| Xavi Gnaulati | |
| Fullname: | Xavi Milad Gnaulati |
| Birth Date: | 22 January 2005 |
| Height: | 1.70 m |
| Currentclub: | Monterey Bay |
| Clubnumber: | 99 |
| Position: | Central midfielder |
| Youthyears1: | 2010–2023 |
| Youthclubs1: | San Diego Surf |
| Years1: | 2021–2023 |
| Clubs1: | San Diego Loyal |
| Caps1: | 6 |
| Goals1: | 2 |
| Years2: | 2024– |
| Clubs2: | Monterey Bay |
| Caps2: | 0 |
| Goals2: | 0 |
| Club-Update: | October 23, 2023 |
Xavi Milad Gnaulati (born January 22, 2005) is an American soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Monterey Bay FC.
Xavi Gnaulati was born and raised in San Diego County, California, playing youth soccer for San Diego Surf and winning the State Cup Championship with them in 2014.[1] On July 1, 2023, Gnaulati scored in the final to help Surf win the ECNL National Championship.[2]
In April 2021, Gnaulati joined San Diego Loyal in the USL Championship and their inaugural USL Academy team, Loyal Select.[3] [4] [5] He first played for the club in a training match against MLS side LA Galaxy in March 2021 and made his public debut as a substitute in a friendly match against Liga MX side Club Tijuana on July 10.[6] [7] [8]
Gnaulati made his professional debut for San Diego Loyal on April 6, 2022, during the 2022 season, at the age of 17 under manager Landon Donovan in the Loyal's inaugural U.S. Open Cup match against NISA side Albion San Diego, starting the match and playing 79 minutes before being substituted for Alejandro Guido in a 2–1 win.[9] [10]
Gnaulati made his first appearance of the 2023 season in his following competitive match for the club, winning a penalty as well as providing a secondary assist for a 2–0 win during their 2023 U.S. Open Cup opener against Albion San Diego on April 5, 2023.[11] Following a substitute appearance in a friendly match against German Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund on July 27, Gnaulati signed his first professional contract with San Diego Loyal the following day on July 28.[12] [13] [14]
Gnaulati was given his USL Championship debut on August 9, 2023, at the age of 18 against Loudoun United at Torero Stadium during the 2023 season.[15]
Gnaulati scored his first professional goal on September 20, scoring a brace in the 90th and 90+3rd minute of a league game in a 3–2 comeback win against Monterey Bay FC at Cardinale Stadium.[16] [17] He was subsequently named in the Team of the Week for his performance.[18]
Gnaulati became a free agent following the folding of San Diego Loyal after the 2023 USL Championship season. He joined Monterey Bay FC on December 6, 2023, on a one-year contract, with an option for a second year, ahead of the 2024 USL Championship season.[19]
In January 2019, Gnaulati was called up for the United States under-14 camp in Carson, California.[20] He was called up again for a United States youth team camp in May 2021.[21] [22]
| Club | Division | Season | League | Cup | Other | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||||
| San Diego Loyal SC | USL Championship | 2021 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |||
| 2023 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2 | |||
| Career total | 6 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 2 | |||
San Diego Surf