Gabriel Slonina

Gabriel "Gaga" Slonina (born May 15, 2004) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Major League Soccer club Chicago Fire.

Gabriel Slonina
Personal information
Full name Gabriel Slonina
Date of birth (2004-05-15) May 15, 2004
Place of birth Addison, Illinois, United States
Height 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Club information
Current team
 Chicago Fire
Number 1
Youth career
2016–2020 Chicago Fire
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021– Chicago Fire 20 (0)
National team‡
2019 United States U15 2 (0)
2019–2020 United States U16 2 (0)
2019–2020 United States U17 2 (0)
2021– United States U20 1 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of April 30, 2022
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of February 4, 2022

Club career

Born in Addison, Illinois, Slonina joined the youth academy of Major League Soccer club Chicago Fire in 2016.[1] On March 8, 2019, Slonina signed a professional homegrown player contract with the club. At the age of 14, Slonina became the second youngest signing in Major League Soccer history and the youngest signing ever for the Chicago Fire.[1]

On August 4, 2021, Slonina made his professional debut for the Chicago Fire against New York City FC, becoming the youngest starting goalkeeper in league history at 17 years, 81 days.[2] Slonina made four saves for the Fire as the match ended in a 0–0 draw which made him the youngest goalkeeper to record a shutout (clean sheet) in Major League Soccer history.[3][4]

International career

Slonina has represented the United States at the under-15, under-16, under-17, and under-20 levels.[5][6] Slonina was called into camp for the United States senior team in December 2021 but did not feature in a match.[7] On January 21, 2022, Slonina was called into a World Cup Qualifying camp with the United States senior team but again did not feature in a match.[8]

Personal life

Born in the United States, he is of Polish descent and is eligible to represent the United States or Poland internationally.[9][10][11]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played April 30, 2022[12]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Playoffs National Cup Continental Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Chicago Fire 2021 Major League Soccer110———110
2022 Major League Soccer90———90
Total 200000000200
Career total 200000000200

References
  1. Mikula, Jeremy (March 8, 2019). "Fire sign 14-year-old goalie Gabriel Slonina of Addison — the youngest pro contract in MLS since Freddy Adu". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  2. Sandalow, Brian (August 4, 2021). "As Fire negotiate Frankowski transfer, 17-year-old Slonina debuts in tie with NYCFC". Chicago Sun Times. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  3. "17-year-old Slonina has 4 saves, Fire ties NYCFC 0-0". Hastings Tribune. August 4, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  4. "Gabriel Slonina Reflects on Becoming the Youngest Goalkeeper in MLS History to Start a Match". Chicago Fire FC. August 5, 2021. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  5. West, Phil (August 5, 2021). "Remember the name: Fire's Gabriel Slonina becomes youngest starting goalkeeper in MLS history". Major League Soccer. Retrieved August 28, 2021.
  6. "Spain U17 2–1 United States U17". Soccerway.
  7. "USMNT Newbies: Meet the First-Time Players at December Camp". www.ussoccer.com. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  8. "Berhalter Calls 28 Players to Columbus for January World Cup Qualifying Training Camp". www.ussoccer.com. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  9. "Chicago Fire Soccer Club Signs Academy Product Gabriel Slonina". Chicago Fire FC. August 5, 2021. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
  10. "Q&A | Nicholas Slonina talks homegrown contract, sibling rivalry, and Polish heritage". Chicago Fire FC. August 5, 2021. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
  11. https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/usmnt-or-poland-chicago-fire-gk-gaga-slonina-attracting-international-attention
  12. Gabriel Slonina at Soccerway
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