Joe Hafferty

Joseph Hafferty (born March 21, 1998) is an American soccer player who currently plays for USL Championship side Lexington SC.

Joe Hafferty

Personal information
Full name	Joseph Hafferty
Date of birth	(1998-03-21) March 21, 1998 (age 27)
Place of birth	Renton, Washington, United States
Height	1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Position(s)	Defender
Team information
Current team	Lexington SC
Youth career
2013–2017	Seattle Sounders
College career
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2017–2020	Oregon State Beavers	61	(2)
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2017	Seattle Sounders 2	1	(0)
2021–2022	Tacoma Defiance	29	(2)
2023	Austin FC II	27	(1)
2023	Austin FC	0	(0)
2024–2025	Las Vegas Lights	26	(1)
2025–	Lexington SC	1	(1)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of January 14, 2025

Career

Youth

Hafferty has been with the Seattle Sounders FC Academy since 2013. On February 2, 2017, it was announced that he signed a letter of intent to play college soccer at Oregon State.^[1][2] On March 26, he made his debut for USL club Seattle Sounders FC 2 in a 2–1 defeat to Sacramento Republic.^[3]

College

Hafferty played college soccer at Oregon State University, and was a three-time All-Pac-12 selection, including back-to-back First Team nods as a junior and senior. During his time with the Beavers, Hafferty made 61 appearances, scored 2 goals and tallied 7 assists. His senior season saw him start all 8 games in an abbreviated senior season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.^[4]

Professional

Tacoma Defiance

Hafferty was drafted by Inter Miami CF in the second round of the 2021 MLS SuperDraft.^[5] On May 16, 2021, it was announced that Seattle Sounders FC had acquired the rights on Hafferty from Inter Miami on draft day, and would join Seattle's USL Championship side Tacoma Defiance.^[6]

Austin FC II

Hafferty transferred to the MLS Next Pro team Austin FC II on March 16, 2023, signing a one-year contract with a two year option.^[7] On September 20, 2023 he was called up to the Austin FC first team squad, on a short-term loan.^[8] At the end of the 2023 MLS Next Pro regular season, Hafferty was named to the 2023 MLS Next Pro Best XI.^[9] Hafferty was a starting center back for Austin FC II when they won the 2023 MLS Next Pro Cup, beating the Columbus Crew 2 by a score of 3–1.^[10]

Las Vegas Lights

Hafferty moved to the USL Championship side Las Vegas Lights on February 13, 2024.^[11]

Lexington SC

In January 2025, Las Vegas transferred Hafferty to Lexington SC for a club-record transfer fee.^[12][13]

Career Statistics

As of October 22, 2023^[14]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	League	Season	League		National cup		Continental		Other		Total
			Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Seattle Sounders FC 2	United Soccer League	2017	1	0	–		–		–		1	0
Tacoma Defiance	USL Championship	2021	9	0	–		–		–		9	0
	MLS Next Pro	2022	22	2	–		–		–		22	2
	Total		32	2	—		—		—		32	2
Austin FC II	MLS Next Pro	2023	27	1	–		–		4[a]	0	31	1
Career total			59	3	0	0	0	0	4	0	63	3

1. Appearance(s) in MLSNP Playoffs

Honors

Club

• Austin FC II
  • MLS Next Pro Cup: Champions – 2023

Individual

• 2023 MLS Next Pro Best XI^[9]