Michael Gspurning (; born 2 May 1981) is a retired Austrian
footballer
A football player or footballer is a sportsperson who plays one of the different types of football. The main types of football are association football, American football, Canadian football, Australian rules football, Gaelic football, rugby lea ...
who played as a
goalkeeper
In many team sports that involve scoring goal (sport), goals, the goalkeeper (sometimes termed goaltender, netminder, GK, goalie, or keeper) is a designated player charged with directly preventing the opposing team from scoring by blocking or i ...
.
Born in the city of
Graz
Graz () is the capital of the Austrian Federal states of Austria, federal state of Styria and the List of cities and towns in Austria, second-largest city in Austria, after Vienna. On 1 January 2025, Graz had a population of 306,068 (343,461 inc ...
in southeast Austria, Gspurning has been called up to the
Austria national team 3 times, including 2
World Cup qualifying matches. Gspurning began his career at
Austria Wien
Fußballklub Austria Wien AG (), known in English as Austria Vienna, and Austria Wien in German-speaking countries, is an Austrian professional association football club from the capital city of Vienna. It has won the most trophies of any Aust ...
in the
Austrian Bundesliga
The Bundesliga ( , "Federal League"), also known as Admiral Bundesliga for sponsorship reasons, is a professional association football league in Austria and the highest level of the Austrian football league system. The competition decides the A ...
and moved to
DSV Leoben
DSV Leoben is an Football in Austria, Austrian association football club based in Leoben. It was founded in 1928. The club currently play in Austrian Regionalliga Central, Regionalliga Central, one of the third tiers of Austrian Football. They ...
after not appearing for the senior team. He played for 3 seasons at Leoben in the third-tier
Regionalliga Mitte before moving to
ASKÖ Pasching
ASKÖ Pasching was an Football in Austria, Austrian football (soccer), football club based in Pasching, Upper Austria. The club in its later stages was also known under the sponsorship derived names SV PlusCity Pasching and, from 2003 until its en ...
in the Bundesliga in 2004. He played 7 total games and was a substitute in
UEFA Cup
The asterisk ( ), from Late Latin , from Ancient Greek , , "little star", is a Typography, typographical symbol. It is so called because it resembles a conventional image of a star (heraldry), heraldic star.
Computer scientists and Mathematici ...
matches before moving to
Skoda Xanthi of
Superleague Greece
The Super League Greece 1 (), or Stoiximan Super League for sponsorship reasons, is a professional association football league in Greece and the highest level of the Greek football league system. The league was formed on 16 July 2006 and repl ...
, where he played for 5 seasons. Gspurning was signed by
Seattle Sounders FC
Seattle Sounders FC is an American professional association football, soccer club based in Seattle. The Sounders compete in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Western Conference (MLS), Western Conference. The club was established on ...
of
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer (MLS) is a professional Association football, soccer league in North America and the highest level of the United States soccer league system. It comprises 30 teams, with 27 in the United States and 3 in Canada, and is sanc ...
in December 2011 and was their primary goalkeeper for two seasons, having the third-lowest
GAA of all MLS goalkeepers in his debut season.
Club career
Youth at Austria Wien and DSV Leoben
Michael Gspurning was born in
Graz
Graz () is the capital of the Austrian Federal states of Austria, federal state of Styria and the List of cities and towns in Austria, second-largest city in Austria, after Vienna. On 1 January 2025, Graz had a population of 306,068 (343,461 inc ...
and began his career at age 19 after being part of the youth squads of
Austria Wien
Fußballklub Austria Wien AG (), known in English as Austria Vienna, and Austria Wien in German-speaking countries, is an Austrian professional association football club from the capital city of Vienna. It has won the most trophies of any Aust ...
by being promoted to the senior team in 2000, but did not make an official appearance for the senior team.
He joined third-tier
Regionalliga Mitte club
DSV Leoben
DSV Leoben is an Football in Austria, Austrian association football club based in Leoben. It was founded in 1928. The club currently play in Austrian Regionalliga Central, Regionalliga Central, one of the third tiers of Austrian Football. They ...
in 2001 and became a regular starter for Leoben and appeared in 62 league matches over 3 seasons.
ASKÖ Pasching
Gspurning joined
ASKÖ Pasching
ASKÖ Pasching was an Football in Austria, Austrian football (soccer), football club based in Pasching, Upper Austria. The club in its later stages was also known under the sponsorship derived names SV PlusCity Pasching and, from 2003 until its en ...
in 2004 and was a back-up behind
Josef Schicklgruber, in the league with only 7 appearances over 3 seasons.
He was unused in the
2004–05 UEFA Cup
The asterisk ( ), from Late Latin , from Ancient Greek , , "little star", is a Typography, typographical symbol. It is so called because it resembles a conventional image of a star (heraldry), heraldic star.
Computer scientists and Mathematici ...
as Pasching lost on
away goal
Away may refer to:
Film and television
*Away (2016 film), ''Away'' (2016 film), a British film directed by David Blair
*Away (2019 film), ''Away'' (2019 film), a Latvian animated silent film by Gints Zilbalodis
* Away (2025 film), a drama film by ...
s to
Zenit St. Petersburg after a 3–3
aggregate score
There are a number of formats used in various levels of competition in sports and games to determine an overall champion. Some of the most common are the ''single elimination'', the ''best-of-'' series, the ''total points series'' more commonly kn ...
in the second qualifying round.
During the
2005–06 UEFA Cup
The 2005–06 UEFA Cup, the 35th edition of the UEFA Cup, was won by Sevilla, beating Middlesbrough in the final. It was the first victory for Sevilla in a European competition, and the first appearance by Middlesbrough in a European final. The ...
, Pasching lost on away goals to Zenit after a 3–3 aggregate score for the second consecutive year in the second qualifying round.
Gspurning was on the bench as the club qualified for the first round, but lost 3–0 to
Livorno
Livorno () is a port city on the Ligurian Sea on the western coast of the Tuscany region of Italy. It is the capital of the Province of Livorno, having a population of 152,916 residents as of 2025. It is traditionally known in English as Leghorn ...
.
Skoda Xanthi
Gspurning left Austria and signed with
Skoda Xanthi in 2007, competing with Croatian goalkeeper
Ivan Turina. He made his debut in a 3–0 loss to
Iraklis Thessaloniki on 25 November 2007. Gspurning played four seasons with Skoda Xanthi and appeared in 89 league matches before leaving the club in 2011.
Seattle Sounders FC

Gspurning joined
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer (MLS) is a professional Association football, soccer league in North America and the highest level of the United States soccer league system. It comprises 30 teams, with 27 in the United States and 3 in Canada, and is sanc ...
club
Seattle Sounders FC
Seattle Sounders FC is an American professional association football, soccer club based in Seattle. The Sounders compete in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Western Conference (MLS), Western Conference. The club was established on ...
on 7 December 2011 as a
free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player or manager who is eligible to sign with other clubs or franchises; i.e., not under contract to any specific team. The term is also used in reference to a player who is under a contract at present ...
to become their starting goalkeeper, replacing retired
America
The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
n veteran
Kasey Keller
Kasey C. Keller (born November 29, 1969) is an American former professional association football, soccer player who played in Europe and the United States, and was the starting Goalkeeper (association football), goalkeeper for the United State ...
,
having been targeted since October by General Manager
Adrian Hanauer.
He joined the training camp for his new club in Arizona on 30 January.
Gspurning made his Seattle debut during 2–1 win over
Santos Laguna
Club Santos Laguna S.A. de C.V., simply known as Santos Laguna or Santos, is a Mexican professional football club based in Torreón, Coahuila. The club competes in Liga MX, the top division of Mexican football.
Founded in 1983 as Club Santos I ...
in a
CONCACAF Champions League
The CONCACAF Champions Cup, formerly known as CONCACAF Champions League (2008–2023), is an international association football competition organized by CONCACAF as its top continental tournament for clubs from North America, Central America, ...
quarterfinal fixture on 8 March 2012, having been delayed by an accident causing traffic.
During the return leg on 15 March the Sounders lost 6–1 and were eliminated from the Champions League on a 3–7 aggregate score.
Gspurning made his MLS league debut on 17 March in a 3–1 win over
Toronto
Toronto ( , locally pronounced or ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most populous city in Canada. It is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a p ...
, conceding a strike from
Ryan Johnson that would later win MLS Goal of the Week.
The Sounders won 2–0 over
Houston Dynamo
Houston Dynamo Football Club is an American professional soccer club based in Houston. The club competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Western Conference. Established on December 15, 2005, the club was founded after their fo ...
the following week and gave Gspurning his first MLS career shutout.
Gspurning was substituted at halftime of a May 2 game against the
Los Angeles Galaxy
The Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional Association football, soccer club based in the Greater Los Angeles area. The club competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Western Conference (MLS), Western Conference. The Gal ...
because of an injury to his right hip.
He was replaced by
Bryan Meredith as the Sounders went on to win 2–0.
Gspurning returned on 6 June, after missing 6 MLS games and being replaced by Meredith and
Andrew Weber.
He trained through mid-July to return and started in goal during a 2–1 win over the
Colorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids are an American professional Association football, soccer club based in the Denver metropolitan area. The Rapids compete in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Western Conference (MLS), Western Conference. Founded in ...
on 28 July.
Gspurning earned his first shutout since his injury against the Los Angeles Galaxy in a 4–0 win in August,
lost in the
U.S. Open Cup Final against
Sporting Kansas City
Sporting Kansas City is an American professional Association football, soccer club based in the Kansas City metropolitan area. The club competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Western Conference (MLS), Western Conference. The ad ...
in a penalty shootout, having his save on
Paulo Nagamura re-taken after a 1–1 draw.
Gspurning played 2 matches in the
2012–13 Champions League, winning 3–1 over
Caledonia AIA in
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago, officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, is the southernmost island country in the Caribbean, comprising the main islands of Trinidad and Tobago, along with several List of islands of Trinidad and Tobago, smaller i ...
in late August,
and winning 3–2 over Honduran club
Marathón after earning a yellow card and conceding 4 penalties over the 2 games.
He earned an assist on
Fredy Montero's goal against the
Portland Timbers
The Portland Timbers are an American professional Association football, soccer club based in Portland, Oregon. The Timbers compete in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Western Conference (MLS), Western Conference. The Timbers have p ...
on September 15 off of a punt,
and later started all four
MLS Cup Playoffs games for the Sounders before they were eliminated in the Conference Finals by the LA Galaxy.
Gspurning finished 2012 with 21 regular season games, conceding 15 goals for a 0.73
GAA, the third lowest in MLS history.
In 2013 season, Gspurning continued to be the club's first-choice goalkeeper at the start of the season, making three consecutive clean sheets against Chivas USA, the New England Revolution and the Colorado Rapids. However, on 14 July Gspurning injured his arm in a match against the
San Jose Earthquakes
The San Jose Earthquakes are an American professional association football, soccer club based in San Jose, California. The Earthquakes compete in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Western Conference (MLS), Western Conference. Origin ...
after
Steven Lenhart caught him with a late challenge, and was substituted as Seattle lost 1-0.
After missing three weeks, he made his return to training and stated the collision could have been "avoidable", although he refused to blame Lenhart. After being on the bench against Toronto two days earlier, Gspurning made his return in goal on 17 August, as Seattle lost 3-1 to the Houston Dynamo.
After conceding nine goals in two matches in early October, Gspurning was dropped for two matches in favour of
Marcus Hahnemann
Marcus Stephen Hahnemann (born June 15, 1972) is an American former professional soccer player who played as a goalkeeper.
Graduating out of Seattle Pacific University, he played for the Seattle Sounders between 1994 and 1996. Between 1997 an ...
. In the last game of the season, Gspurning made his return in a 1-1 draw against the Los Angeles Galaxy.
In the
MLS Cup Playoffs, Gspurning featured in the first four matches, until he was sent off late in the
West Conference Knockout round, in a 2-0 win over Colorado Rapids. The club were eliminated from the MLS playoffs in the next round after failing to win either leg, losing 2-1 and 3-2 respectively, against the Portland Timbers. Gspurning was suspended for the first leg of the series, but returned for the second.
At the conclusion of 2013 season, the club declined options to re-sign Gspurning, marking the end of his time with the club.
PAOK
After leaving Seattle Sounders, Gspurning moved back to Greece by joining
PAOK
PAOK (, Πανθεσσαλονίκειος Αθλητικός Όμιλος Κωνσταντινοπολιτών, ''Panthessalonikeios Athlitikós Ómilos Constantinopoliton'', ''Pan-Thessalonian Athletic Club of Constantinopolitans''), commonly ...
on a six-month deal with an option for a two-year extension. However, Gspurning's career in Greece wasn't off with a good start when he was a second choice goalkeeper behind
Panagiotis Glykos and made one appearance in the last game of the season against
Levadiakos, which they lost 3-2. After just one appearance, Gspurning left PAOK when the club decided not extend his contract.
Platanias
On 12 September 2014, Gspurning was the last transfer for the Greek side
Platanias
Platanias (Greek: Πλατανιάς) is a village and municipality on the Greek island of Crete. It is located about west from the city of Chania and east of Kissamos, on Chania Bay. The seat of the municipality is the village Gerani. Platani ...
, playing in the Super League. After the first half of the season, Gspurning left Platanias when the club decided not extend his contract.
FC Schalke & Reserves
On 1 February 2015, goalie Michael Gspurning has another new home. The 33-year-old has signed as an overage player with Schalke 04's U23 team where he's expected to be a mentor. On 1 July 2015, Michael Gspurning signed a one-year professional contract, as a result of his exceptional year with the reserves. ''""Michael Gspurning has given a good account of himself over the past six months, both on the occasions he trained with the first team and with the U23s, where his performances contributed significantly to the team staying in the Regionalliga," '' says Manager
Horst Heldt.
International career
Gspurning made his international debut for the
Austria national football team
The Austria national football team () represents Austria in men's international Association football, football competitions, and is controlled by the Austrian Football Association.
The Austrian Football Association (ÖFB) was founded on 18 Mar ...
at the age of 27 in a
friendly match
An exhibition game (also known as a friendly, scrimmage, demonstration, training match, pre-season game, warmup match, or preparation match, depending at least in part on the sport) is a sport, sporting event whose prize money and impact on th ...
against
Turkey
Turkey, officially the Republic of Türkiye, is a country mainly located in Anatolia in West Asia, with a relatively small part called East Thrace in Southeast Europe. It borders the Black Sea to the north; Georgia (country), Georgia, Armen ...
on 19 November 2008, playing 90 minutes in a 4–2 defeat at
Ernst-Happel-Stadion
Ernst-Happel-Stadion (), known as Praterstadion until 1992, is a association football, football stadium in Leopoldstadt, the 2nd district of Austria's capital Vienna. With 50,865 seats, it is the largest stadium in Austria. It was built between 1 ...
in
Vienna
Vienna ( ; ; ) is the capital city, capital, List of largest cities in Austria, most populous city, and one of Federal states of Austria, nine federal states of Austria. It is Austria's primate city, with just over two million inhabitants. ...
.
Gspurning played his first
World Cup qualifier against
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central Europe, Central, Eastern Europe, Eastern and Southeast Europe. It borders Ukraine to the north and east, Hungary to the west, Serbia to the southwest, Bulgaria to the south, Moldova to ...
on 1 April 2009 in a 2–1 victory in
Klagenfurt.
He played his most recent game against
Serbia
, image_flag = Flag of Serbia.svg
, national_motto =
, image_coat = Coat of arms of Serbia.svg
, national_anthem = ()
, image_map =
, map_caption = Location of Serbia (gree ...
on 6 June 2009 in a 1–0 loss in
Belgrade
Belgrade is the Capital city, capital and List of cities in Serbia, largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers and at the crossroads of the Pannonian Basin, Pannonian Plain and the Balkan Peninsula. T ...
.
Gspurning has not received a call after that since 2009.
Style of play
''Sounder at Heart'' described Gspurning as "He's big, he's tall, he's nothing else like the man he replaced."
Personal life
Gspurning is married and lives with his wife, young daughter, and new born son.
He speaks
German
German(s) may refer to:
* Germany, the country of the Germans and German things
**Germania (Roman era)
* Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language
** For citizenship in Germany, see also Ge ...
,
English, and
Greek
Greek may refer to:
Anything of, from, or related to Greece, a country in Southern Europe:
*Greeks, an ethnic group
*Greek language, a branch of the Indo-European language family
**Proto-Greek language, the assumed last common ancestor of all kno ...
from playing in various leagues.
He was described as easygoing and a "jokester" by back-up goalkeeper
Bryan Meredith and was eager to join the Seattle Sounders.
He earned the nickname "
Cerberus
In Greek mythology, Cerberus ( or ; ''Kérberos'' ), often referred to as the hound of Hades, is a polycephaly, multi-headed dog that guards the gates of the Greek underworld, underworld to prevent the dead from leaving. He was the offspring o ...
" during his time at Greek club
Skoda Xanthi,
Media career
After his contract with PAOK expired in August 2014 and he became a free agent, Gspurning returned to Austria. He almost immediately picked up work as an
expert analyst and pundit for TV channels
Sky Austria and
Servus TV, commentating on the
Austrian Bundesliga
The Bundesliga ( , "Federal League"), also known as Admiral Bundesliga for sponsorship reasons, is a professional association football league in Austria and the highest level of the Austrian football league system. The competition decides the A ...
and the
International Champions Cup
The International Champions Cup (ICC) was an annual club association football (soccer) official competition staged from 2013 to 2019. COVID-19 resulted in the 2020 edition being cancelled. The tournament was later abolished, but the Women's I ...
as well as the
Supercopa de España
The Supercopa de España, also known as the Spanish Super Cup, is a super cup tournament in Football in Spain, Spanish football. Founded in 1982 Supercopa de España, 1982 as a two-team competition, the current version has been contested since 2 ...
respectively.
Career statistics
Club
International
International appearances
References
External links
*
Seattle Sounders FC bio*
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gspurning, Michael
1981 births
Living people
Footballers from Graz
Men's association football goalkeepers
Austrian men's footballers
Austria men's international footballers
Austrian expatriate men's footballers
FK Austria Wien players
Xanthi F.C. players
Seattle Sounders FC players
PAOK FC players
FC Schalke 04 II players
1. FC Union Berlin players
Expatriate men's footballers in Greece
Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States
Expatriate men's footballers in Germany
Super League Greece players
Major League Soccer players
1. FC Union Berlin non-playing staff
Association football goalkeeping coaches