The Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) announced Will Kuntz will serve as the team’s Vice President of Soccer Operations and Assistant General Manager.
Kuntz will work with the General Manager and EVP of Soccer Operations, John Thorrington to assemble players and personnel for the club as LAFC prepares to take the pitch for the 2018 Major League Soccer season. Last month, the Club completed demolition of the Sports Arena and commenced construction on Banc of California Stadium, a 22,000-seat, soccer-specific stadium which will bring more than $350 million in private investment to South Los Angeles, and will be the first open-air stadium built in Los Angeles in over 30-years.
Kuntz served most recently as Director of Player Relations for Major League Soccer, and has played an active role with franchise leadership and players in helping to grow the league. Before joining MLS, he served 10 years in the New York Yankees organization, rising from summer intern to Manager of Pro Scouting for the team.
“Will is a top-class person and professional who will prove to be a great asset for LAFC as we continue building a team that makes our city proud,” said John Thorrington, General Manager and EVP of Soccer Operations.
In his new role, Kuntz will work closely with the team’s executives to bring exciting and promising coaches and players to LAFC that will bring quality to the pitch and represent the community and the club’s growing fan base.
“I’m excited to work with John and the entire LAFC team to build a team that will represent our city, our league and our sport,” Kuntz said. “We are already working hard to be able to field a team that will excite our fans and bring another champion to the city of Los Angeles.”
Last year, the Club reached several key milestones, including kicking off the year with the official crest and Club color unveiling for fans and city leaders; scoring a tremendous victory for the Club, its fans and the people of Los Angeles by securing unanimous approval from the Los Angeles City Council on the stadium’s Final Environmental Impact Report; embarking on a historic groundbreaking ceremony with hundreds of Club supporters; announcing its official stadium naming rights, Banc of California stadium; completion of demolition of the Sports Arena and commencing construction with the first of many foundational concrete pours; and proudly announcing a multi-year partnership with United Soccer League’s Orange County Blues FC in order to further enhance professional player development and create a pipeline for players who show promise to join the LAFC team.
