Union stay with Curtin as head coach

Union CEO Nick Sakiewicz said he heard from more than 200 applicants from all over the world for the team's coaching job after John Hackworth was fired on June 10.

As it turns out, Sakiewicz didn't have to look past Philadelphia.

As expected, Jim Curtin, who was interim manager, was named the Union's third head coach on Friday.

Curtin took over a Union team that was 3-7-6 in Major League Soccer. The team went 7-5-6 in MLS games under him. In all competitions, he was 11-6-6 and helped guide the Union to the U.S. Open Cup final, where they lost to Seattle, 3-1 in extra time.

"I believe that the relationship between the first-team coach and the chief executive officer of the club is the most vital relationship in the club," Sakiewicz said Friday at a news conference. "Jim proved to me that he was the best candidate out of all those very good coaches that could have that relationship with the CEO and the owners and the investors of the club."

Curtin, 35, is a Philadelphia resident, a graduate of Bishop McDevitt High and Villanova who was a hard-nosed MLS defender and a 2004 all-star with the Chicago Fire.

He passionately roots for the other professional teams in town and understands the great opportunity he has to coach in his own backyard.

"It's special," Curtin said. "I'd say it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I mean that literally. I get one shot at this and then it will be done."

Curtin was not named manager. Sakiewicz would not say whether he would hire a general manager, stating that the Union are constantly evaluating the front-office structure.

For now, Curtin will make the personnel decisions in conjunction with team technical director Chris Albright during what is expected to be a busy offseason.

The Union failed to make the playoffs for the fourth time in the team's five-year history, fading down the stretch.

"I am here to win and get the team back to the playoffs where we belong," Curtin said.

There will be several expected offseason moves. Curtin touched on some of the situations.

Midfielder-defender Amobi Okugo's contract is up. Curtin said the team would make an offer to retain his rights but added that Okugo is looking to play in Europe.

Curtin admitted that the goalkeeping logjam will likely be broken up. It consists of two-time Algerian World Cup keeper Rais Mbolhi, who enters next season as the starter, Zac MacMath, who started 29 of 34 games, and Andre Blake, the No. 1 overall pick in the MLS SuperDraft, who played in just one MLS game for the Union.

"I don't want to reveal too much, but there is interest in Zac," Curtin said. He added, "Andre is a candidate to get loaned out."

Curtin said he hopes that midfielder-defender Maurice Edu comes back, and if so, it would likely be as a center back.

The coach said the team hopes to add a striker and is looking for more size and speed. He also said he expects the majority of last year's starters to return.

@sjnard