SVP of Sporting Development, Major League Soccer
Ali Curtis serves as the Senior Vice President of Sporting Development for Major League Soccer, where he leads several aspects of the MLS enterprise.
Curtis is the Head of On-Field Innovation, which focuses on new on-field rules and concepts that help evolve the sport and positions MLS as a leader in innovation. Curtis also manages sporting and operations departments within MLS’ professional development league - MLS NEXT Pro – as well as oversees business and sporting operations of MLS’ youth academy system - MLS NEXT. Prior to his current role, Curtis was the SVP of Competition & Operations for MLS NEXT Pro, where he helped launch the league in March 2022.
Curtis previously served as General Manager of Toronto FC (2019-2021). During his tenure, the club won the Eastern Conference Championship and advanced to MLS Cup in 2019.
Hired by the New York Red Bulls in 2014, Curtis became the first African American General Manager in MLS history. Under his leadership as Sporting Director, the club won the 2015 Supporters’ Shield and achieved back-to-back first place finishes in the Eastern Conference.
Prior to his executive roles at MLS clubs, Curtis worked in the MLS League Office in the Player Relations and Competition Departments (2007-2014).
Before working in professional soccer, Curtis was an analyst at JP Morgan in Chicago and Los Angeles.
An accomplished player who spent four years in MLS, Curtis was a 2-time NCAA National Player of the Year and 3-time All-American at Duke University, where he was inducted into the Blue Devils’ Athletics
Hall of Fame in 2022. Curtis remains the All-Time Leading Goal-Scorer in Duke Soccer history. Selected second overall in the 2001 MLS SuperDraft by the Tampa Bay Mutiny, Curtis also went on to play for D.C. United and FC Dallas.
Originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan, Curtis resides in New Jersey with his wife and two children.
