Shalom Luani (born August 5, 1994) is a former American football safety. He has also represented American Samoa in soccer, having scored against Tonga in American Samoa's first-ever win in FIFA-sanctioned play.American Samoa: The Last Perennial Losers? Extra Time. March 12, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012. 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.Binder's Guide to National Teams – American Samoa TurfAndTerrace.com. September 11, 2014. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
He played college football at Washington State, and was selected 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. He has also been a member of the Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Chargers, and Houston Texans of the NFL, and the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League (USFL).
Association football career Club career From 2009 to 2011, Luani played for ASFA Soccer League club Tafuna Jets, along with his brother Sumeo. OleOle.com. August 18, 2009. Retrieved April 22, 2012. In October 2011, Luani scored a hat-trick in Tafuna's 4–4 draw with Atu'u Broncos.FFAS Men's League: Pool B Powers Duke It Out Samoa News. October 4, 2011. Retrieved April 22, 2012.
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".Vikings Win Thrilling Boys' HS Futsal Final Football Federation American Samoa. February 28, 2012. Retrieved April 23, 2012.
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.Vikings win Championship in dramatic Final Football Federation American Samoa. May 9, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
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.Match Summary: American Samoa – Papua New Guinea Oceania Football Confederation. April 23, 2011. Retrieved January 20, 2012.
Under-23 In March 2012, Luani was selected as part of American Samoa's under-23 Olympic squad, along with his brother Roy.American Samoa U-23 team finalized Football Federation American Samoa. March 10, 2012. Retrieved April 22, 2012. Luani played for the side on March 18, 2012, in a 7–1 loss to Fiji in an Olympic qualifier.American Samoa 1–7 Fiji Football Federation American Samoa. March 18, 2012. Retrieved March 30, 2012. 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.American Samoa 1–16 Solomon Islands Football Federation American Samoa. March 20, 2012. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
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.American Samoa Men's Squad for XIV Pacific Games Football Federation American Samoa. August 23, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2012. 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.American Samoa Team Details Oceania Football Confederation. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
Luani made his debut for the senior side in their opening fixture of the tournament, in a 4–0 loss to Tuvalu on August 27, 2011. Playing as a forward, he was replaced late in the game by substitute Lemusa Alatasi.Tuvalu 4–0 American Samoa Oceania Football Confederation. August 27, 2011. Retrieved January 20, 2011. 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.
Following American Samoa's elimination from the Pacific Games, and now under the stewardship of Dutch-born American coach Thomas Rongen, Luani earned his sixth senior cap in American Samoa's historic 2–1 victory over Tonga on November 23, 2011. Luani scored his first international goal by chipping Tonga goalkeeper Kaneti Falela in the second half to give American Samoa a 2–0 lead. ESPN Soccernet. November 23, 2011. Retrieved January 21, 2012. The win was American Samoa's first ever in a FIFA-sanctioned match.American Samoa football team celebrate first ever win BBC News. November 24, 2011. Retrieved January 21, 2011. Luani continued this form into the next match, against the Cook Islands on November 25, 2011. He gave American Samoa the lead in the first half after dispossessing Cook Islands defender Nathan Tisam and beating goalkeeper Tony Jamieson. This goal, Luani's second in international football, made him American Samoa's joint–top scorer of all time, tied with Ramin Ott.2014 FIFA World Cup: Baby Steps Will Do For American Samoa Bleacher Report. November 27, 2011. Retrieved January 21, 2012. Incidentally, a British film unit had been documenting the team over the course of the year, so both his goals were shown in Next Goal Wins, which was released in 2014.
Luani's eighth senior international appearance came in American Samoa's 1–0 loss to Samoa on November 27, 2011, with the result knocking them out of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Luani revealed that he almost did not feature in the match due to American football commitments, saying "I play [American football] for my high school and we have a play-off match at the same time as this tournament. I left it up to the coaches to decide what was best for me. I will just take whatever opportunity comes up."Options open for multi-skilled Luani Football Federation American Samoa. November 25, 2011. Retrieved January 21, 2012.
International goals # Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1. November 22, 2011 National Soccer Stadium, Apia, Samoa 2–0 2–1 2014 OFC WCQ First Round 2. November 24, 2011 1–0 1–1Correct as of April 21, 2014
American football career High school Luani began his American football career as a defensive back for the Faga'itua Vikings, representing Faga'itua High School and wearing the number 21 jersey for the team.Shalom Luani Football Stats – Fagaitua MaxPreps. Retrieved January 21, 2012. Competent in both association and American football, Luani has stated "I am keen to keep playing both at the moment because I am not sure which one will be my best option for the future. I would like to make a career in one but I don't know which yet, I guess I will find out later on."Shalom Luani has a bright future in the game Football Federation American Samoa. November 25, 2011. Retrieved January 21, 2012.
At the age of 15, in September 2009, Luani was named the Junior Varsity division's MVP, being selected by the coaches of other teams. He earned the accolade for his "perfectly executed trick plays" that helped the Vikings to an undefeated season. Samoa News. February 29, 2009. Retrieved April 22, 2012.
In June 2010, Luani represented Faga'itua in an under-18s Rugby Sevens tournament held at the Veterans Memorial Stadium in Pago Pago. Luani was voted the tournament's MVP as Faga'itua won the cup, defeating Leone Whites 7–0 in the final. Faga'itua's head coach, Tuiaua Pio Grohse, suggested that Luani had been the difference between the two sides in the final, saying "They had a very good team, and we had a hard time scoring against them until a minute and a half left in the game, when Shalom Luani crossed the try line and added a score for our team". SamoaNews.com. June 25, 2010. Retrieved February 25, 2012.
On December 31, 2011, Luani represented American Samoa in a Samoa Bowl match against Hawaii. American Samoa eventually won 34–28 after double overtime, with Luani scoring the final touchdown to seal his country's victory.Samoa Bowl IX: American Samoa 34, Hawaii 28 In Double Overtime AmericanSamoa.gov. January 5, 2012. Retrieved April 22, 2012.
In February 2012, Luani was included in an American Samoa All Star Team for an under-19 Junior Oceania Bowl championship match against Australia.American Samoa playing American Football in Australia AIGA Foundation. February 15, 2012. Retrieved February 28, 2012.All Stars en route to IFAF Championship SamoaNews.com. February 18, 2012. Retrieved February 25, 2012. The winner would represent the World Team against Team USA at the IFAF World Championship in June 2012.All Stars on their way Down Under SamoaNews.com. February 17, 2012. Retrieved February 18, 2012. American Samoa won the match 93–7, with Luani scoring on a punt return, an interception return, a two-point run and an extra point kick.Australia loses the 2012 Junior Oceania Bowl 93–7 GridironVictoria.au. February 28, 2012. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
From June to July 2012, Luani represented the American Samoa under-19 American football team at the 2012 IFAF U-19 World Championship, playing in his country's 27–6 loss to first seed United States on June 30 and being named American Samoa's MVP for the match.US Opens IFAF World Championship with 27–6 win USAFootball.com. July 1, 2012. Retrieved August 3, 2012. He made his second appearance of the competition in a 51–0 win over Panama on July 3. Luani played a prominent role in the victory, assisting five of his team's eight scores and scoring a 23-yard field goal.Scoring Summary: American Samoa U-19 51–0 Panama U-19 under19championship.com. July 3, 2012. Retrieved September 3, 2012.American Samoa Blanks Panama 51–0 Football-Austria.com. July 4, 2012. Retrieved September 3, 2012. Luani then played in American Samoa's 27–14 victory against France in the fifth-place play-off on July 7, 2012.American Samoa 27–14 France IFAF. July 7, 2012. Retrieved August 3, 2012.
College career