Xavi Gnaulati Explained

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.

Early career

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]

Club career

San Diego Loyal

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]

Monterey Bay

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]

International career

Youth

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]

Career statistics

[23]

ClubDivisionSeasonLeagueCupOtherTotal
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
San Diego Loyal SCUSL Championship2021000000
202200100010
202362200082
Career total62300092

Honours

San Diego Surf

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2014-03-14 . Comeback kids clinch soccer crown . 2022-04-07 . San Diego Union-Tribune .
  2. Web site: ECNL Boys Playoffs: San Diego Surf win U19s Club Soccer Youth Soccer . 2023-07-19 . TopDrawerSoccer.com . en.
  3. Web site: 2021-04-14 . San Diego Loyal sign 4 local players . 2022-04-07 . FOX 5 San Diego . en-US.
  4. Web site: 2021-04-16 . 16-YEAR-OLD SAN DIEGO PLAYER GNAULATI SIGNS WITH SD LOYAL • SoccerToday . 2022-04-07 . SoccerToday . en-US.
  5. Web site: Slane . Bill . 2021-04-15 . The Coast News Group . 2022-04-07 . The Coast News Group . en-US.
  6. Web site: 2021-04-07 . 'Mind-Blowing' Fortune: Loyal Teen Signee Scored Goal vs. MLS Galaxy . 2022-04-07 . Times of San Diego . en-US.
  7. Web site: 2021-07-10 . San Diego Loyal Plays to 1-0 Loss in Friendly with Club Tijuana in Night of Fútbol at USD . 2022-04-07 . OurSports Central . en.
  8. Web site: 2021-07-14 . SD LOYAL SC FOLLOWS UP XOLOS GAME WITH ORANGE COUNTY SC MATCHUP • SoccerToday . 2022-04-07 . SoccerToday . en-US.
  9. Web site: ASC San Diego vs. San Diego Loyal SC - Football Match Line-Ups - April 6, 2022 - ESPN . 2022-04-07 . ESPN.com . en.
  10. Allow us to introduce ourselves... . 1511880233711931392 . 2023-03-06 . SanDiegoLoyal . en.
  11. Web site: SD Loyal Advances to U.S. Open Cup Third Round After 2-0 Win vs. Albion San Diego .
  12. Web site: Loyal's starters hang with German powerhouse in nationally-televised match at Snapdragon Stadium . 28 July 2023 .
  13. Web site: SD Loyal Signs Loyal Select Player Xavi Gnaulati to Professional Contract .
  14. Web site: San Diego Loyal signs Encinitas high schooler Xavi Gnaulati to professional contract . 28 July 2023 .
  15. https://twitter.com/SanDiegoLoyal/status/1689459937804722176
  16. https://www.uslchampionship.com/montereybay-sandiegoloyal-2345967
  17. https://www.montereyherald.com/2023/09/20/pro-soccer-union-suffer-crushing-loss-to-san-diego/
  18. https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1285627
  19. Web site: Monterey Bay F.C. Signs 18-Year-Old Former San Diego Loyal SC Midfielder Xavi Gnaulati . 2023-12-06 . Monterey Bay Football Club USL Championship . en-US.
  20. Web site: Eighty Players Called in for YNT U-14 TID West Region Mini-Camp . 2022-04-07 . www.ussoccer.com . en.
  21. Web site: McHugh . Alana . TWENTY Surf Players Called Up to YNT Camps! . 2022-04-07 . San Diego Surf Soccer Club . 17 May 2021 . en-US.
  22. Web site: YNT Regional ID 2005 - Southern Cal Club Soccer Youth Soccer . 2022-04-07 . TopDrawerSoccer.com . en.
  23. Web site: USA - X. Gnaulati - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway.