Rumors that Ali Curtis is out as sporting director of the New York Red Bulls are right now just that, a bunch of talk, with the team squarely focused on preparation for the upcoming 2017 MLS SuperDraft. Rumors ran on Wednesday evening and into Thursday morning that Curtis, the architect of the 2015 Supporters Shield winning team, was possibly out from his role atop the team’s technical side. The rumor seem to be packaged with another dose of rumors and sources from several national sites that head coach Jesse Marsch was heading to Europe to coach one of the Red Bull teams on the continent. On Thursday morning, Metro exclusively broke the news that Marsch was not leaving his job in New York and was in fact headed to Los Angeles for this week’s MLS SuperDraft. The team issued a statement several hours later affirming this report from Metro. But that still left the door open on Curtis and speculation about his future with the team after two successful seasons in New York, especially significant after a sizable rebuild project in 2015.
“There are no announcements regarding the sporting department. Any statements currently in the press are rumors; the club does not comment on rumors,” a Red Bulls spokesperson told Metro.
The spokesperson went on to say that the organization is focused on the upcoming SuperDraft.
On Thursday morning, Curtis had to cancel his speaking engagement at the NSCAA Convention, held in conjunction with the week of events by MLS in Los Angeles.
The reason, a league source told Metro is, not necessarily clear at this moment.
“Due to unforeseeable circumstances, Ali was not be able to attend the remaining sessions of the combine and the MLS SuperDraft,” the source said. He is currently on a flight back to the tristate area. Where he might crisscross in flyover country with Marsch, who is expected in Los Angeles to join his coaching staff sometime tonight.
Source: No changes to Red Bull front office; Ali Curtis has left LA, Marsch expected tonight
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