Payne Leaves D.C. United For Toronto

After more than 15 years, four of which were championship seasons, D.C. United president and CEO Kevin Payne has stepped down from the Major League Soccer club and will become the President and General Manager of Toronto FC.

United owner Jason Levien made the announcement and praised Payne’s “strong acumen as a leader.”
Payne has been with United as its top executive since the league and the club were launched in 1996. “For me, D.C. United has been like my child,” said Payne.

D.C. United won MLS championships in 1996, 1997, 1999 and 2004.

Payne, United’s top executive since the club began play in 1996, said: “For me, D.C. United has been like my child.”

With Payne, United won MLS championships in 1996, 1997, 1999 and 2004. This past season the club advanced to postseason play for the first time since 1997. They lost in the Eastern Conference final to the Houston Dynamo.