Ali Curtis
Ali Curtis (born December 18, 1978) is an American soccer administrator and former player. He is currently the General Manager of Toronto FC in MLS. He was the 1999 Hermann Trophy and 2000 MAC Award winner before playing in Major League Soccer from 2001 to 2004. He last served as the sporting director of the New York Red Bulls.
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Date of birth | December 18, 1978 | ||
Place of birth | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | ||
Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) | ||
Position(s) | Forward | ||
College career | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1997–2000 | Duke Blue Devils | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2001 | Tampa Bay Mutiny | 20 | (2) |
2002–2003 | D.C. United | 37 | (6) |
2003 | Dallas Burn | 8 | (1) |
Total | 65 | (9) | |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only |
Career
College
A native of Ann Arbor, MI, Ali Curtis had an extraordinary career playing college soccer at Duke University, where he scored 53 goals and 28 assists from 1997 to 2000, and, in his junior season won the Hermann Trophy, and in his senior season won the MAC Award, both recognizing college soccer's best player. He ranks as the all-time leading goal-scorer in Duke soccer history.[1]
MLS
After graduating from Duke, Curtis was drafted second overall in the 2001 MLS SuperDraft by the Tampa Bay Mutiny.[2] From 2001 through 2004, Curtis spent time with three MLS Clubs - Tampa Bay Mutiny, D.C. United and FC Dallas (formerly Dallas Burn).
Post-playing career
After Curtis's playing career, he worked for the investment bank JP Morgan from 2004 through 2007. In 2007 Curtis returned to MLS and held various positions in the league office, and was eventually appointed the league's Senior Director of Player Relations and Competition.
On December 23, 2014, the New York Red Bulls hired Curtis to replace Andy Roxburgh as the club's sporting director. In his first season in charge New York captured the Eastern Conference regular season title and the MLS Supporters' Shield. After another winning season in 2016, Curtis left the Red Bull organization shortly before the 2017 season after reported differences with head coach Jesse Marsch.
On 4 January 2019, Curtis was named the general manager of Toronto FC.[3]
References
- "Curtis signs with MLS". Soccer America. January 31, 2001.
- Brewington, Peter (April 26, 2001). "Mutiny's Curtis makes bid for rookie honors". USA Today.
- https://www.torontofc.ca/post/2019/01/03/ali-curtis-named-toronto-fc-general-manager