December 6, 2023 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Monterey Bay FC News Release
SEASIDE, California – Monterey Bay F.C. announced today that the club has agreed to terms with midfielder Xavi Gnaulati on a one-year contract with an option for 2025, pending league and federation approval. An exciting young player in the league, Gnaulati will look to make an impact in the midfield for Monterey Bay this season.
Gnaulati, 18, began his professional career with San Diego Loyal SC when he became just the second local player to move all the way through the San Diego development pathway in July 2023. A couple weeks later, Gnaulati made his USL Championship debut against Loudoun United. Then on September 20, Gnaulati made a substitute appearance in a match against Monterey Bay F.C. at Cardinale Stadium. He entered the match in the 80th minute with his side down 2-1, and promptly proceeded to score back-to-back goals – the first two goals of his professional career – in the 90′ and 90+3′ minutes to deliver San Diego a critical, come-from-behind victory. Now, on the very grounds he opened his professional goal scoring account just two and a half months prior, Gnaulati brings his talents to Seaside with a move up the coast.
“I am super excited to be signing with Monterey Bay,” said Gnaulati. “I’m looking forward to working with the players and coaches in this beautiful area. I have high goals for myself and I believe this is the place to help me achieve that. Scoring my first two professional goals in this stadium means a lot to me and my family. I hope to build off that and have even more amazing moments at Cardinale Stadium this season with the fans and my teammates.”
Prior to signing his first professional contract, the San Diego native from Cardiff by the Sea joined the Southern California club through an academy contract in 2021. Earning the opportunity to train with the first team, Gnaulati made his professional debut in a U.S. Open Cup match against Albion San Diego on July 6, 2022. He appeared again for San Diego in the club’s next U.S. Open Cup run in April 2023 before coming on as a substitute in a friendly against German Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund on July 27.
“I spoke to Landon [Donovan] about Xaxi initially, he gave me a good report on him. We really liked his ability for a young player,” said Monterey Bay F.C. Sporting Director and Head Coach Frank Yallop. “He proved it against us with those two goals in three minutes. And the great…