Perry Kitchen, an NCAA College Cup champion who was drafted No. 3 overall in the MLS SuperDraft and owns U.S. Men's National Team experience, has joined the Butler men's soccer program as an assistant coach.
Butler head coach Ian Sarachan made Kitchen his first staff hire after Kitchen most recently served as an ambassador and coach with Hoosier Premier Academy.
"I am thrilled to welcome Perry, his wife Alexa and their two children, Colt, and Chloe to the Butler family," stated Sarachan. "Perry brings a wealth of experience, on and off the field, which I am excited for him to share with our players. His ability to not only help our players develop on the field, but also as human beings, is a tremendous asset to our program moving forward."
Kitchen's pro career spanned more than 10 seasons and two continents. He was the third overall pick in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft, landing first at D.C. United. He was a finalist for the 2011 MLS Rookie of the Year and was later voted the club's MVP in 2013, the year in which his side won the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The defensive midfielder scored a career-high five goals in 2014 to complement his four assists that season.
In 2016, Kitchen signed with Heart of Midlothian in the Scottish Premiership, ultimately rising to the role of team captain. He then moved over to the Danish Superliga club Randers and played through 2017.
Kitchen returned to MLS competition in 2018 after signing with LA Galaxy. Over three seasons on the west coast, he made 60 appearances with 52 starts in the defensive midfield. He finished his professional competition with the Columbus Crew in 2021 and 2022, though his tenure with the club was limited by injuries.
In addition to his international experience at the club level, Kitchen played with various U.S. National Teams. He represented Team USA at multiple youth levels, most notably captaining the U-17 team at the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Nigeria. He also featured for the U-20s and U-23s, which included Olympic qualifying.
Kitchen earned five senior caps with the USMNT beginning in 2015, making his debut in a friendly win over Panama that February. He was later part of the 23-man squad that Jürgen Klinsmann called up for the Copa América Centenario on home soil in May 2016.
In his only season of collegiate soccer, Kitchen led Akron to the 2010 NCAA title. He started 25 matches for the Zips during the 2010 campaign, scoring six goals and adding an assist. The All-MAC First Team selection scored an unassisted goal during Akron's win over Michigan in the College Cup national semifinal. His side went on the win the championship match.
Kitchen, who is a member of the Indiana Soccer Hall of Fame Class of 2025, holds a USSF B license. The Indianapolis native graduated from Akron with a degree in business. He and his wife, Alexa, along with their children, Colt and Chloe, currently reside in Greenwood.
