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.
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.[3]
Rafanello appeared as an amateur player for United Soccer League side Bethlehem Steel during their 2018 season via the Philadelphia Union academy.[4]
Rafanello committed to playing college soccer for the Penn State Nittany Lions from 2018 onward.[3] 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 July 11, 2019, that Rafanello had signed a 2-year contract.[5]
On February 19, 2020, Rafanello returned to the United States, signing with USL Championship club Indy Eleven.[6] On September 9, 2020, Rafanello scored his first goal as a professional in a 2–1 victory over Sporting Kansas City II.[7]
On March 3, 2021, it was announced that Rafanello had signed with New York Red Bulls II.[8] He made his debut for the club on April 30, 2021, starting in a 3–2 loss to Hartford Athletic.[9] On June 16, 2021, Rafanello scored his first two goals for New York and also recorded an assist in a 3–1 victory over Charlotte Independence.[10]
Rafanello signed a Homegrown Player contract with the Philadelphia Union on August 23, 2022.[11]
Rafanello made his international debut in 2018 for the United States 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 third place match.[12]