Curt Johnson (soccer)
Soccer executive who led multiple clubs to championships.
Curt Johnson is an American soccer executive currently serving as the general manager of Denver Summit FC in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). He grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina, and played college soccer for the NC State Wolfpack. His front-office career began as general manager of the Richmond Kickers, followed by stints with the Kansas City Wizards, the Carolina Hurricanes, and US Club Soccer. From 2011 to 2024, he was president and general manager of North Carolina FC, and from 2017 to 2024, he held the same roles for the North Carolina Courage.
Johnson attended Ravenscroft School and played for the Capital Area Soccer League before joining NC State, where he appeared in 72 matches from 1987 to 1990, captained the team as a senior, and helped the Wolfpack win an ACC Championship and reach the NCAA semifinals. After his playing days, he returned to NC State as an assistant coach and earned a degree in communications studies. He was inducted into the North Carolina Soccer Hall of Fame in 2013.
His first executive role was with the Richmond Kickers in the A-League, where he served as vice president of operations and general manager from 1997 to 1999, and the team won the Atlantic Division in 1998. He then became general manager of the Kansas City Wizards, hired by Lamar and Clark Hunt. Under his watch, the Wizards won both the MLS Supporters' Shield and MLS Cup in 2000, and later the U.S. Open Cup in 2004. Johnson also helped facilitate the club's ownership transfer from the Hunt family to OnGoal, LLC.
Before joining North Carolina Football Club in 2011, Johnson worked as the Carolina Hurricanes' director of marketing from 2007 to 2008 and later for US Club Soccer, where he developed youth growth strategies for both boys and girls. As president of the Carolina RailHawks (later North Carolina FC), his first season saw the team win the NASL regular season title with a league-record 13-game unbeaten streak. From 2012 to 2014, the RailHawks became known for upsetting MLS teams in the U.S. Open Cup, beating five such opponents—including the LA Galaxy three times—and reaching the quarterfinals twice.
In 2015, Johnson oversaw the RailHawks' ownership change from Traffic Sports USA to Stephen Malik. In 2016, he helped arrange a friendly against West Ham United that drew a club-record 10,125 fans.
Quick Facts
- Current Team
- Denver Summit FC
- Position
- General manager
- High School
- Ravenscroft School
- College
- North Carolina State University
- Highlights
- MLS Cup champion (2000) / U.S. Open Cup champion (2004) / 2x NWSL Champion (2018, 2019)
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Raised in Raleigh, North Carolina, Johnson played college soccer for the NC State Wolfpack from 1987 to 1990, appearing in 72 matches and serving as captain in his senior season. NC State won an ACC Championship and reached the NCAA semifinals during his career. He later returned to NC State as an assistant coach and graduated with a degree in communications studies. In 2013, he was inducted into the North Carolina Soccer Hall of Fame.
Johnson began his front office career as general manager of the Richmond Kickers from 1997 to 1999, winning the Atlantic Division in 1998. He then became general manager of the Kansas City Wizards, where the team won the MLS Supporters' Shield and MLS Cup in 2000, and the U.S. Open Cup in 2004. He later worked as the Carolina Hurricanes' director of marketing and for US Club Soccer before joining North Carolina Football Club in 2011.
As president of the Carolina RailHawks (later North Carolina FC), Johnson oversaw an NASL regular season title in 2011, multiple U.S. Open Cup wins against MLS opponents, and the ownership transfer to Stephen Malik. In 2017, he became president and general manager of the NWSL's North Carolina Courage, which won the NWSL Shield and Championship in 2018 and 2019. In May 2025, he was named the first general manager of expansion team Denver Summit FC.
Reader's Guide
Curt Johnson's career spans over two decades in American soccer, marked by consistent success across multiple leagues and roles. As an executive, he was instrumental in the Kansas City Wizards' double-winning 2000 season and their 2004 U.S. Open Cup victory. His leadership at North Carolina FC and the North Carolina Courage helped establish the club as a powerhouse, with the Courage becoming the first NWSL team to win both the shield and championship in 2018 and the first to win a league title on home soil in 2019. Johnson also played a key role in youth soccer development through the creation of NCFC Youth and in facilitating partnerships that strengthened the sport in North Carolina. His appointment as Denver Summit FC's first general manager in 2025 marks a new chapter in the NWSL's expansion. Johnson's ability to navigate ownership transitions, negotiate player acquisitions, and build competitive teams underscores his significance in the growth of professional soccer in the United States.
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