David Monsalve


David Andrés Monsalve is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Xelajú.

Club career

Toronto FC

He was brought in during the 2007 season by Toronto FC as an injury relief player. Monsalve made his MLS and professional debut on July 29 against the Chicago Fire. He is the youngest goalkeeper to play a game in the MLS. He was also the goalkeeper in a friendly against Aston Villa a couple of days earlier. Although both games were lost by TFC he impressed both his manager and the fans with his abilities. His MLS rights are held by Toronto FC. On July 27 he was called up for the game against New York Red Bulls.
After his tenure with Toronto he played in the Canadian Soccer League with the North York Astros.

Inter Turku

He was on trial in Norway for Lillestrøm SK and later signed with FC Inter Turku for the next three seasons.
Monsalve made his Veikkausliiga and FC Inter Turku debut on July 1 against Tampere United. He replaced the first choice goalkeeper Patrick Bantamoi who had been sent off previous game against HJK on 85 minutes and had been banned. Monsalve was also sent off. He was replaced by FC Inter Turku's third goalkeeper young Eemeli Reponen. Third game in row with different goalkeeper at start XI.
On October 31, 2009, Monsalve got to lift the Finnish Cup trophy for the first time in his club's history. Monsalve played the whole match in goal when his team beat Tampere United 1–2.
On January 28, 2011 it was verified that Monsalve was on trial with his former team Toronto FC, and was making the pre-season trip to Turkey. He was one of three Canadian Internationals that were on trial for the MLS side, Eddy Sidra and midfielder Gianluca Zavarise.

FC Edmonton

On August 3, 2011 Monslave signed with FC Edmonton in the North American Soccer League. The club re-signed Monsalve for the 2012 season on October 12, 2011.

AC Oulu

Monsalve joined AC Oulu in early 2013 and spent two season with the club in the Ykkönen.

América de Cali

Monsalve returned to North America after the 2014 Ykkönen season to try and sign a contract closer to home. He trialed with the Jacksonville Armada ahead of their inaugural season in the NASL. Monsalve would reveal after his trial ended that he was asked by Jacksonville if he could quit playing soccer for a year and wait to receive a U.S. green card so he could sign with the team and not take up an international spot.
Monsalve refused and he went to Colombia and signed for América de Cali in the Categoría Primera B in early January 2015. He made his debut in a promotion play-off tournament match against Deportivo Pereira on January 21, which ended in a 1-1 draw. Monsalve made his league debut against Universitario Popayán, coming in as a substitute after an injury to starting goalkeeper John Meneses.

Suchitepéquez

Monsalve signed with Suchitepéquez in January 2016, and made his club debut later in the same month, becoming the first Canadian goalkeeper to play professionally in Guatemala

Vaughan Azzurri

After stints in Finland and Sweden, Monsalve returned to Canada and joined League1 Ontario side Vaughan Azzurri in August 2017, making one appearance.

Ottawa Fury

After a two-week trial, Monsalve signed with USL side Ottawa Fury FC on 12 February 2018. Monsalve re-signed with the Ottawa Fury FC in November, 2018. After two seasons with the Fury, the club would cease operations for the 2020 season, making Monsalve a free agent.

Forge FC

On March 2, 2020, Monsalve signed with Canadian Premier League side Forge FC.

Xelajú

In July 2020 Monsalve returned to Guatemala and joined Liga Nacional club Xelajú.

International career

Youth

During July 2007 David was a member of the Canada's Under-20 national team that competed in the 2007 U-20 World Cup in Canada.
During March 2008 he was on the roster of the Canadian U-23 men's national soccer team which had placed 3rd in the 2008 CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualification Tournament.

Senior

Monsalve received his first international cap in a friendly match versus Jamaica on January 31, 2010.
More than five years after his debut and only cap, Monsalve was set to be called up for friendlies against Guatemala and Puerto Rico in March 2015, but declined the call due to a goalkeeper injury crisis at his club, América de Cali.

Personal life

Monsalve's parents were both born in Colombia and he can speak both English and Spanish.

Career statistics

Honours

Inter Turku