Jim Curtin - Head Coach

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.