Jeremy Michael Rafanello (born April 14, 2000) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward and winger for the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Jeremy Michael Rafanello | ||
| Date of birth | (2000-04-14) April 14, 2000 (age 22) | ||
| Place of birth |
Delran Township, New Jersey, United States | ||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[1] | ||
| Position(s) | Forward, winger | ||
| Club information | |||
Current team | Philadelphia Union | ||
| Number | 14 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2016–2017 | Continental FC | ||
| 2017–2018 | Philadelphia Union | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2018 | Penn State Nittany Lions | 17 | (3) |
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2018 | Bethlehem Steel | 2 | (0) |
| 2018–2019 | Reading United | 6 | (1) |
| 2019 | Helsingør | 0 | (0) |
| 2020 | Indy Eleven | 9 | (1) |
| 2021–2022 | New York Red Bulls II | 47 | (10) |
| 2022– | Philadelphia Union | 0 | (0) |
| 2022– | Philadelphia Union II | 3 | (1) |
| National team | |||
| 2018– | United States U19 | 3 | (1) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of September 20, 2022 | |||
A native of Delran Township, New Jersey, Rafanello attended Delran High School while participating in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, after playing a single year of high school soccer.[2]
Rafanello appeared as an amateur player for United Soccer League side Bethlehem Steel FC during their 2018 season via the Philadelphia Union academy.[3]
Rafanello committed to playing college soccer for the Penn State Nittany Lions men's soccer from 2018 onward.[2] In his one year with Penn State he appeared in 18 matches scoring three goals.
After a trial at Danish club FC Helsingør it was announced on 11 July 2019, that Rafanello had signed a 2-year contract with the Danes.[4]
On 19 February 2020, Rafanello returned to the United States, signing with USL Championship club Indy Eleven.[5] On 9 September 2020, Rafanello scored his first goal as a professional in a 2-1 victory over Sporting Kansas City II.[6]
On 3 March 2021 it was announced that Rafanello had signed with New York Red Bulls II.[7] He made his debut for the club on 30 April 2021, starting in a 3–2 loss to Hartford Athletic.[8] On 16 June 2021, Rafanello scored his first two goals for New York and also recorded an assist in a 3-1 victory over Charlotte Independence. [9]
Rafanello signed a Homegrown Player contract with the Philadelphia Union on August 23, 2022.[10]
Rafanello made his international debut in 2018 for the USA Under-19 team at the Slovakia Cup, with substitute appearances against Kazakhstan and the Czech Republic. In his lone start, he scored the game-winning goal in the 3-0 victory over Azerbaijan in the 3rd Place match.[11]
Philadelphia Union – current squad | |
|---|---|