Stefani Miglioranzi

After entering the Union's first-ever match in the 46th minute against Seattle on March 25, Miglioranzi has become a staple in the club's starting XI as an experienced holding midfielder with a calming temperment. Miglioranzi gives Philadelphia veteran leadership in the middle of the pitch, proficient at breaking up plays with strong ball-winning ability and jumpstarting the counter attack with precise distribution. Miglioranzi's impact is rarely reflected on the scoresheet, and some of the Brazilian's best games are when his presence is barely noticed.

After being selected by the Chicago Fire with the last pick (36th overall) in the 1999 MLS College Draft (now the MLS SuperDraft), Miglioranzi turned down an offer from the club in favor of a three-year contract from Portsmouth manager Alan Ball following a three-month trial with Everton. The midfielder played three injury-plagued seasons for the then English Premier League side, seeing time in 25 matches and scoring twice.

Miglioranzi signed for Swindon Town of the English Division Two in July 2002 after a successful trial spell earned him a contract, appearing in 126 league games including playoffs (136 in all competitions) and scoring nine goals in four seasons with the club. 

After signing with the LA Galaxy in the summer of 2006, Miglioranzi was traded to the Columbus Crew, where he went on to win an MLS Cup with the Eastern Conference side in 2008. Miglioranzi was signed by the Union on November 25, 2009 in the MLS Expansion Draft from LA, after the Galaxy acquired the veteran midfielder in January 2009.

2010: Acquired by Philadelphia on November 25, 2009 in the MLS Expansion Draft ... Entered the Union's first-ever match in the 46th minute against Seattle on March 25.

2009: Started in 20 of 23 games. Was acquired by LA from the Columbus Crew in exchange for a conditional fourth round pick in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft on January 9, 2009.

2008: Was limited by injuries to 14 games and seven starts in 2008 as he helped the Crew win their first MLS Cup championship. He had one assist on the season, setting up Steven Lenhart’s game-winner in a 2-0 win over Colorado. The Crew were 4-1-2 in games in which he started.

2007: Officially joined the Crew in January and enjoyed his best season in MLS in his first year with the club. He appeared in 23 games, making 17 starts while tallying three goals and two assists. He made his regular season debut for Columbus on 4/28 as a second half substitute against D.C. United before earning the first start of his MLS career on 5/12 against Chivas USA. He scored the first goal of his MLS career on 6/20 against Kansas City, scoring the game-winner in a 2-1 Crew win. He added a goal against Chivas USA on 7/14 and then had a goal and an assist in a road win over New England on 10/13. Just over a month earlier, he had registered the first assist of his MLS career, setting up Eddie Gaven’s goal in a 1-1 draw with Colorado.

2006: Signed with the Galaxy in September following a successful trial that saw him make his debut for the club in a friendly against Mexican side Necaxa on 7/12. He made three league appearance for the club, all off the bench that season, making his MLS debut on 9/16 against Colorado. He began training with Columbus during the offseason and made his Crew debut, as a guest player in a friendly against CSD Municipal of Guatemala at Crew Stadium on 11/8.

2002-06: He signed for Swindon Town of the English Division Two in July 2002, after a successful trial spell earned him a contract. He appeared in 126 league games including playoffs (136 in all competitions), with Swindon Town in four seasons with the club. Miglioranzi scored nine career goals for the club before heading to the Galaxy in the summer of 2006. 1999-2002: Miglioranzi signed with Portsmouth of English Division One and spent three seasons at Fratton Park. He appeared in just 25 games during an injury-plagued tenure with the club, scoring twice. Prior to signing with Portsmouth, Miglioranzi had a three-month trial with Everton of the English Premier League.

1999: Originally drafted in the Third Round of the 1999 MLS College Draft by the Chicago Fire, he elected to bypass MLS for a career in England.

College: Miglioranzi began his college career at Iona College in New Rochelle, N.Y. as a freshman in 1995 and was named MAAC Rookie of the Year. One year later he transferred to St. John’s University and was a member of the Red Storm’s 1996 NCAA Championship team. He was named an All-American in 1998.