Cincinnati's Pat Noonan named MLS Coach of the Year

The 43-year-old American oversaw Cincinnati's rise from a last-place club to the 2022 MLS playoffs and this year's top mark at 20-5 with nine drawn for 69 points. The Eastern Conference champions are set to host Philadelphia on Saturday in an MLS quarter-final playoff match. Cincinnati's first Supporters' Shield win for best record included a 13-2-2 home record and a league-best 14 wins in one-goal matches.

Noonan, a former Philadelphia assistant coach, won with 45% of the total votes from players, team technical staff and a media panel. He set the pace among players and staff but was edged in media voting by South African Bradley Carnell of St. Louis, who was second overall on 27.78%.

Cincinnati's lineup featured a trio of MLS All-Stars in Argentine midfielders Luciano Acosta and Alvaro Barreal and US defender Matt Miazga. Noonan scored 42 goals in 183 MLS matches over a 10-year career with New England, Columbus, Colorado, Seattle and the Los Angeles Galaxy.

 

November 21, 2023