Jeremy Rafanello part of United States U19 squad for Slovakia Cup

One of the top scorers in the Development Academy is back with the United States U19 team for a tournament in Slovakia.

Jeremy Rafanello scored the game-winning goal against PA Classics on Saturday before rejoining the U.S. team to prepare for the Slovakia Cup. Rafanello, who joined the Union from Continental FC last summer, leads the team with 22 goals in 20 games, which is sixth in the league. He’s committed to join former Union U19 head coach Jeff Cook at Penn State this fall.

U.S. U19 head coach Dave van den Bergh called in 20 players for the tournament, including former Philadelphia Union Academy defender Rayshaun McGann, who is a member of the Atlanta United U19 team.

The United States will face Kazakhstan on May 7, Ukraine on May 8, Czech Republic on May 10 in Group B action and a team to be determined on May 11. The winner of the group will face the winner of Group A, which includes Azerbaijan, Hungary, Slovakia and Wales.

The U19s won the tournament in their last attempt in 2016, topping Russia 2-1 in the final.

Roster by Position

GOALKEEPERS (2): Sam Fowler (Seattle Sounders FC; Issaquah, Wash.), Justin Garces (Atlanta United FC; Miami, Fla.)

DEFENDERS (7): Jake Arteaga (LA Galaxy; Glendora, Calif.), Charlie Asensio (Atlanta United FC; Roswell, Ga.), Jean-Julien Foe Nuphaus (San Jose Earthquakes; San Jose, Calif.), Chris Gloster (Hannover 96; Montclair, N.J.), Rayshaun McGann (Atlanta United FC; Palm Beach, Fla.), James Sands (New York City FC; Rye, N.Y.), Akil Watts (Unattached; Fort Wayne, Ind.)

MIDFIELDERS (5): Taylor Booth (Unattached; Eden, Utah), Blaine Ferri (Solar Soccer Club; Southlake, Texas), Declan McGlynn (Crossfire Premier; Kirkland, Wash.), Isaiah Parente (Columbus Crew; Cleveland, Ohio), Sean Zawadzki (Crew SC Academy; Olmsted Falls, Ohio)

FORWARDS (6): Kyle Holcomb (Pateadores; San Marcos, Calif.), Matt Hundley (Colorado Rapids; Littleton, Colo.), Zyen Jones (FC Schalke 04; Clarkston, Ga.), Jeremy Rafanello (Philadelphia Union; Delran, N.J.), Jacobo Reyes (C.F. Monterrey; Monterrey, Mexico), Sebastian Soto (Real Salt Lake; Casa Grande, Ariz.)