One of the great things about soccer is that a beautiful goal can be scored by a player at any level. And the great thing about social media is that even goals in the most obscure leagues can be circulated widely.
Jeremy Rafanello plays for the Philadelphia Union’s developmental team, Union II, in MLS Next Pro. In Wednesday night’s game against Toronto FC II, he scored one of the best goals you’ll ever see.
Early in the second half, Philadelphia had a corner kick. The ball was curled into the box and subsequently cleared by the Toronto defense. But it arced right toward Rafanello, who was standing well outside the box. He took a couple of steps back, watched the ball drop down and struck it on the volley. His shot was flawless, hitting the underside of the cross bar right in the upper right corner of the goal.
ABSOLUTELY UNBELIEVABLE! 🤯
— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) July 13, 2023
Rafanello buries a screamer for the visitors. @PhilaUnionII pic.twitter.com/FHNSJw6k0H
Toronto went on to tie the game on a goal by Antony Curic in the 83rd minute and win 4–2 on penalties.
Rafanello played college soccer at Penn State and had stints with the USL’s Indy Eleven and New York Red Bulls II before signing a homegrown player contract with Philadelphia last year (he grew up across the river from Philly in Delran, N.J.). He’s yet to make his regular season debut with the parent club, but he definitely turned some heads with his stunning strike against Toronto. Don’t be surprised if his goal is a nominee for FIFA’s Puskas Award.
