Sports molded practically every dimension of Philadelphia Union Head Coach Jim Curtin. Mentors left indelible imprints on him as well. And the West Chester region shaped other aspects of his life, given that his Oreland native roots were only 33 miles away.
The 42-year-old competitor, who now lives in Queen Village, says the tri-state athletic hotbed served him well both personally and professionally, as noted by him leading the Union soccer team in the 2020 season to their first Supporters' Shield trophy, an annual award given to the Major League Soccer team with the best regular season record, as determined by the MLS points system.
"The Union team is about relationships. I want to be there for the players as human beings first. What our group believes in -- on and off the field -- is important, which allows us to trust each other," explains Jim. "Yes, wins and losses are also clearly important, along with tactics, formations, Xs and Os. But, along the way, my mindset shifted to understanding matches aren't based on the traditional notion of 80% talent/20% psychological. They're more like opposite of that, with the percentages flipped."
Jim joined Union's first team on Nov. 29, 2012, after serving nearly two years as an assistant coach with the senior squad before being named head coach in November 2014.
The 6-foot-4-inch soccer defender recalls his childhood athletic training was playing whatever sport was in season. "I grew up with a football family, and I played baseball and ran track when I wasn't playing soccer. I encourage all kids to play various sports to become well-rounded, and not to specialize in one sport too soon," says Jim. "If kids are focused on Santa Claus, it's time to slow down and let them explore different sports. Let them help make their own decisions, and diversify at that age to avoid injuries in young athletes."
He reminds that scouts are everywhere for games, including the Union's stadium, Subaru Park, as well as practices. "You never know who's watching how players are interacting with teammates, so you should always give it your all, do things the right way, every time."
Career Soccer Summary
Jim played high school soccer at Bishop McDevitt High School, a Catholic, college-preparatory, coeducational school. He excelled in college soccer at Villanova University, being named the Big East Rookie of the Year his Wildcats freshman year, and taking home first-team All-Big East selections his junior and senior seasons. His rookie year with Chicago Fire saw 12 starts and a registered 1,194 minutes.
- Big East Rookie of Year: 1997
- All-Big East Selection: 1999, 2000
- Philadelphia Soccer Seven Player of Year: 2000
- MLS All-Star: 2004
- Chicago Fire Defender of Year: 2004
- March of Dimes/Comcast Athlete of Year: 2005
- Villanova University Hall of Fame: Class of 2017
- Philadelphia Union U.S. Open Cup Runner-up: 2014, 2015, 2018
- MLS Coach of Year: 2020
"I wasn't the most gifted professional soccer player, however I was a student of the game. I wasn't the fastest, either. But I kept a notebook, and I studied ways to improve jumping and sprinting. All along, I thought a bit like a coach. I tried to be a role model player and I got the chance to play on really good teams," Jim remembers.
Transitioning to coaching was a natural step for Jim, who recognized it's also a teaching position. "Coaching is often about helping players find their own roles on teams. Most of us aren't Michael Jordans. So it's about how to get the most from each of us. Every week, we prepare, and like teaching, our tests occur on Saturdays in front of 20,000 others," he adds.
Due to COVID-19 factors, the Union's 2021 season started later on April 18 and will end on Nov. 7. Jim says the COVID period was a unique time for the team, with practicing within bubbles in small high school spaces. He adds the 45 days of isolation and personal Zoom conferences, however, did bond them in a never-ending manner.
Jim is the longest serving Philadelphia Union coach to date: Peter Novak 2010-2012; John Hackworth 2013-2014 (started mid-2012); and Jim Curtin 2015 to present (started mid-2014).
What Attracted Jim To Soccer?
"My dad shaped me, and encouraged me to put everything into doing my best while also staying level-headed. He'd say, 'Do your talking on the field by keeping your head down and playing hard.' I learned the value of being a humble athlete. Win, lose or draw, I strived to be a good teammate. Those approaches and lessons kept me grounded, and I wanted to show my dad that I was good but could be better," Jim says.
Villanova Coach Larry Sullivan also taught Jim leadership lessons, he confirms. "As team captain we didn't always win, but I learned how to deal with adversity."
Jim says getting selected to play professional soccer included beneficial timing and a little luck. "As a 21-year-old, I was with other players who thought like assistant coaches. It was a comprehensive environment that made you think like a coach, and I really enjoyed it," he adds.
Life Lessons
Jim anchors life around his family: Wife, Jen, and three children, Ryan, 13, Avery, 10, and Miles, 9 years old, and their Golden Mountain Dog pup, Teddy.
"With only 11 starters in soccer, a team has 12 to 30 players who must react and respond to that. One better be ready to support the other guys so they're not letting each other down. I'm most proud of the underpinning culture we've built. Talent only gets you so far," remarks Jim, who references that Philly and Pennsylvania have a ton of talented athletes, and a wealth of good ones.
He says it's important to value cultural diversity and what that element adds to any type of team. He's particularly proud that the Union franchise has signed players from 15 other countries.
Jim says the Union team has three pillars: 1) build from within by choosing the region's players first because there's a belief in the Philadelphia area; 2) promote a cohesive team because a unified group of 11 can beat opposing superstars or individual superstars; and 3) apply innovation, starting with recruitment and the way analytics are used. He adds that they also intentionally create a unique environment with student-directed learning.
Union's Legacy
Deliberately homegrowing soccer players rather than securing splashy European players is an approach the Union's staff embraced. "Owners of the Union were thinking 5 to 10 years down the road. They had area youths as great models. We realized this is who we are, and we decided to build the team in a unique way. We decided to get through both good and bad periods together," says Jim.
The Philadelphia Union Academy is where Jim and others learned many tips through the club and expansion teams. "A big piece of my heart is still in the Academy. It's the engine of our club. It's so inspiring to see young children soaking up the game like sponges," Jim reveals.
A couple of years ago, Jim proclaimed he wanted Union to be known as a club that develops players for the United States national team, and he's done just that.
"Our guys aren't scared to take the challenges of facing anybody. But our success and the international publicity has put some targets on our backs now, and we can no longer sneak up on anybody," Jim quips.
Now Union is known globally for producing stellar players, such as Mark McKenzie, who plays as defender for Belgian Pro League club Genk and the U.S. national team, as well as Brenden Aaronson, who now plays as a midfielder for Austrian Bundesliga club Red Bull Salzburg.
"We've got our own feeder system, and the foundation is really in place now. But we can't get complacent. I'm so happy for the players being contracted to other countries -- some of them I've seen playing soccer since they were 8 or 9 years old. Making life-changing results and careers is what it's all about," declares Jim.
"As a hometown soccer athlete myself, I feel extra pressure because I don't want to let anyone down, especially fellow residents. Union jerseys are seen all around now, and fans recognize us. The game continues to grow and we have eyes on us. We have a family friendly park, with just the right amount of loudness, excitement and craziness, " he says.
On May 11, 2009, the Philadelphia Union's name crest, and colors were officially announced. "Union" alludes to the union of the Thirteen Colonies, of which Philadelphia was the first capital. The name was chosen following a fan poll held between Jan. 19, 2009 and Feb. 6, 2009. The team's official motto: "jungite aut perite," a Latin translation of the phrase "join or die," also was used in a 1754 Benjamin Franklin political cartoon. The Philadelphia Union's name and colors also allude to the state's important role during the Civil War.
