FC Cincinnati today announced long-term contract extensions for Assistant Coaches Kenny Arena and Dominic Kinnear and Director of Goalkeeping Paul Rogers. The coaches are signed to remain long term in Cincinnati under third-year Head Coach for the Orange and Blue Pat Noonan, and alongside Assistant and Development Coach Ricardo Páez.
“We are fortunate to keep this staff together,” said Chris Albright, FC Cincinnati General Manager. “Between Dominic, Kenny, Ricky, and Paul, we have an incredible group of coaches. Their ability to teach and develop our players is vital to our club, and we are thankful to have them for the long-term.”
The four first-team assistant coaches return for their third season alongside Head Coach Pat Noonan in 2024. The current coaching staff has brought success to the club over the past two seasons, delivering a turnaround 2022 campaign which saw FC Cincinnati’s first MLS Cup Playoff appearance and win. The club soared to new heights in 2023, with the Orange and Blue possessing the best record in MLS and winning the Supporters’ Shield.
The staff has helped revitalize the Cincinnati defense, which allowed 39 goals in 34 regular season games, tied for the fifth-fewest goals conceded in Major League Soccer in 2023. The club’s defense also produced the MLS Defender of the Year, Matt Miazga. Cincinnati’s offense has catapulted the prior two seasons, with the Orange and Blue being one of two clubs to rank top-five in MLS in goals scored in each of the past seasons (Philadelphia Union).
2024 will mark the 10th season for Kenny Arena coaching in Major League Soccer and his 19th season coaching soccer at the highest level, a career which includes coaching in NCAA Division I and as an assistant coach with the United States Men’s National Team.
“I’m proud to extend my contract with FC Cincinnati,” said Arena. “I really enjoy being a part of this club and the quality of people I get to work with every day, and I’m thankful for the leadership and ownership group who support us. I look forward to bringing more success to the city and fans.”
The Charlottesville, Virginia native played college soccer at the University of Virginia from 1999-2002. In that time, he also played for the United States U-20 Men’s National Team, including at the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship. He was selected in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft by the MetroStars, where he played for two seasons before playing his final season of soccer with D.C United in 2005.
Dominic Kinnear’s third season in Cincinnati will mark his 24th professional season coaching in Major League Soccer. As head coach of the Houston Dynamo, Kinnear twice led the club to MLS Cup.
“I’m thankful to continue to work with this great organization,” said Kinnear. “I’m also fortunate to continue to work with good management, coaches, and people in addition to great owners, who help make this possible.”
As a player, Kinnear made 243 professional appearances, playing in Scotland, Mexico, and across the United States. Internationally, he earned 54 caps for the United States Men’s National Team, scoring nine goals and winning the 1991 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Having been with the club since its inaugural season in 2019, Ricardo ‘Ricky’ Páez is in his sixth season with FC Cincinnati.
A vital part of the staff on the field and in the locker room, Páez joined the FC Cincinnati Academy coaching staff in July 2019, and he served as head coach of the Orange and Blue’s U-17 squad until stepping in with the first team on the club’s interim coaching staff to close the 2021 season.
Prior to joining the FC Cincinnati Academy coaching staff, he coached in the Orlando City SC and Monteverde Academy (Fla.) organizations, as well as a stint as Head Coach of Miami United FC of the National Premier Soccer League in 2016. In his playing career, the Venezuelan international earned 64 caps for his country, scoring six international goals including at the 2007 Copa América. He played professionally for nearly 20 years across Europe, South America and Mexico.
As Director of Goalkeeping the previous two seasons for FC Cincinnati, Paul Rogers has overseen dramatic growth at the position for the Orange and Blue. As part of one of the deepest goalkeeper rooms in MLS, Roman Celentano has flourished under Rogers, being named a finalist for 2023 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year with his 12 clean sheets last season, third-most in the league.
“I would like to thank Chris and Pat for their leadership and trust,” Rogers said. “They have assembled a fantastic group of coaches and back room staff. Pat’s management of this group and team is second to none and a privilege to be part of.”
Rogers has also made Cincinnati a national hub for goalkeepers, with Rogers hosting a second-annual professional goalkeeper combine this past December at Mercy Health Training Center.
Prior stops for Rogers included seven seasons with the Houston Dynamo following time spent with the U.S. Women’s National Team, Canada Women’s National Team and at the NCAA Division I level.
Head Coach Pat Noonan signed a long-term contract extension with the club in October 2023. The five-man staff will remain intact for their third season together in 2024.
