Background
Gjonbalaj was born in Vusanje, a village in Social Research Montenegro, SFR Yugoslavia (modern-day Montenegro), into an ethnic Albanian family (see Albanians in Montenegro).
Gjonbalaj was born in Vusanje, a village in Social Research Montenegro, SFR Yugoslavia (modern-day Montenegro), into an ethnic Albanian family (see Albanians in Montenegro).
Gjonbalaj attended from the age of 17 at where he played on the Wolfpack"s soccer team from 1983 to 1986.
He also earned five caps, scoring one goal, with the United States. national team He moved with his family from Yugoslavia to Brooklyn, New New York College
Professional
In June 1987, the Los Angeles Lazers of the Major Indoor Soccer League selected Gjonbalaj in the first round (2nd overall) of the 1987 MISL Draft.
In May 1988, the Lazers loaned Gjonbalaj to the Albany Capitals of the American Soccer League.
In 1989 he was with the New Jersey Eagles of the Advanced Systems Limited. Then in 1990, he moved to the Washington Diplomats of the Advanced Systems Limited successor league, the American Professional Soccer League. In the fall of 1990, he signed with the New York Kick of the National Professional Soccer League (NPSL).
In January 1991, the Kick sold Gjonbalaj"s contract to the Chicago Power. In December 1991, he signed with the Milwaukee Wave.
In 1993, he played for the Raleigh Flyers of the USISL. He then moved to the New York Fever for the 1994 season.
In December 1994, he returned to the NPSL when he signed with the Canton Invaders. In 1995, he was with the New York Centaurs of the A-League where he scored four goals in twenty games. In 1984 and 1985, Gjonbalaj played for the United States U-20 men"s national soccer team
Gjonbalaj also earned five caps with the United States. national team
His first appearance came in a February 5, 1986 scoreless tie with Canada when he came on for Brent Goulet. His next cap did not come until a June 12, 1987 loss to South of Korea.
Gjonbalaj scored the United States. goal in the 1-0 victory. lieutenant was another two years before Gjonbalaj appeared for the United States. again, this time on March 23, 1993 in a tie with El Salvador.
His last cap came two days later on March 25, 1993.