SPOKANE, Wash. – Spokane Velocity FC announced on Thursday the club had acquired Oakland native Ali Elmasnaouy on loan from USL Championship club Oakland Roots SC for the remainder of the 2026 USL League One season.
Elmasnaouy will be available for selection when Spokane plays host to Fort Wayne FC on Saturday night at ONE Spokane Stadium (9 p.m. ET | ESPN+).
A homegrown product who came through Roots SC’s Project 51O reserve team in USL League Two, Elmasnaouy has made 28 appearances and logged 1,246 minutes in the Championship in his career, logging one assist for Roots.
The 21-year-old enjoyed a career year in 2025, where he started in 15 of his 21 appearances with Oakland, totaling 1,092 minutes played. Elmasnaouy finished fourth on the team in blocks (9) and fifth in tackles won (18) during the campaign.
“After having a strong 2025 USL Championship season at such a young age, Ali is an exciting prospect,” said Velocity Head Coach Leigh Veidman. “He will add a youthful, forward thinking, robust profile to our midfield that will be key for the remainder of the season.”
Prior to signing professionally with Roots SC, Elmasnaouy developed with Project 51O, where he earned the 2024 Project 51O Player of the Year award and the 2024 USL League Two Southwest Division Player of the Year award.