Pronunciation: How-rreh-gee
Position: Midfielder (#34)
Height: 5-9
Weight: 160 lbs
Born: December 20, 2004
Hometown: Sacramento, California
Nationality: United States
Previous Club: Sacramento Republic FC Academy
How Acquired: Signed on Nov. 30, 2020
Career Bio
“Rafa” is back for his second professional season with the Indomitable Club. During the 2021 season, he went from a 15-year-old kid to a 16-year-old pro, making 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.
After making his season debut on June 5, 2021—a performance that saw him complete 89% of his passes—Jauregui earned his second career start four days later. In 73 minutes against a Real Monarchs SLC squad featuring six players who logged MLS minutes in 2021, he led all 22 starters with 92% passing accuracy. 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.
In December 2020, Rafa signed his first professional contract with Republic FC after joining the club’s youth development academy in 2017. He spent part of the 2020 season with the first team on a USL Academy Pro contract. He was available for selection in 13 of the club’s 16 matches and made five appearances (101 minutes) and made one start—setting the record for youngest starter in club history.
With Republic FC’s youth academy, 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, most recently in 2019 where he was invited to join the U-15 Boys’ team for the Concacaf Championship – starting three games and netting two goals – helping his side to the competition’s semifinals
