awareness-raising event for Bobby Jones Chiari & Syringomyelia Foundation.
With Andrew Tarbell out of contract, it appears that Austin FC might be building around Stuver and Damian Las in goal, though Austin FC still has roster spots and time to sort out the goalkeeping situation. Though financial terms of the contract were not disclosed, Stuver has a base salary of $175,000 and guaranteed compensation of $185,000 in 2022, according to the MLS Players Association Salary Guide.
