Toronto FC announced today that Ali Curtis has been named as the club’s new general manager effective immediately. Tim Bezbatchenko has departed his role as senior vice president, soccer operations and general manager to pursue another opportunity.
“Ali brings great MLS experience having been a player, an executive in the league office and as New York Red Bulls Sporting Director. His work with the Red Bulls saw the club become Supporters’ Shield winners, while strengthening their academy and the pathway for youth players to become professionals. We needed to move quickly and decisively and we are excited to get right to work with Ali, beginning with next week’s draft,” said Toronto FC President Bill Manning. “With this exciting change comes the departure of a valued executive and friend, but we understand Tim’s desire to pursue a new challenge. On behalf of everyone at Toronto FC we want to thank Tim for his contributions to the club over the past five years. Tim played a big part in helping TFC win multiple trophies and we wish Tim, Annie and their family all the best in the future.”
Curtis, 40, joins Toronto FC after most recently serving as sporting director for the New York Red Bulls. During his time with the Red Bulls, he oversaw the club win the 2015 MLS Supporters’ Shield and finish with the best record in the Eastern Conference in 2016. Curtis also helped establish NYRB II the club’s USL team to continue the development of players from the academy through to the first team. In the club’s second season, NYRB II captured both the Regular Season Title and the 2016 USL Cup.
Prior to joining the Red Bulls, Curtis worked in the MLS league office for eight years and held the position of senior director of player relations and competition before joining the Red Bulls. As a player, Curtis was awarded the M.A.C. Hermann Trophy as the top male collegiate soccer player in the United States in 1999. He won M.A.C. Player of the Year in 2000 and remains Duke University’s all-time leader in goals scored with 53. Curtis was drafted second overall in the 2001 MLS SuperDraft by the Tampa Bay Mutiny and remained in the league for three seasons.
