Athletes
Bio
- 5’4 midfielder
- Hometown: Largo, FL
- Acquired by Orlando Pride on December 24, 2020 via trade
- Appeared in 21 matches for Orlando in 2021
- Ranked among top NWSL rookies in minutes played (2017)
- Made professional debut on April 22, 2017 vs. Orlando Pride
- 29th overall selection in the 2017 NWSL College Draft by the Washington Spirit
- U.S. Under-23 Women’s National Team Pool Player (2016-now)
- University of Florida career stats (2013-2016): 94 games (89 starts), 7,331 minutes, 14 goals (five game-winners), 25 assists, and 53 total points
- Played for the Washington Spirit Reserves in the W-League (2015) and the Women’s Premier Soccer League (2016)
- 2016 awards and accolades: NSCAA Scholar All-America First Team, All-America Third Team, All-South Region First Team, All-SEC First Team, SEC Tournament Most Valuable Player, Senior Class Award nominee, and MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List
- 2015 awards and accolades: All-South Region Second Team and All-SEC First Team, and All-SEC Tournament selection
- Attended the U.S. Under-15 Girl’s National Team camp at the U.S. Soccer Federation National Training Center in 2011
Watch Dougherty Howard’s highlights here.
Alex Touche
Defender, Union Omaha (USL)
Bio
- 6’3″ Defender
- Education: University of Pennsylvania
- Started in 43 of 44 games in three seasons at UPenn, scoring 8 goals and 14 clean sheets
- Named Club Captain as a Junior at UPenn (2019)
- Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year (2019)
- Mainstay for USL League 2’s Albuquerque Sol, made 23 appearances and 3 goals
- Currently plays for USL League 1’s Union Omaha
- Scored an equalizing goal in 122′ in the third round of the 2022 U.S. Open Cup to send the match to penalties
- Watch the goal here
Paul Christensen
Goalkeeper, Greenville Triumph SC (USL)
Bio
- 6’1 goalkeeper
- From Woodinville, WA
- Currently plays goalkeeper for USL League 1’s Greenville Triumph
- February 2018: signed first professional contract with Atlanta United 2 (USL)
- Selected by Atlanta United FC (MLS) in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft
- 2018 MLS Combine invitee and participant
- Two-time WCC Goalkeeper of the Year (2016 & 2017)
- No.5 all-time leader in University of Portland program history in shutouts (20) and saves (283)
- United Soccer Coaches All-Far West Region Second Team (2017)
- All-WCC First Team (2017)
- All-WCC Second Team (2016)
- Three-time ACC All-Academic (2015, 2016, & 2017)
- 2015: Recorded 85 saves – ranks No.1 in school’s all-time single-season record books
- Part of the U-17 National Team Residency from 2011 to 2013
- Earned 22 international caps at the U-17 level
- Played for the Washington ODP and the Region IV ODP
- Played with the U.S. U-15 Youth National Team
- 2011 adidas U-15 Golden Glove Winner
Watch Christensen’s University of Portland highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AAaDvmkwts
Ben Stitz
Midfielder, FC Cincinnati 2(MLS)
Bio
Lou Fusz Athletic
Bio
- Official MLS NEXT Club
- Founded as Lou Fusz Soccer Club in 1992
- Complex now includes soccer, lacrosse, football and cheerleading
- Sees approximately 1.5M visitors per year
- More than 10,000 athletes and families of athletes made up of 200 soccer teams, 50 lacrosse teams, 20 football teams, and cap/recreational players
- Teams compete locally, regionally and nationally in tournaments and leagues
- https://www.loufuszathletic.com/
Leadership
Jeff Curtin
Managing Director
Bio
Jeff Curtin is the Managing Director of IPZ & Soccer. As a former MLS player, Curtin brings a wealth of soccer experience in the youth, collegiate, and professional environments. Jeff’s business background in project management combined with his vast soccer knowledge provides valuable and unique insight to our clients. He connects easily with athletes who appreciate his calm demeanor, knowledge, and strong work ethic.
Prior to joining the IPZ team, Jeff had a successful playing career. Curtin attended Georgetown University, where he was a four-time All-League Selection and All-American. Following his collegiate career at Georgetown, Jeff was drafted #14 overall in the 2006 Major League Soccer Super Draft by the Chicago Fire. Curtin was a member of the Chicago Fire team that won the US Open Cup in 2006. After two seasons of playing for the Fire, Jeff moved on to play for D.C. United for the 2008 season.
During Curtin’s time as a player and following his retirement from the MLS, he gained experience in scouting talent, as well as conducting both coaching and training clinics for numerous top level youth clubs including the youth development programs of the Chicago Fire and Philadelphia Union. His brother, Jim Curtin—also a former MLS player—is currently the head coach of the Philadelphia Union.
Jeff holds a BS in Business Management from Georgetown University.
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