Jim Curtin
Encyclopedia
Jim Curtin is a former American
soccer defender known for his time with the Chicago Fire.
at Villanova University
. Curtin excelled at Villanova, being named the Big East Rookie of the Year his freshman year, and taking home first-team All-Big East selections his junior and senior seasons.
In 2008, Curtin moved on to Chivas USA where he played two seasons before retiring after the '09 season.
Perceptions that Curtin was not athletic enough to play professionally, and the relative obscurity of Villanova, led to Curtin not being drafted until the third round of the 2001 MLS SuperDraft
. In his rookie year Curtin saw spot duty, starting 12 games and playing a total of 1194 minutes. In his second year, Curtin secured a starting spot on the team, starting 22 games and playing 2121 minutes. Curtin started every single game for the Fire in 2003, playing alongside Carlos Bocanegra
and helped the team's defense compensate for Bocanegra's loss in 2004.
On January 22, 2008, he was traded to Chivas USA
for a conditional pick in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft.
Curtin was waived by Chivas USA on January 26, 2010.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soccer defender known for his time with the Chicago Fire.
College
Curtin played college soccerCollege soccer
College soccer is a term used to describe association football played by teams who are operated by colleges and universities as opposed to a professional league operated for exclusively financial purposes...
at Villanova University
Villanova University
Villanova University is a private university located in Radnor Township, a suburb northwest of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States...
. Curtin excelled at Villanova, being named the Big East Rookie of the Year his freshman year, and taking home first-team All-Big East selections his junior and senior seasons.
Professional
Following graduation, Curtin became the first Wildcat to be drafted by the MLS when he was selected by the Chicago Fire. He would go on to play in more than 200 games for the Fire, which included U.S. Open Cup championships in 2003 and 2006. He was a 2004 MLS All-Star and the March of Dimes/Comcast Athlete of the Year in 2005.In 2008, Curtin moved on to Chivas USA where he played two seasons before retiring after the '09 season.
Perceptions that Curtin was not athletic enough to play professionally, and the relative obscurity of Villanova, led to Curtin not being drafted until the third round of the 2001 MLS SuperDraft
2001 MLS SuperDraft
-Round 1:-Round 2:-Round 3:-Round 4:-Round 5:-Round 6:-External links:*...
. In his rookie year Curtin saw spot duty, starting 12 games and playing a total of 1194 minutes. In his second year, Curtin secured a starting spot on the team, starting 22 games and playing 2121 minutes. Curtin started every single game for the Fire in 2003, playing alongside Carlos Bocanegra
Carlos Bocanegra
Carlos Manuel Bocanegra is an American soccer player who plays for Scottish Premier League club Rangers and is the captain of the United States national team.-Chicago Fire:...
and helped the team's defense compensate for Bocanegra's loss in 2004.
On January 22, 2008, he was traded to Chivas USA
C.D. Chivas USA
Club Deportivo Chivas USA is an American professional soccer club based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California that competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada....
for a conditional pick in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft.
Curtin was waived by Chivas USA on January 26, 2010.