Athletes
Bio
Philadelphia Union Head Coach Jim Curtin joined the Union’s first team on November 29, 2012, after serving nearly two years an assistant coach with the senior squad before being named head coach in November 2014.
A native of Oreland, PA, Curtin joined the Union staff at the academy ranks in June 2010 after joining YSC Sports in Wayne as the director of curriculum development. Additionally, Curtin was the Union’s Under-18 Academy head coach and was instrumental in the U-18s capturing the 2012 Generation Adidas Cup.
Curtin attended Villanova University, where he was named Big East Rookie of the Year in 1997 and a three-time team MVP for the Wildcats. The All-American defender was a two-time first team All-Big East selection in 1999 and 2000 and was the 2001 Philadelphia Soccer Seven Player of the Year. He became the first player from Villanova to be drafted into the MLS when selected by the Chicago Fire in 2001.
The 2004 MLS All-Star played more than 150 games for the Fire as was named Chicago’s defender of the year in 2004 before finishing his final two seasons in the league with Chivas USA in 2008 and 2009.
Curtin was named Coach of the year in 2020 and 2022, becoming the youngest two-time recipient of the honor and fifth coach overall in league history to win the award multiple times. In 2022, Curtin led the team to a historic run to become Eastern Conference Champions for the first time in club history.
Philadelphia Union named Curtin as the Head Coach on November 7, 2014 after he took over as interim team manager on June 10, 2014. Curtin quickly made his mark on the first team as interim manager, leading the Union to its first U.S. Open Cup Final in franchise history. Philadelphia lost to eventual Supporters’ Shield winners Seattle Sounders in extra time, 3-1, in the 2014 championship. Philadelphia finished with a 5-1-4 record at Talen Energy Stadium after Curtin took over managerial duties for the Union.
In 2015, Curtin led the Union to the U.S. Open Cup Final for the second consecutive year where they faced Sporting Kansas City at Talen Energy Stadium on Sept. 30. After 90 minutes of regular time and thirty minutes of extra time, the Union fell to Sporting KC in the eighth round of penalty kicks.
In the 2016 campaign, Curtin led Philadelphia to their second postseason appearance in club history. In 2018, Curtin again led the Union to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final, while also clinching an MLS Cup Playoffs berth for the third time in team history as well as the second time in two seasons. During the 2018 campaign, the Union reached 50 points for the first time in team history. The club also set a new record for most road wins in a season.
Curtin is a Philly native and resides in downtown Philadelphia with his wife Jen and three kids Ryan, Avery, and Miles.
Bio
- 5’4 midfielder
- Hometown: Largo, FL
- Acquired by Orlando Pride on December 24, 2020 via trade
- Appeared in 21 matches for Orlando in 2021
- Ranked among top NWSL rookies in minutes played (2017)
- Made professional debut on April 22, 2017 vs. Orlando Pride
- 29th overall selection in the 2017 NWSL College Draft by the Washington Spirit
- U.S. Under-23 Women’s National Team Pool Player (2016-now)
- University of Florida career stats (2013-2016): 94 games (89 starts), 7,331 minutes, 14 goals (five game-winners), 25 assists, and 53 total points
- Played for the Washington Spirit Reserves in the W-League (2015) and the Women’s Premier Soccer League (2016)
- 2016 awards and accolades: NSCAA Scholar All-America First Team, All-America Third Team, All-South Region First Team, All-SEC First Team, SEC Tournament Most Valuable Player, Senior Class Award nominee, and MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List
- 2015 awards and accolades: All-South Region Second Team and All-SEC First Team, and All-SEC Tournament selection
- Attended the U.S. Under-15 Girl’s National Team camp at the U.S. Soccer Federation National Training Center in 2011
Watch Dougherty Howard’s highlights here.
Alex Touche
Defender, Free Agent
Bio
- 6’3″ Defender
- Education: University of Pennsylvania
- Started in 43 of 44 games in three seasons at UPenn, scoring 8 goals and 14 clean sheets
- Named Club Captain as a Junior at UPenn (2019)
- Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year (2019)
- Mainstay for USL League 2’s Albuquerque Sol, made 23 appearances and 3 goals
- Currently plays for USL League 1’s Union Omaha
- Scored an equalizing goal in 122′ in the third round of the 2022 U.S. Open Cup to send the match to penalties
- Watch the goal here
Paul Christensen
Goalkeeper, Free Agent
Bio
- 6’1 goalkeeper
- From Woodinville, WA
- Currently plays goalkeeper for USL League 1’s Greenville Triumph
- February 2018: signed first professional contract with Atlanta United 2 (USL)
- Selected by Atlanta United FC (MLS) in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft
- 2018 MLS Combine invitee and participant
- Two-time WCC Goalkeeper of the Year (2016 & 2017)
- No.5 all-time leader in University of Portland program history in shutouts (20) and saves (283)
- United Soccer Coaches All-Far West Region Second Team (2017)
- All-WCC First Team (2017)
- All-WCC Second Team (2016)
- Three-time ACC All-Academic (2015, 2016, & 2017)
- 2015: Recorded 85 saves – ranks No.1 in school’s all-time single-season record books
- Part of the U-17 National Team Residency from 2011 to 2013
- Earned 22 international caps at the U-17 level
- Played for the Washington ODP and the Region IV ODP
- Played with the U.S. U-15 Youth National Team
- 2011 adidas U-15 Golden Glove Winner
Watch Christensen’s University of Portland highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AAaDvmkwts
Ben Stitz
Midfielder, FC Cincinnati 2(MLS)
Bio
Lou Fusz Athletic
Bio
- Official MLS NEXT Club
- Founded as Lou Fusz Soccer Club in 1992
- Complex now includes soccer, lacrosse, football and cheerleading
- Sees approximately 1.5M visitors per year
- More than 10,000 athletes and families of athletes made up of 200 soccer teams, 50 lacrosse teams, 20 football teams, and cap/recreational players
- Teams compete locally, regionally and nationally in tournaments and leagues
- https://www.loufuszathletic.com/
Leadership
Jeff Curtin
Managing Director
Bio
Jeff Curtin is the Managing Director of IPZ & Soccer. As a former MLS player, Curtin brings a wealth of soccer experience in the youth, collegiate, and professional environments. Jeff’s business background in project management combined with his vast soccer knowledge provides valuable and unique insight to our clients. He connects easily with athletes who appreciate his calm demeanor, knowledge, and strong work ethic.
Prior to joining the IPZ team, Jeff had a successful playing career. Curtin attended Georgetown University, where he was a four-time All-League Selection and All-American. Following his collegiate career at Georgetown, Jeff was drafted #14 overall in the 2006 Major League Soccer Super Draft by the Chicago Fire. Curtin was a member of the Chicago Fire team that won the US Open Cup in 2006. After two seasons of playing for the Fire, Jeff moved on to play for D.C. United for the 2008 season.
During Curtin’s time as a player and following his retirement from the MLS, he gained experience in scouting talent, as well as conducting both coaching and training clinics for numerous top level youth clubs including the youth development programs of the Chicago Fire and Philadelphia Union. His brother, Jim Curtin—also a former MLS player—is currently the head coach of the Philadelphia Union.
Jeff holds a BS in Business Management from Georgetown University.
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