How Jim Curtin developed a culture of success and style for his union

The more comfortable Jim Curtin was in his role as Union manager, the better his team did.

Overall, the progress has been completely across the board.

In the early days of Curtin’s rise in the club, there was always an impressive level of dress, which didn’t always fit the Oreland native naturally.

Suits, ties and dress shoes were mandatory and were, in fact, tailored by clubs for coaches to wear as sideline gear. Curtin did so in the image of others, trying to manage a club that was still seeking direction.

“Rewind first,” Curtin began, sitting in the club’s movie room earlier this month. “When I got my first job here as an interim coach, I was wearing a full suit, very dressed up, and had to worry about matching suit with tie, shirt, and dry cleaning all the time. did not.”

» Read more: Jim Curtin knew this year’s Union was going to be good. He didn’t expect them to be this good.

Curtin said it was the five years that went that route alongside the superstition of stepping out of the suit during a period of success that played a role in Curtin’s revelation that fans quickly found the Union sidelines today. He usually wears a revolving door of lululemon athletic pants, a signature sweatshirt, and custom sneakers. A big part of that is the various colors of the all-time classic Nike Air Jordan 1.

If Philadelphia has had a terrifying two years under the real threat of COVID-19, it has been the easing of restrictions at clubs, where suit jackets have been replaced with hoodies and Oxfords have been replaced by Nikes. Replaced with SB Danks. Curtin’s shoe game is so intertwined with manager Jim Curtin that it has its own Instagram page, which is run independently.

“It’s the only good thing I’ve gotten from the pandemic in my life,” joked Curtin, who estimates he has over 250 pairs of sneakers in his collection. “At the time, it was a bubble environment. [2020 preseason] I wore Yeezys a few times in Florida and decided to pick them up and wear Jordans on the sideline. The league wanted to fine me. Nike came out on top, offered a deal, and the rest is history.”

A deal with Nike allowed Curtin’s shoe game, and in many ways his style and confidence, to blossom. This is the Conca Cafe his Champions, a gateway tournament that will lead to his team becoming one of the best teams in Major League Soccer and the chance to represent his MLS domestically in the postseason and represent North America in FIFA. It coincides with being on the international stage facing other top teams in the league. club world cup.

With Curtin taking the initiative and doing things his own way, the team is one game away from winning the MLS Cup in 2021. Eastern starts another MLS playoff run this week as the top seed in his conference.

We have to be people…and express ourselves in different ways. ”

– Union head coach Jim Curtin

Inspiration and creation foster collaboration. Brian Nadav, owner of Center City boutique Lapstone and Hammer, found Curtin roaming the side streets for a creative spark. He consulted with Curtin and several players to design Union’s signature collection. The collection, which is for sale on Lapstone’s website, will also be available at the union team’s store in Subaru Park ahead of Thursday’s game against Cincinnati (8 p.m., Fox Sports 1, Fox Deportes).

Nadav explained that the vision for a collection featuring an array of t-shirts, sweatshirts and a signature coach jacket began years ago, but given its decades-long league partnership with adidas, Not without resistance from MLS.

“I don’t want to speak ill of anyone because I am so grateful and truly honored for this opportunity,” Nadav said as he unveiled prototypes of pieces priced from $40 to $200 at his Creation Street store. said while “But the league has to learn from this as it continues to bubble up into a space considered a major sports entity. We pitched this whole concept back in February. They put it on the desk I was told it would take four months to make. So from June he should be ready and ready to go by July. Believe it or not, he didn’t get final approval from MLS until September. ”

Now through Lapstone, Union and MLS seem to have found a gateway.

“In any case, we are very grateful to MLS for finally approving us and letting us do our work,” Nadav said. “And of course, it is very special for the Philadelphia Union to share this moment this season. The sky is the limit here, so we are very happy to have this opportunity to join them in riding this wave.”

Philly obviously raised Jim Curtin.

He has affinities for everything. Perhaps that’s why he feels like a sidekick to so many people who innately love the club.He’s obsessed with Philadelphia’s sports his team, and he and his family visit Queens every summer. He can be seen roaming the streets and shores of his village.

If you’re a soccer mom or dad out of town, chances are you’ve noticed Curtin’s high tops… at his kids’ soccer games.

“My kids keep me young, that’s for sure. They tell me when I try too hard or when things don’t work out,” joked Curtin. “It’s the only way for me to keep my cool and talk to the players. I’m old and I don’t hang out with them anymore. But it’s the only thing we can have.” We can all appreciate a nice new pair of sneakers, and when we talk about new sneakers, I’m in the conversation too. [Air] Once Jordan released, I would walk in and they would say, ‘Hey, Coach, did you get it? It’s how I express myself and let them know that they have the freedom to express themselves here. ”

From MLS Defender of the Year to Union Academy coach to first team assistant to now award-winning manager, all stages of Curtin’s career have had no personification of style that Curtin has been able to master. . But ever since he claimed freedom for himself and his team, the sky is truly the limit and more people are starting to realize it.

“Look, I’m 43 now, so father first and that’s the most important thing in my life. Bigger than a football, bigger than sneakers,” Curtin said. “[But in doing my job], which is a good way to break the ice. When we play we always want to win. But even outside the field you have to express yourself in different ways. I think we’ve had a tremendous amount of success since we started thinking that way as a club. ”

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