Co-written with Jillian Almoney

CHESTER, Pa. — Jeremy Rafanello came up through the Philadelphia Union Academy, so he knows what this organization is about. After his time in Chester, Rafanello signed with Penn State University for one season before moving to FC Helsingør in Denmark for one season abroad, returning to the U.S. to sign with USL Championship side Indy Eleven.

On August 23, 2022, the Delran, New Jersey native returned to his roots, signing with the Philadelphia Union on a homegrown contract after spending time with then-USL Championship side New York Red Bulls II (now New York Red Bulls II of MLS NEXT Pro).

During his first two and a half seasons in Philadelphia, the former Union Academy product appeared in 19 matches for a total of 349 minutes across all competitions, tallying one assist on June 19, 2024, against FC Cincinnati. He also got minutes with Union II during 2022-2023, making 22 total appearances. In 2023, he scored nine goals and had five assists for Union II.

The Philadelphia Union rewarded the midfielder with a contract extension through 2026, with options for 2027-28, in October 2024 following his first two years with the organization.

However, once Bradley Carnell arrived in Philadelphia following former manager Jim Curtin’s exit after the 2024 season, Jeremy, like other young players on the squad, was given an opportunity to prove himself to the new manager.

In 2025, Rafanello appeared in 19 matches across all competitions, logging a total of 410 minutes for the reigning MLS Supporters’ Shield winners. So far in 2026, he has played in both of the club’s opening-round matches against Defence Force FC, playing the full 90 minutes in both contests.

“Especially coming off of some decent minutes last year and then this year, starting the two Concacaf games, it’s always good to build off those minutes,” said Rafanello. “It’s a take opportunity, assuming when you get them. And Bradley providing me with that, I can never be more grateful for that.”

While during his time in Philadelphia Rafanello has primarily appeared in the midfield for the club, during the squad’s first leg against Defence Force FC, he started and played the full match at right back following their 5-0 win in Trinidad on February 18.

“I have played there in my career before, wasn’t anything too crazy,” said Jeremy, talking about the move to right back for the match. “Like I said, whenever there’s opportunity that arrives that’s on the field, you take that opportunity whenever you can. And I was up for the challenge and glad we walked away with the shutout, which was even better.”

With the departure of veteran leaders Jakob Glesnes and Kai Wagner during the off season, and while players like Alejandro Bedoya and Andre Blake are still with the club, it left a bit of a void in terms of who was going to step up as additional leaders in 2026.

During a preseason press conference, when asked about that particular topic, Bradley Carnell mentioned Rafanello as one of the players stepping up to fill that leadership void.

“Definitely being one of the older guys on the team is definitely a big responsibility,” Jeremy mentioned when asked about that leadership opportunity. “Helping out the younger guys who come through, guys who’ve been in my shoes when I was at the academy, definitely trying to set like some sort of role model for them and and help them grow through through their careers and whatever it may be after that.”

With the roster turnover so far in 2026, including new faces like Ezekiel Alladoh, Japhet Sery Larsen, Geiner Martinez, Agustin Anello, and others, some of those players are also providing valuable leadership with their new club.

“Sery Larson’s really, really good, and couple other guys too,” Jeremy mentioned when asked about the leadership of the new faces on the squad. “Martinez doesn’t really speak much English, but you can see that he’s really trying to integrate with the team, and he’s a little bit of an older guy, and he’s trying to take on, you know, some of the younger Spanish guys.

“I think it’s a really collective team, and it’s always been here at Union, and I don’t think anything has changed, especially culture wise, and culture that Bradley builds, and how much credit there is to his coaching staff.”

As for some of the new faces on the club who have stood out to him and could make a difference for the group not only in 2026 but beyond, the midfielder pointed to a few of the new players, as well as some of the younger members of the team looking to earn minutes.

“Japhet Sery Larsen is a big one, some of the other guys too like Ezekiel (Alladoh),” he said. “Stas (Korzeniowski) being another one to get on the score sheet couple times last week. A lot of guys have been impressing everybody, even the younger kids coming up. Malik (Jakupovic) is another one who’s been impressive in training.”

The young talent was on display during Philadelphia’s 12-0 aggregate win over Defence Force, with Korzenowski getting a brace, Alladoh scoring a goal on a header, and Jakupovic putting in an impressive shift in the second leg.

And while the MLS regular season has not gone to plan following last night’s 2-1 loss against NYCFC and the previous weekend’s loss to D.C. United, Jeremy knows it’s a long season with plenty of matches still to be played and time for this team to come together.

“It’s beginning days still and I’m excited to see what we had last year, and bringing it over to this year, to the new guys,” he said. “You know, we were Supporters’ Shield winners last year. And I don’t think we should set the standard any lower. I think we’re shooting for that. And the team meetings we have and everything, everybody, collectively, I think that’s the goal, ultimately coming for the Cup.”

As for what he personally hopes to gain to help the team reach those goals and standards again this season:

“I don’t think anything has changed from my goals from when I first signed here,” he said. “You know, impact the squad the best I can and always be that player, whether I’m starting, not starting, or on the bench or not. Like, you know, everybody plays a role here in the matter. You know, you don’t get down if you don’t start, you don’t pout or do anything. You uplift your team. That’s the culture we have here at the Union.”

Main article photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Union