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BEHIND THE STRIPES

Liam Curran

By Atlanta United FC

February 3^rd, 2021

10,000 miles from home. Atlanta United Goalkeeper Coach Liam Curran has traveled around the world for the beautiful game.

Curran started playing with his dad in Australia when he was a young lad . His dad both played and coached, so he was around the game often. As Curran started out, he played several positions on the field. A few years later when he was 12 years-old, he found his place on the pitch with a pair of gloves.

“One day, our keeper never showed up, so the coach asked if anyone was up for going in goal,” Curran shared. “I said I would give it go, end up having a decent game and really enjoyed it, so from that day on, goalkeeper was my position.”

Curran continued to play until he was 18, when he had an opportunity to move to the States to play at the college level. He started at Schoolcraft College, then transferred to Xavier University for his last two years. Right out of college, Curran started his coaching career. His first job landed him in the Peach State at Georgia Southern University where he earned his Master’s degree in Kinesiology and was a Graduate Assistant Coach for their team.

After finishing his Master’s, Curran traveled back north to Ohio where he coached under the current head coach of the Columbus Crew, Caleb Porter, at the University of Akron. Within two years in 2010, Akron won the NCAA National Championship which included former Atlanta United midfielder Darlington Nagbe.

After a few years in Ohio, Curran made his way back to the South, where he landed a job at Clemson University. At Clemson, he worked with a handful of players and staff that ended up working with him at Atlanta United, the next stop in his career.

“I guess we all enjoyed working together that much so we found a way to do it again,” Curran said with a laugh.

Curran started as Head of Academy Goalkeeping, working with Atlanta United’s Academy keepers when he arrived in Atlanta. He was a part of winning the U15/16 U.S. Soccer Development Academy National Championship in the club’s inaugural season which, outside of experiencing the 2018 MLS Cup victory, is his favorite memory with the club.

“Winning the D.A. finals in that first season will be there as a favorite," Curran shared. "“Working day-in-day-out with Tony and that group of players, winning the club’s first trophy, it was a good first year and something for us to build on."

When ATL UTD 2 launched in 2018, Curran took on the role of Goalkeeper Coach in addition to his duties with the Academy, holding both positions through the end of 2019.

“Doing both the Academy and A2 was hectic at times,” Curran shared with a smile. But I loved being on the pitch more, working with all the goalkeepers, and being around the other coaches. It was a good period of growth in my professional life.”

Finally all his hard work paid off. On February 18, 2020, Curran was called up to the first team as Goalkeeper Coach.

“I appreciate the club has looked to promote from within the organization, providing an opportunity for the staff to progress in our careers,” Curran expressed. “As a goalkeeping staff, we developed a way of working, sharing similar ideas and methods, so there was a consistency within the department and meant a smooth transition into the role. I’m grateful to Carlos [Bocanegra] for the opportunity, to Tony [Annan] for bringing me to Atlanta five years ago, and for the time I got to spend working with Aron [Hyde]. I just want to try and help push the club forward and do my part to ensure we are successful.”

Curran transitioned into coaching at a relatively young age, gaining valuable experiences along the way, all of which helped prepare him for his current role with the first team.

“Football has always been a big part of my life. It’s taught me many lessons over the years, opened doors to new experiences, and introduced me to some fantastic people,” Curran said with a smile. “I am grateful for every opportunity and don’t take anything for granted.”

When Curran isn’t on the pitch coaching, he’s home with his beautiful family: his wife, daughter and son. He hopes to pass on his love for the beautiful game to his children, just like his father did for him.

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