Pronunciation: How-rreh-gee
Position: Forward
Height: 5-9
Weight: 160 lbs
Born: December 20, 2004
Hometown: Sacramento, California
Nationality: United States
College: n/a
Previous Club: Sacramento Republic FC Academy
Joined Republic FC: November 30, 2020 (signed pro contract out of Republic FC Youth Academy)
Career Bio
2023 USL Championship – Republic FC: 5 appearances, 76 minutes, 77.8 % passing accuracy
In 2022, Jauregui made 6 starts in 12 appearances, with a new career high in minutes (517). He also scored his first career goal, making him the youngest goal scorer in club history.
He signed his first professional contract with Republic FC in November 2020 after joining the club’s youth development academy in 2017. During his first pro season, he made five first-team appearances across 13 game-day selections. Part of a group of seven academy products who logged nearly 4,000 combined first team minutes—the most in a season in club history—Rafa continued his development in a big way throughout the season. He proved himself capable of hanging with established players at the professional level in his 127 minutes of action, reminding fans just how strong he and the club’s youth academy are on the field.
He previously spent part of the 2020 season with the first team on a USL Academy Pro contract and was available for selection in 13 of the club’s 16 matches and made five appearances (101 minutes) and made one start.
He also appeared for the Republic FC’s U17 Academy team in the MLSNext Cup, where he netted a first half goal in the semifinals.
Prior to signing with the first team, Rafa scored 32 goals in 82 U.S. Development Academy games, earning the young midfielder a U.S. Youth National Team call up. He’s represented for country at three international competitions, including the U-15 Boys’ team for the 2019 Concacaf Championship – starting three games and netting two goals – helping his side to the competition’s semifinals.
Milestones & Honors
- Youngest goal scorer in Republic FC history (June 18, 2022 – aged 17 years, 5 months, 29 days)