In 1982, he signed with the Rochester Flash of the second American Soccer League where he earned Rookie of the Year honors.
[2] In 1987, Paonessa joined the Albany Capitals as they played an independent schedule.
In 1989, the Capitals did not offer Paonessa a contract and he moved to the New Jersey Eagles.
[3] He also played for the Memphis Storm of the American Indoor Soccer League[4] In December 1990, the New York Kick of the National Professional Soccer League signed Paonessa who had been painting houses.
He then played for the Greek American AA of the Cosmopolitan Soccer League.