Photo by: Cadey Spencer
Montali Signs MLS Contract With San Jose Earthquakes
March 20, 2025 | Men's Soccer
BOSTON – Boston University men's soccer alum and two-time Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Year Francesco Montali ('23) recently signed a first-team Major League Soccer (MLS) contract with the San Jose Earthquakes.
The Davie, Florida, native, becomes the first BU goalkeeper to formally join the MLS ranks and is the second active Terrier alongside 2014 PL Offensive Player of the Year Dominique Badji ('14), who is currently with DC United having compiled 44 goals and 23 assists over a 10-year period.
A participant in the MLS academies with Orlando City SC and the New York Red Bulls, Montali totaled 19 career solo shutouts at BU under head coach Kevin Nylen with a 0.99 goals against average and .760 save percentage en route to a pair of All-PL First Team and All-PL Tournament Team honors. The Terriers' first two-time PL Goalkeeper of the Year started all 18 games played in 2023 to help BU sweep the PL regular season and tournament titles for the first time. Also successful in the classroom, he added United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-America First Team and Academic All-PL Team recognition.
Following graduation, Montali was the 24th pick in the third round (82nd overall) of the MLS SuperDraft by the Philadelphia Union. He later joined Minnesota United FC's MLS NEXT Pro team on a short-term agreement due to the club's extreme hardship and later signed an MLS NEXT Pro contract through the end of the season, starting five games for the second team. He also signed a short-term agreement with the first team and sat on the bench for two MLS regular season contests.
San Jose acquired the rights to Montali from Philadelphia in a trade involving financial considerations and signed him to a contract that includes club options through 2027. Montali is the second Terrier to join the Earthquakes after BU Hall of Famer and 1994 World Cup (Nigeria) participant Michael Emenalo ('89) played in MLS's first two seasons with San Jose from 1996-97.
The Davie, Florida, native, becomes the first BU goalkeeper to formally join the MLS ranks and is the second active Terrier alongside 2014 PL Offensive Player of the Year Dominique Badji ('14), who is currently with DC United having compiled 44 goals and 23 assists over a 10-year period.
A participant in the MLS academies with Orlando City SC and the New York Red Bulls, Montali totaled 19 career solo shutouts at BU under head coach Kevin Nylen with a 0.99 goals against average and .760 save percentage en route to a pair of All-PL First Team and All-PL Tournament Team honors. The Terriers' first two-time PL Goalkeeper of the Year started all 18 games played in 2023 to help BU sweep the PL regular season and tournament titles for the first time. Also successful in the classroom, he added United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-America First Team and Academic All-PL Team recognition.
Following graduation, Montali was the 24th pick in the third round (82nd overall) of the MLS SuperDraft by the Philadelphia Union. He later joined Minnesota United FC's MLS NEXT Pro team on a short-term agreement due to the club's extreme hardship and later signed an MLS NEXT Pro contract through the end of the season, starting five games for the second team. He also signed a short-term agreement with the first team and sat on the bench for two MLS regular season contests.
San Jose acquired the rights to Montali from Philadelphia in a trade involving financial considerations and signed him to a contract that includes club options through 2027. Montali is the second Terrier to join the Earthquakes after BU Hall of Famer and 1994 World Cup (Nigeria) participant Michael Emenalo ('89) played in MLS's first two seasons with San Jose from 1996-97.
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