Michael Gspurning

Youth at Austria Wien and DSV Leoben

Michael Gspurning was born in Graz and began his career at age 19 after being part of the youth squads of Austria Wien 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 in 2001 and became a regular starter for Leoben and appeared in 62 league matches over 3 seasons.

ASKÖ Pasching

Gspurning joined ASKÖ Pasching in 2004 and was a back-up behind Josef Schicklgruber, in the league with only seven appearances over three seasons. He was unused in the 2004–05 UEFA Cup as Pasching lost on away goals to Zenit St. Petersburg after a 3–3 aggregate score in the second qualifying round. During the 2005–06 UEFA Cup, 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.

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 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

Gspurning joined Major League Soccer club Seattle Sounders on 7 December 2011 as a free agent to become their starting goalkeeper, replacing retired American…

Gspurning made his international debut for the Austria national football team at the age of 27 in a friendly match against Turkey on 19 November 2008, playing 90 minutes in a 4–2 defeat at Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna. Gspurning played his first World Cup qualifier against Romania on 1 April 2009 in a 2–1 victory in Klagenfurt. He played his most recent game against Serbia on 6 June 2009 in a 1–0 loss in Belgrade. Gspurning has not received a call after that since 2009.

Sounder at Heart described Gspurning as "He's big, he's tall, he's nothing else like the man he replaced."

Gspurning is married and lives with his wife, young daughter, and new born son. He speaks German, English, and Greek 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" during his time at Greek club Skoda Xanthi,