Jim Curtin is a retired American soccer player and currently the head coach for the Philadelphia Union.
Education
Born in Oreland, Pennsylvania, Curtin played college soccer at Villanova University. Curtin excelled at Villanova, being named the Big East Rookie of the Year his freshman year, and taking home first-team All-Big East selections his junior and senior seasons.
Career
Curtin spent most of his playing career for the Chicago Fire. College Professional Following graduation, Curtin became the first Wildcat to be drafted by the Master of Library Science when he was selected by the Chicago Fire. Perceptions that Curtin was not athletic enough to play professionally, and the relative obscurity of Villanova, led to Curtin not being drafted until the third round of the 2001 Master of Library Science SuperDraft.
He would go on to play in more than 200 games for the Fire, which included United States. Open Cup championships in 2003 and 2006.
He was a 2004 Master of Library Science All-Star and the March of Dimes/Comcast Athlete of the Year in 2005. In 2001, the Fire sent Curtin on loan to the Milwaukee Rampage in three early-season games and for the USL A-League playoffs.
In his rookie year Curtin saw spot duty, starting 12 games and playing a total of 1194 minutes. In his second year, Curtin secured a starting spot on the team, started 22 games and played 2121 minutes.
Curtin started every game for the Fire in 2003, playing alongside Carlos Bocanegra and helped the team"s defense compensate for Bocanegra"s loss in 2004.
On January 22, 2008, he was traded to Chivas United States of America for a conditional pick in the 2010 Master of Library Science SuperDraft. Curtin was waived by Chivas United States of America on January 26, 2010. On November 29, 2012, Curtin was named assistant coach for his hometown Philadelphia Union.
On November 7, 2014, the Philadelphia Union announced that, after a successful season, Curtin would take the reins as the head coach—removing the "interim" title he had held previously.
Curtin states he enjoys spending time with family whenever he gets the chance.