Shalom Luani (born August 5, 1994) is an American football safety for the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League (USFL). He is better known worldwide for his soccer career, having scored against Tonga in American Samoa's first-ever win in FIFA-sanctioned play. Luani, who played as a forward, scored twice for American Samoa in November 2011, making him (at the time) the country's joint–top goalscorer of all time with fellow forward Ramin Ott.
He played college football at Washington State, and was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the seventh round of the 2017 NFL Draft. His American football career has also encompassed spells at Faga'itua High School, Chabot College, and the City College of San Francisco. In the NFL, he has been a member of the Seattle Seahawks, the Los Angeles Chargers and the Houston Texans.
Association football career
Club career
From 2009 to 2011, Luani played for ASFA Soccer League club Tafuna Jets, along with his brother Sumeo. In October 2011, Luani scored a hat-trick in Tafuna's 4–4 draw with Atu'u Broncos.
In February 2011, Luani played for the Faga'itua Vikings in the inaugural Boys' Futsal tournament, held at Samoana High School. The Vikings won the tournament after defeating Tafuna Warriors 5–4 on February 22. Luani's brother Roy was also playing for the Vikings and Shalom assisted his sibling for the game's opening goal before scoring a free kick himself. The American Samoa Football Federation suggested that the brothers were the difference between the two teams, saying: "Shalom Luani was everywhere, whether it be defending or assisting on goals while his older sibling's tenacity, nose for the ball and no fear play were huge keys in winning the first ever Futsal championship in ASHSAA history".
On May 7, 2012, Luani played for the Faga'itua Vikings in the final of the ASHAA Boys' Soccer Championship, against Samoana Sharks at the Veterans Memorial Stadium in Pago Pago. Shalom scored to help his side to a 3–2 win and the Championship title, although the forward was injured and taken to hospital following a collision with Samoana's Palauni Taposua. Despite missing some of the game, Luani was voted the match's MVP, an award that was collected by his father Penitito.
International career
Under-17
Luani made his debut for American Samoa's under-17 team in a 9–0 loss to Fiji on January 8, 2011. He made his second appearance for the side in a 2–1 defeat against Papua New Guinea four days later. With the score at 1–1, goalscorer Ryan Petaia was fouled by goalkeeper Benjamin Wilbert, resulting in a penalty that Luani took, but his effort stuck the crossbar. Luani's third and fourth appearances for the U-17 side were in a 4–0 loss to New Zealand and in a 7–0 loss to Vanuatu. All four games came in the 2011 OFC U-17 Championship in New Zealand.
Under-20
Luani made his debut for American Samoa's under-20 team in a 7–0 loss to Vanuatu on April 21, 2011. He made his second appearance for the side in a 5–1 defeat against Papua New Guinea two days later. Luani's third and final game for the U-20 side came in a 5–1 loss to Fiji on April 25, 2011. All three games came in the 2011 OFC U-20 Championship in New Zealand. Luani played in defence during the tournament and wore the no.3 shirt for American Samoa.
Under-23
In March 2012, Luani was selected as part of American Samoa's under-23 Olympic squad, along with his brother Roy. Luani played for the side on March 18, 2012, in a 7–1 loss to Fiji in an Olympic qualifier. Two days later, Luani opened the scoring for American Samoa in another Olympic qualifier against the Solomon Islands on March 20, 2012. The goal would prove to be his side's only bright spot in a 16–1 loss.
Senior side
Following his performances for the under-20 side, Luani was called up to the American Samoa senior team for the 2011 Pacific Games by coach Iofi Lalogafuafua. Luani's under-20 teammates Suani Uelese, Frederick Charles Uhrle, Ismael D'Angelo Herrera, Moe Kuresa and Daru Taumua were also called up the squad.
Luani made his debut for the senior side in their opening fixture of the tournament, in a 4–0 to Tuvalu on August 27, 2011. Playing as a forward, he was replaced late in the game by substitute Lemusa Alatasi. He earned his second cap three days later in a 4–0 loss to the Solomon Islands, this time playing the full ninety minutes. Luani also played ninety minutes in all of American Samoa's remaining group stage matches, a 2–0 loss to Guam on September 1, an 8–0 defeat to New Caledonia two days later and another 8–0 loss, to Vanuatu, on September 5, 2011.