Technical Director
Curt Onalfo at a Glance:
- Named Technical Director in June 2019, bringing extensive MLS coaching experience to the club, including stints as head coach of the Kansas City Wizards, D.C. United, and LA Galaxy.
- Oversees New England’s pro player pathway and spearheaded the launch of Revolution II, the club’s MLS NEXT Pro development team.
- Guided the Revolution Academy to the 2022 MLS NEXT Cup Under-19 national championship.
- An MLS Cup winner as both a player (1999) and a coach (2011, 2012, and 2014).
- Served as an assistant coach under Bruce Arena with the U.S. Men’s National Team and LA Galaxy, and played for Arena at the University of Virginia.
Curt Onalfo is entering his fifth season as Technical Director of the New England Revolution after his appointment to the position on June 2, 2019. In his role, Onalfo works closely with Sporting Director Bruce Arena to manage the club’s day-to-day soccer operations, including oversight of New England’s pro player pathway inclusive of Revolution II, the Revolution Academy, and the scouting department. In his four seasons with the club, Onalfo has helped guide the Revolution back to the MLS Cup Playoffs on three occasions, while seeing the Academy’s Under-19 side win the club’s first national championship at MLS NEXT Cup in 2022.
Upon his arrival in New England in June 2019, Onalfo spearheaded the launch of Revolution II ahead of its inaugural 2020 season in USL League One. His efforts elevated the club’s player development process by providing a fully defined pathway from the Academy to the professional ranks, facilitating growth through higher-level competition and a professional structure. In its three seasons of existence, Revolution II has paved the way for 42 players to make their professional soccer debuts, including 25 current and former members of the Revolution Academy.
Onalfo has overseen a renaissance in the club’s Academy following the establishment of the new MLS NEXT Academy league. In the last two seasons, the Revolution Under-15 team reached the 2021 MLS NEXT Cup Quarterfinals and the Revolution Under-19 side won the 2022 MLS NEXT Cup Championship. In addition, eight Revolution Academy players have signed directly to Revolution II, while three additional players have been inked to Homegrown Player contracts with the first team.
The Sao Paulo, Brazil native and Ridgefield, Conn. product brings experience to the Revolution that includes an extensive coaching and playing career in Major League Soccer and with the United States Men’s National Team. Onalfo owns 13 years of MLS coaching experience, highlighted by stints as head coach of D.C. United (2010), the Kansas City Wizards (2007-09), and the LA Galaxy (2017). While continuing as an assistant with the Galaxy, he also served as the inaugural head coach of USL Championship side LA Galaxy II from 2014-16, where he led the club to a Western Conference title in 2015. When he departed “Los Dos” to take over head coaching duties with the Galaxy first team, his overall record with the developmental side finished at 46-29-20.
On the international level, Onalfo spent six years as an assistant coach for the United States Men’s National Team under Bruce Arena. He served as an assistant for the USMNT from 2002-07 – including at the 2002 and 2006 FIFA Men’s World CupTM – and also worked as an assistant with the U.S. Under-23 MNT in 2002. Prior to joining the Revolution, he most recently assisted the U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team from 2018 through May 2019, including in Poland at the FIFA U-20 Men’s World CupTM, and briefly served as acting head coach of the U-19 side for a training camp in January 2019.
Onalfo, 51, entered the coaching ranks an assistant with D.C. United in 2000 following his retirement. He remained with the Black and Red until September 2002, briefly serving as interim head coach in 2001. After his time in the U.S. Men’s National Team setup, Onalfo was appointed head coach of the Kansas City Wizards shortly after the 2006 FIFA Men’s World Cup. He led Kansas City for two-and-a-half seasons, compiling a 27-29-22 record, and helped the club reach the postseason twice, including a Western Conference Finals appearance in 2007. In December 2009, Onalfo was named head coach of D.C. United, where he would remain for eight months before departing the club.
After starring as a defender at Ridgefield High School in Connecticut, Onalfo played collegiately for Bruce Arena at the University of Virginia from 1987-1990. In four seasons as a defender with the Cavaliers, he earned a pair of All-ACC First Team selections and helped the team win the 1988 ACC Championship. He began his professional career with French side La Ciotat in 1991, before featuring for the Connecticut Wolves of the USISL from 1994-95, and Mexican second division side Tampico Madero in 1995.
Onalfo was selected by the LA Galaxy in the inaugural MLS Draft and would make 13 appearances for the club in 1996, helping it reach the first ever MLS Cup. The defender went on to register 23 appearances across four seasons in MLS, spending additional time with San Jose (1997) and D.C. United (1998-99). He recorded one international cap with the U.S. Men’s National Team and featured extensively at the youth level, including the 1989 FIFA World Youth Championship, the 1991 Pan American Games, and the 1992 Summer Olympics.
Onalfo’s journey took a detour soon after the 1992 Olympics, when a diagnosis of stage three Hodgkin’s disease at the age of 24 disrupted his career and nearly ended his life. After surviving his arduous battle with cancer, Onalfo resumed his playing career with Connecticut and then Mexican side Tampico FC, before joining the Galaxy for the inaugural MLS season.
Originally born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Onalfo is a fluent Spanish and Portuguese speaker.