Sporting Director

Philadelphia Union hired Earnie Stewart to take over as the club ’ s Sporting Director on Oct . 26 , 2015 . He officially started with the club on Dec . 7 .

As Sporting Director , Stewart oversees all Union technical and soccer-related decisions , working closely with the Union First Team , USL team and Youth Academy .

HOME AWAY TOTAL

P 36 33 69

W 18 6 24

L 9 18 27

T 9 9 18

Jim Curtin was named head coach of the Philadelphia Union on Nov . 7 , 2014 after taking 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 appearance in franchise history . Philadelphia lost to eventual Supporters ’ Shield winners Seattle Sounders in extra time , 3-1 . He brought the Union back to the final in 2015 , but they fell again , but in penalty shootout this time .

This technical leadership role is one the former U . S . National team and three time World Cup veteran knows well from his time as the Director of Football Affairs at AZ Alkmaar , a club he has guided to Europa League qualification the last six consecutive seasons .

Under Stewart ’ s technical guidance AZ 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 staple 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 . He was a regular starter for USMNT 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 .

Curtin joined the Union ’ s first team on November 29 , 2012 , serving close to two years an assistant coach with the senior squad .

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 .

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 he was selected by the Chicago Fire . The 2004 MLS All-Star played over two hundred 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 .

Curtin retired from the MLS in 2009 and moved back to Philadelphia with his wife Jen .