Former D.C. United boss to take reins of FC Toronto
Former D.C. United CEO Kevin Payne is set to become president of FC Toronto on Wednesday, the Toronto Star reported.
Payne, 59, resigned his position with D.C. United on Tuesday. He had worked with the Major League Soccer club since its founding in 1996, building one of the league's most successful franchises.
In his new role with FC Toronto, Payne will lead the business and soccer operations for a franchise that has never made the playoffs in its six years in MLS and had the worst record in the league in 2012.
Payne knows how to build a winner. Under his guidance, D.C. United won four MLS Cup titles and finished runner-up once.
In leaving D.C. United, payne offered a statement Tuesday that said: "Thank you so much for the great privilege of having been part of the D.C. United family. I'm very excited about the next phase of my life."
Payne also is a member of the MLS board of governors and the league's marketing and competition committees.
One of the decisons he'll face in Toronto is whether to retain coach and director of soccer operations Paul Mariner, who took over the team in June after it started 1-9. FC Toronto finished the season with a 14-match winless streak.
