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Union's consultant moving on

Once again, the Union are looking for a head of soccer operations. The team's CEO and operating partner, Nick Sakiewicz, said Monday that Rene Meulensteen's six-month term as consultant will end this month and will not be extended. Meulensteen is leaving for personal reasons, Sakiewicz said.

Once again, the Union are looking for a head of soccer operations.

The team's CEO and operating partner, Nick Sakiewicz, said Monday that Rene Meulensteen's six-month term as consultant will end this month and will not be extended. Meulensteen is leaving for personal reasons, Sakiewicz said.

Jim Curtin is the Union's head coach and Chris Albright is technical director, directly involved in player management and movement in addition to coaching decisions.

Sakiewicz has been the object of recent fan derision. The Sons of Ben supporters group showed its dissatisfaction with the team's direction in a pregame demonstration Sunday before a 1-0 win over D.C. United at PPL Park.

The Union have made the Major League Soccer playoffs just once, in 2011. They are 2-7-3 this season, but the win Sunday was their most impressive performance.

Meulensteen is a former youth coach at Manchester United and highly respected in the soccer world.

"He will be sending us his final report, which we will then review and consider all of his analysis and recommendations," Sakiewicz said in a letter he wrote to the fans.

Sakiewicz wrote that finding Meulensteen's replacement is the highest of priorities. He thanked the fans for their support.

The Union's average attendance during the first six games this season at 18,500-seat PPL Park is 17,579.