Gene Thompson
Gene Thompson is a dedicated goalkeeper coach based in Rochester, NY, working with both collegiate goalkeepers at the University of Rochester and youth players in Brockport. His coaching style is direct, focused, and built around leadership, discipline, and smart decision-making—on and off the field.
Originally from Lyndonville, NY, Gene is a U.S. Army veteran and former college goalkeeper at Monroe Community College. He brings a mix of real-world discipline and high-level soccer experience to every session, helping players handle both the mental and physical demands of the position.
Gene’s goalkeeper training goes beyond shot-stopping. He focuses on teaching players how to:
Read the game
Communicate with defenders
Stay involved with their feet
React under pressure
Whether he's preparing high school players for college soccer or helping younger athletes build strong fundamentals, Gene delivers position-specific training that sharpens instincts, builds confidence, and prepares goalkeepers to play with purpose.
Patrick Regna
Patrick Regna is an experienced goalkeeper coach based in Rochester, NY, currently coaching with RNY FC, one of the region’s top youth soccer academies. In addition to his academy work, he provides individual goalkeeper trainingfor players looking to sharpen their skills and elevate their game.
A native of Greece, NY, Patrick played college soccer at Monroe Community College (MCC), where he earned First Team NJCAA All-America honors in 2006 and Honorable Mention All-American status in 2005. He was also a two-time All-Region selection and led MCC to the 2006 Region III Championship.
Following MCC, he continued his career at the University of South Carolina Upstate (NCAA Division I). After college, he joined the Rochester Rhinos before a career-ending injury shifted his focus to coaching.
Today, Patrick brings his playing experience and goalkeeper expertise to every session—offering structured, high-rep, position-specific training to help young athletes improve their technique, decision-making, and confidence in goal.
Ben Cross
Ben Cross brings top-tier coaching experience from Major League Soccer to NY Finisher & GK Camp. With six years as a First Team Assistant Coach in MLS, Ben has helped shape elite-level players at the highest level of American soccer.
Most recently, Ben spent two seasons with FC Dallas, where he played a key role in the club’s back-to-back playoff appearances. Before that, he served three seasons with the Columbus Crew, contributing to the team’s 2020 MLS Cup Championship and 2021 Campeones Cup title.
His development-focused approach was evident during his time as Columbus Crew Academy U18/19 Head Coach, where he earned U.S. Soccer Development Academy Central Coach of the Year and led his team to the national semifinals.
Ben's roots in coaching run deep in the Rochester area. He spent over a decade with Empire United Academy, was named Northeast Division Coach of the Year, and helped elevate youth talent in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy system.
Today, Ben leads the University of Rochester men’s soccer program as Head Coach, where he’s already guided the team to a top-three finish in the University Athletic Association and coached multiple All-Region and All-UAA players in his first season.
He holds the USSF Pro License, MLS Elite Formation Coaching License, and other top-tier credentials that reflect his deep understanding of the game and his ability to coach at every level—from MLS to youth development.
At camp, Coach Cross brings professional-level insight, structured sessions, and a focus on preparing goalkeepers and finishers to think and train like top-level players.