David Raphael's journey was never going to be full of sunshine and roses. In some respects, his soccer journey could have been cut short at numerous points throughout his upbringing.
The youngest of nine, the Haitian native and University of San Francisco freshman has had to work tirelessly for every opportunity. Raphael's mother passed away when he was young, a massive burden for any family to shoulder.
In his early years of practicing soccer with his older brothers, it became apparent that the game came naturally to him.