Xavier Kouassi
Xavier Laglais Kouassi (born 28 December 1989) is an Ivorian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder who plays for Pau FC in the Ligue 2. He spent most of his career in the Swiss Super League, starting with Servette and then two spells at Sion. He made 215 total appearances in the competition, and won the Swiss Cup with the latter club in 2015. He also played one season of Major League Soccer for the New England Revolution, in 2017. Kouassi earned one cap for the Ivory Coast against Israel in August 2011. Club career. Early career . Born in San-Pédro, Kouassi began his career at hometown club Séwé Sport de San Pedro before moving to Servette FC of the Swiss Super League in 2009. He made his professional debut on 1 November that year, playing the full 90 minutes of a goalless draw away to FC Winterthur. On 16 July 2013, Kouassi transferred to FC Sion of the same league, on a three-year deal. He played five of six matches as they won the Swiss Cup in 2014–15, including the 3–0 final win over FC Basel on 7 June. New England Revolution. Kouassi joined the  New England Revolution of Major League Soccer on 1 February 2016, joining asa Designated Player effective from July. However, a major injury to his right knee ruled him out for over a year, and he did not debut for his new team until 19 March 2017 in a 2–1 loss at FC Dallas; though used for only 45 minutes per game in pre-season due to this injury, he made it to 79. He was praised for his performance by head coach Jay Heaps and teammate Scott Caldwell. On 1 June 2017, Kouassi scored his only goal for the Revs , earning a 2–2 draw at New York City FC. In September, he received straight red cards in heavy losses away to Atlanta United FC (7–0) and Orlando City SC (6–1), in the 16th and 11th minutes of the respective games. Return to Sion. Kouassi returned to Sion on 15 February 2018, the last day of Switzerland's transfer window. In February 2020, before the Super League was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, he was sent off in consecutive games against FC Zürich and Neuchâtel Xamax FCS; the latter dismissal earned him a public criticism by club owner Christian Constantin , who considered it to have "murdered" the entire team's efforts. Club captain Kouassi and eight other players were sacked by Sion on 20 March 2020, having refused a pay cut amidst the viral pandemic. Neuchâtel Xamax. On 16 June 2020, Kouassi signed with Neuchâtel Xamax. Pau FC. On 13 September 2020, Kouassi signed with Pau FC. International career. Kouassi earned one cap for the Ivory Coast, on 10 August 2011. He replaced Gervinho for the last minute of a 4–3 friendly win over Israel at the Stade de Genève, home of his club Servette. Honours. FC Sion Xavier Kouassi