Toronto FC appointed Ali Curtis as general manager on Thursday morning, replacing Tim Bezbatchenko, who is leaving to pursue another opportunity. MLSsoccer.com's Sam Stejskal first reported on Wednesday that the club and Curtis were in advanced discussions. Bezbatchenko reportedly left the club to become president of Columbus Crew SC.
Curtis most recently worked as sporting director of the New York Red Bulls for two seasons, in 2015 and 2016. Under his leadership, the club won the 2015 Supporters' Shield, created USL side New York Red Bulls II, which won both the 2016 USL Shield and USL Cup. He reportedly interviewed for the Crew SC's vacant front-office position in December.
TFC will look to rebound in 2019 after a disappointing 2018 campaign hampered by injuries following their MLS Cup-Supporters' Shield-Canadian Championship treble in 2017.
Curtis, a MAC Hermann trophy winner at Duke and an MLS player from 2001 to 2004, joined the Red Bulls from the MLS league office, where he served as senior director of player relations and competition.
In his role with the league Curtis managed MLS club budgets, negotiated player contracts, supervised the MLS Homegrown Player program and participated in ongoing collective bargaining agreement negotiations.
