Earnie Stewart - Sporting Director
Earnie Stewart was officially named Philadelphia Union’s Sporting Director on December 10, 2015. As Sporting Director, Stewart oversees and guides all Union technical and soccer-related decisions working closely with the Union First Team, Bethlehem Steel and the YSC Youth Academy. This technical leadership role is one the former U.S. National team and three-time World Cup veteran knows well from his previous role as Director of Football Affairs at AZ Alkmaar, a club he guided to Europa League qualification the last six consecutive seasons he was there.
Under Stewart’s technical guidance AZ has developed a reputation for its innovation, player recruitment, and player development methodology. In 2015, AZ Alkmaar was honored with the Rinus Michels Award for having the best youth academy in Dutch football.
Stewart was a crucial playmaker for the U.S. Men’s National Team throughout the 1990’s and early 2000’s, registering 101 caps for the team from 1990 until he retired in 2005. Stewart is just one of 17 players in United Sates Men’s National Team history to record 100 caps. He was a regular starter for USA in the 1994, 1998 and 2002 World Cups and his 111 goals as a professional in the Netherlands make him the highest-scoring American in international club play.
Stewart also played in MLS during the 2003 and 2004 seasons and was a member of the D.C. United team that won the MLS Cup in 2004.
In his first MLS SuperDraft as Sporting Director for Philadelphia , Stewart acquired the second, third and sixth overall picks, selecting Josh Yaro, Keegan Rosenberry and Fabian Herbers. Those rookies combined for 5,677 minutes played, the most by a rookie class in MLS in 2016. That was the most by a club’s Super/Supplemental draftees since 2006.
Stewart constructed a Philadelphia roster that reached the postseason for the second time in club history, while orchestrating the biggest acquisition in club history in Alejandro Bedoya. Philadelphia Union reached the playoffs for the second time in club history in Stewart’s first season.
Jim Curtin - Head Coach
Philadelphia Union Head Coach Jim Curtin joined the Union's first team on Nov. 29, 2012, after serving nearly two years an assistant coach with the senior squad before being named head coach in Nov. 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.
Philadelphia Union named Curtin as the Head Coach on Nov. 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 Finals 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. Under Curtin, the Union won eight matches at Talen Energy Stadium, the most wins at home by any team in club history. The Union also set multiple club records including goals scored (52), shots on goal (167), corner kicks (183), road goals (22), road assists (22) and tied a club record for goals scored at home (30).
During the 2016 season Curtin also became the Union’s all-time winningest coach in all competitions as well as MLS regular reason play. Philadelphia has never finished a season under .500 at home and owns a 25-9-8 record when scoring first under Curtin.
Curtin is a Philly native and resides in downtown Philadelphia with his wife Jen and three kids Ryan 9, Avery 6, and Miles 5.
Chris Albright - Technical Director
Chris Albright's role with the Union directly involves player management and movement. After joining the Union technical corps on Jan. 14, 2014, Albright has played a vital role in the team's scouting department, including the signing of Swiss National Team player Tranquillo Barnetta on July 29, 2015.
Albright was instrumental in bringing players to Philadelphia as the club reached the postseason for the second time in club history. Albright led the charge in acquiring midfielder Chris Pontius from D.C. United. Pontius led the club in goals in his first season with the Union and was tied for the most goals scored by an American player in MLS in 2016. Pontius was also voted the 2016 MLS Comeback Player of the Year.
Albright enjoyed an illustrious professional career that found him play for five MLS clubs and appear in 235 matches with career totals of 11 goals and 22 assists. The three-time MLS All-Star defender won MLS Cups with D.C. United in 1999 and with the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2002 and 2005. Albright also earned 22 caps with the U.S. Men’s National Team and was a member of the 2006 FIFA World Cup team in Germany.
A Philadelphia native, Albright ended his career where it began and now resides in suburban Philadelphia with his wife Leah, and his three children, Liam, Wyatt and Ava.
Mike Sorber - Assistant Coach
Mike Sorber remains the only former U.S. international to have played for and coached the United States in a FIFA World Cup. He joined the Union with over 10 years of coaching experience and holds a USSF “A” Coaching License. Sorber helped orchestrate Philadelphia Union into a playoff team in 2016, a team that set a club record for goals and assists in a season. Sorber will be inducted into the St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame on October 19, 2017.
In 1992 Sorber signed with the USMNT on a full-time contract in preparations for the 1994 World Cup. Sorber joined UNAM Pumas in Mexico where he appeared in 51 matches in over two seasons with Pumas. Sorber collected league honors, which included being first American player ever to be named a Mexican League All-Star before joining MLS with the Kansas City Wiz.
In his first season with Kansas City, Sorber appeared in 28 games while recording four goals. Sorber led the Wiz to a third place finish and a Conference Finals appearance. The following season Sorber transitioned with the MetroStars, where he led them to a third place finish and a playoff appearance in his second year.
After his third season with the MetroStars, Sorber was acquired by Chicago before the 2000 campaign. Sorber played in 24 matches for Chicago and was a runner-up in the MLS Cup.
With the United States Men’s National Team, Sorber earned his first cap in 1992 and would go on to finish with 67 caps and two goals. In 1994, Sorber was part of the USMNT World Cup squad, playing in 18 games including starting all four World Cup games against Switzerland, Colombia, Romania, and Brazil. In 1998 Sorber helped the U.S. Team qualify for the 1998 World Cup in France but was named as an alternate to the final roster.
Sorber began his coaching career in 2001, working as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Saint Louis University. He joined the USMNT in 2007, where he worked under Bob Bradley. During his time on staff as an assistant coach with the USMNT, captured the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup, knocked off No. 1 Spain in the 2009 Confederation Cup in South Africa, where they finished 2nd, after falling to Brazil in the final 2-3.
Sorber also coached the 2010 USMNT FIFA World Cup squad that finished first in Group C and advanced to the Round of 16. The Missouri native spent two seasons with the Montreal Impact (2011-2013) before joining the Philadelphia Union..
B.J. Callaghan - Assistant Coach
B.J. Callaghan joined the Philadelphia Union First Team in June 2014 under Jim Curtin, beginning as the goalkeeper coach and was shortly thereafter promoted to his current position of assistant coach. His roles include, but are not limited to, on-field coaching, pre- and post-match video analysis, and college scouting. Prior to his First Team involvement, he spent the previous two years working with the Philadelphia Union/YSC Academy.
Callaghan has been crucial in designing and creating complex and effective set pieces plays for Philadelphia. In 2016 Philadelphia Union recorded 10 goals from set piece plays during MLS regular season competition. Those 10 goals from set piece plays were the fifth most scored in all of MLS.
Callaghan came to the Philadelphia Union after spending six years at Villanova University, rising to the level of Associate Head Coach. While at Villanova, he was involved in all aspects of the program, and helped lead the team to three straight Big East playoff appearances, including the 2011 Big East Semifinals — the highest finish in program history.
Callaghan graduated in 2003 from Ursinus College with a degree in Economics and Business Administration, and has held many coaching positions within the local soccer community, working with FC Delco, Montgomery Soccer Club, and EPYSA/Region I ODP programs. He currently holds a USSF "A" License.
Oka Nikolov - Goalkeepers Coach / Assistant Coach
Oka Nikolov was named Goalkeepers Coach for Philadelphia Union in December of 2015. Nikolov returned to Philadelphia after played for the Union during the 2013 season. Nikolov spent 22 years at Eintracht Frankfurt, including 19 seasons with the senior team where he appeared in more 370 Bundesliga games, including making a league-record 14 saves in a match against Bayern Munich.
After Frankfurt, Nikolov joined the Philadelphia Union in July 2013. He then finished his club career with Fort Lauderdale Strikers, of the North American Soccer League, in 2014. Internationally, Nikolov appeared in five games for Macedonia.
After retiring from play in 2014, Nikolov joined the Eintracht Frankfurt Talent Academy as a coach. He also currently serves as the assistant coach for the Macedonian National Team. Prior to that, Nikolov worked as a goalkeeping coach for the German Under-19 National Team.
In his first season as at the helm, Nikolov guided three keepers who made MLS starts in 2016. Andre Blake, John McCarthy and Matt Jones all made appearances in net for the Union. Under Nikolov’s guidance, Blake was named the 2016 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year.
Paul Rushing - Head Athletic Trainer
Rushing is entering his seventh year as Head Athletic Trainer for the Philadelphia Union. Prior to that, Paul was the Head ATC for the Men’s U-17 US Soccer Residency Program in Bradenton, Fla., where he served from 2005 to 2010. Prior to working with the Residency Program, he worked at IMG Soccer Academy from 2002 to 2005. From 2001 to 2002 he was employed by St Anthony’s Hospital as a staff athletic trainer.
Paul received his Bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training from Western Illinois University in 2001. Prior to college, Paul was enlisted in the United States Navy from 1989 to 1997, serving in Operation Desert Storm, and earning several service medals and awards during that time.
Paul currently resides in West Grove, Pa. with his wife Kristen. Paul has 2 daughters, Stephanie and Emily.
Josh Gros - Team Coordinator
Josh Gros knows what it takes to win a Major League Soccer Championship. A four-year starter for D.C. United, Gros helped lead the Black and Red to the 2004 MLS Cup in his first season. Heading into 2015, Gros will be in his sixth season as Team Coordinator, with his primary responsibilities involving many areas of team operations and administration.
Selected by D.C. United in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft, Gros was immediately inserted into the starting lineup, becoming the club’s first draft pick to log more than 2,000 minutes. Known for his tireless work ethic, the Rutgers graduate logged over 9,000 minutes in 110 games, resulting in nine goals and 14 assists. Gros earned a cap with the U.S. Men’s National Team in a 2-0 victory over archrival Mexico on February 7, 2007. An unfortunate series of concussions forced the 2006 MLS All-Star into early retirement at the end of the 2007 season.
Prior to returning to MLS, Gros spent 18 months working as a civil engineer for VIKA, Inc., in Virginia. He continued to stay involved in soccer, however, serving as an assistant coach with the Northern Virginia Royals of the USL Premier Development League.
Garrison Draper - Performance Director
Steve Hudyma - Assistant Athletic Trainer
Brandon Comisky - Equipment Manager
Dan Nolan - Equipment Manager
Kyle McCarthy - Technical Coordinator
Terence McFadden - Scouting Analyst
Brad Papson - Physical Therapist
Steve Mathews - Team Chiropractor
David Webner -Team Doctor - Sports Medicine
Chip Hummer - Team Doctor - Orthopedic
Jim McGlynn - Team Doctor - Orthopedic
