Jonathan Raj

What Scouts Say: "Very tough, very brave centerback ... He's powerful ... I think he passes well, not great ... His pace was good enough in college, but is it adequate for MLS? Fairfield usually played deep which makes it more of a question ... OK with ball at his feet. His feet are good, but not great ... Big guy and with Fairfield typically doing everything in the air, it played to his strengths."

College (Fairfield):

2012: He was an All-MAAC athlete who started all 14 of his appearances in 2012. Raj anchored a defense which posted six shutouts and allowed just over a goal per game.

2011: Jonny Raj played in all 18 games last season, and was in the starting lineup for each of those contests. Raj spent most of the season marking some of the conference’s top scorers and performed admirably in that role. During the season, Raj took seven shots including one in the final three regular season games. Raj spent the summer of 2011as a member of the Chicago Fire PDL team, and earned a spot with the Reading PDL team in 2012.

2010: For the second straight season, Raj started every game which raised his consecutive start streak to 36 games. He continues to be one of the MAAC’s top defensive players, garnering an All-MAAC first team berth as a sophomore. He was part of a defense that allowed just 19 goals in 18 games and one goal or less 13 times (6-3-4 record). The back also contributed offensively with three points, scoring a goal and an assist. He set up the team’s second goal in a 3-1 victory against Marist, and followed up with the game-winning goal in a 4-1 decision over Manhattan. He finished the year with eight shots, including a season-high three against Manhattan. Raj spent the summer as a member of the Fire U-23 team in Chicago. He was a starting defender for the Fire.

2009: Raj was one of two returning sophomore to start all 18 games a year ago, joining goalkeeper Michael O’Keefe for the honor. Raj was one of the team’s top defenders, and emerged as a consistent defender. He switched between the left and right flank throughout the year. Raj was on the field for all six of the team’s shutouts.He was also effect offensively, registering three points with a goal and an assist. His first points came in the Saint Peter’s game, posting the game-winner in the 3-0 decision over Saint Peter’s. Raj followed with an assist two games later in a 5-1 victory against Rider.

New Zealand national team: Played with the New Zealand national team before deciding to enroll at Fairfield University.

Club: Auckland City

High School: Mt. Albert