Jim Curtin to be named permanent Union coach

Jim Curtin, who was named interim manager of the Union after John Hackworth was fired on June 10, will be named the permanent coach during a news conference Friday, according to a team source.

Whether Curtin will also have personnel duties could not be confirmed.

Curtin took over a Union team that was 3-7-6 in Major League Soccer action under Hackworth this season.

Under Curtin, the team went 7-5-6 in MLS games. In addition, the Union reached the final of the U.S. Open Cup, losing to Seattle, 3-1, in extra time. It was the first championship game appearance in the five-year history of the franchise.

The Union battled for a playoff spot but were eliminated with two regular-season games left after losing, 3-2, to visiting Columbus, part of a 0-2-2 stretch.

Curtin was an assistant coach with the Union for nearly two years before being named interim manager. He will be the team's third coach. Peter Nowak was the original coach and led the Union to their only playoff berth in 2011. He was replaced by Hackworth in the middle of the 2012 season.

Curtin, who played at Bishop McDevitt High and Villanova, was a defender in MLS and a 2004 all-star with the Chicago Fire.

@sjnard