The Defiance continues a week of announcements with four additional player signings, defenders Kevin Bonilla and Mark O'Neill and midfielders Rafa Jaregui and Saku Kitafuji.
“Kevin, Mark, Rafa and Saku have each taken different paths to get here, and that’s something we value as a club,” Sounders FC Director of Development Wade Webber said in a team statement. “This group is a good example of how we look at all areas of the game to identify talent that can strengthen the team. They’ve shown qualities that fit our environment, and we’re looking forward to seeing how they continue to develop with Defiance.”
Bonilla is a product of the FC Dallas academy having played for their MLS Next Pro team, North Texas SC from 2019-2020. He then went to college to play at the University of Portland from 2020-2023 where he put up some strong attacking numbers for a fullback with three goals and 17 assists in 57 appearances. This led to him being drafted 18th overall by Real Salt Lake in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft. Although he signed a MLS contract, he missed all of that season with a knee injury.
O’Neill spent 2025 playing for Whitecaps FC 2, earning a first-team contract this last September after scoring seven goals in 26 appearances. This followed a collegiate career at Creighton University from 2020-2024, and appearances at Vermont Green FC during this time. He is the brother of former Sounders center back Shane O'Neill.
“Kevin, Mark, Rafa and Saku each bring something unique to this team,” said Tacoma Defiance Head Coach Paulo Nagamura. “I’m excited to see how we can use their different skillsets and experiences to better our team going forward. Now the focus is on pushing them in our environment and seeing how they grow within the demands of this league.”
Jauregui is a product of the Sacramento Republic academy and played for the side from 2020-2024 before a transfer to Charlotte Independence of USL League One in 2025. This last year in Charlotte was his best year statistically where he scored four goals and provided three assists in 37 appearances while playing mostly as a wingback.
Kitafuji has spent his career thus far in Japan, starting at Kobe Kouryou High School before moving to Kwansei Gakuin University.
Tacoma Defiance roster
GOALKEEPERS (1): Mohammed Shour
DEFENDERS (7): Demian Alvarez, Kevin Bonilla, Drew Brown, Antino Lopez, Mark O'Neill, Codey Phoenix, Jasper Winslow
MIDFIELDERS (9): Edson Carli, Joe Dale, Charlie Gaffney, Xavi Gnaulati, Omar Hassan, Rafael Jauregui, Peter Kingston, Saku Kitafuji, Danny Robles
FORWARDS (2): Cris Batiz, Mark Bronnik
