Real Salt Lake v Austin FC: Stuver extends contract ahead of playoff push

Austin FC goalkeeper Brad Stuver felt privileged after he extended his contract with the club.

Stuver signed a new two-year deal through to the end of the 2027 season, with an option for the 2028 campaign.

Since Stuver joined Austin in 2021, no goalkeeper has made more saves in MLS than the 34-year-old (619), while he has also stopped the fourth-most penalties in that time (five) and 10th-most shots.

Stuver will be hoping to celebrate his contract extension with a win against playoff-chasing Real Salt Lake, while Austin look to cement their spot in the post-season.

“For me, Austin has become like home,” Stuver told the club website.

“The way that this community has embraced me since the very start has been nothing short of incredible.

“It has been a privilege to represent the club on and off the pitch and I’m grateful for all of the experiences I’ve had in the last five years here, while looking forward to many more.”

Austin sporting director Rodolfo Borrell added: “Brad has been an important part of Austin FC throughout his time at the club.

“His consistency on the pitch and positive influence in both the locker room and the community are admirable, and we are delighted to have him sign a new contract.”

RSL, who have won just once in their last six games, are looking to bounce back from back-to-back 4-1 defeats against Los Angeles FC.

They are just three points off the play-in places in the Western Conference, and have played a game fewer than the two teams above them.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Real Salt Lake – Brayan Vera

Brayan Vera scored his sixth career MLS goal last time out, with five of those having come from outside the box.

Since the beginning of 2023, Vera’s five league goals from outside the box are two more than any other MLS defender.

Austin FC – Brad Stuver

Stuver recorded five saves in his last match against the Seattle Sounders to bring his season total to 109 saves, the second most in MLS this season (Kristijan Kahlina – 112).

Stuver is trying to become the first goalkeeper in MLS history to lead the league in saves in three consecutive seasons.

MATCH PREDICTION – REAL SALT LAKE WIN

RSL are unbeaten in their last four matches (W2 D2) against Austin, with both teams scoring in each of those four matches. Both teams have secured just one clean sheet in the 10 all-time meetings across all competitions.

However, RSL have lost six of their last eight matches, bringing their total to 16 league losses in 2025. It’s the second-most league defeats in club history after recording 22 in their inaugural season of 2004.

Austin picked up their 12th regular-season win of 2025 with their victory over Seattle, their most in a single season since posting a club-best 16 wins in 2022. The Verde have six road MLS wins this season, which is one shy of the team’s total road wins across the previous two seasons (seven).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Real Salt Lake – 42.9%

Draw – 26.7%

Austin FC – 30.4%