PHILADELPHIA (AP) – Jim Curtin was fired Thursday by the Philadelphia Union, a two-time MLS coach of the year after 11 seasons and one League Cup final appearance.

The Union won just nine matches this season, finished 12th in the Eastern Conference and missed the MLS Cup play-offs for the first time since 2017.

Under Curtin, the Union won the 2020 Supporters’ Shield and reached the 2022 MLS Cup final. They have also been a three-time US Open Cup finalist and twice reached the Concacaf Champions Cup semi-finals.

Curtin, 45, one of MLS’s most respected and successful coaches over the past decade, has been signed to a contract through the 2026 season. Philadelphia is eighth among 29 teams that have changed coaches since the start of the 2024 season.

Union, which plays in Chester, Pennsylvania, did not immediately name an interim coach.

“Jim was an outstanding leader and an integral part of our team’s success throughout his tenure,” Union owner Jay Sugarman said in a statement. “I have had the privilege of watching him become one of the best coaches in the league and deliver strong results and unforgettable moments that will be etched in our club’s history.”

Curtin was hired in 2014. He had a record-breaking 2022 season in which the Union reached their first MLS Cup final, most wins (19), most goals scored (72) and fewest goals allowed (26).

Curtin was named MLS coach of the year twice in 2020 and 2022, finishing first in the league’s Eastern Conference both times.

Other teams changing coaches this season include Nashville’s Gary Smith (May 16), Atlanta’s Gonzalo Pineda (June 3), Dallas’ Nico Estévez (June 9), San Jose’s Luchi Gonzalez (June 24), St. Louis’ Bradley Carnell (July). 1), Austin’s Josh Wolff (Oct. 6) and Chicago’s Frank Klopas (October 19).

NBA star Kevin Durant has a small stake in the franchise.

“We realized the need for change after the 2024 season,” said Sporting Director Ernst Tanner. “We will continue to evaluate our sports strategy this off-season and make necessary changes to best prepare our team for success.”

A native of the Philadelphia area, Curtin was the Big East Rookie of the Year at Villanova and played eight years in MLS before joining the Union as a coach in their academy system in 2010. The Union had had two head coaches since its inception in 2010 before Curtin worked his way through the organization and was hired as head coach in 2014.