Speaker Profile

Ali Curtis was named Senior Vice President of Competition & Operations for MLS NEXT Pro in December 2021.  In his role he oversees multiple areas including competition, medical, security, operations and player relations.

Prior to joining MLS NEXT Pro, Curtis served as General Manager for Toronto FC from 2019 to 2021. During his time in Toronto, the club won the Eastern Conference Championship and advanced to MLS Cup in in 2019. Additionally, in 2020, the club finished with the second-best record in the regular season and top signing, Alejandro Pozuelo, won the MLS MVP Award.

Curtis was previously the Sporting Director for New York Red Bulls. When he was hired in 2014, Curtis became the first African-American general manager in MLS history. Under his leadership, Red Bulls won the 2015 Supporters’ Shield, achieved back-to-back first place finishes in the Eastern Conference and advanced to the 2017 quarterfinal stage of the CONCACAF Champions League.  Curtis also oversaw the creation of USL side New York Red Bulls II, who won the 2016 USL Shield and USL Cup.

From 2007-2014, Curtis worked in Major League Soccer’s League Office. He served most of his time in the League Office as the Senior Director of Player Relations and Competition Department. Prior to working in MLS’s League Office, Curtis was an analyst at JP Morgan in Chicago and Los Angeles.

Curtis had a standout collegiate career at Duke University, where he was a three-time All-American and back-to-back national Player of the Year, winning the Hermann Trophy his junior season and the MAC Award as a senior. Curtis remains the all-time leading goal scorer (53) at Duke and was inducted into their Athletics Hall of Fame in December 2022. After graduating, he was selected second in the 2001 MLS SuperDraft by Tampa Bay. He went on to play in MLS from 2001 to 2004 with three teams, Tampa Bay, D.C. United and Dallas.

Originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan, Curtis resides in New Jersey with his wife and two children.