Management Team

Kevin Payne - President & General Manager

Kevin Payne joins Toronto FC after spending 17 years at D.C. United, where he played an instrumental role in making the club the most successful in United States professional soccer history. During his tenure with D.C. United, the club won 12 domestic and international championships, including four MLS Cups Championships.

Payne is a founding member of the Major League Soccer/Soccer United Marketing (MLS/SUM) Board of Governors, Chairman of the Technical Committee for the U.S. Soccer Federation, is the Vice Chairman of the U. S. Soccer Foundation, and is a member of the FIFA Standing Committee for Club Football. MORE...

Ryan Nelsen - Head Coach

Ryan Nelsen, a native of Christchurch, brings a wealth of soccer experience to his new role at Toronto FC from Major League Soccer, the English Premier League and New Zealand's National team with more than 400 professional appearances. Nelsen began his football career with Christchurch United in New Zealand, making 96 team appearances and posting 12 goals between 1995 and 1998.

In 1998, he moved to the US on a university scholarship, playing for North Carolina's Greensboro College in the NCAA and later transferring to Stanford University for this final two years of college soccer. At Stanford, Nelsen was named MVP as a junior player and an All-American as a senior player. He graduated with a degree in Political Science from Stanford University. MORE...

Fran O'Leary - Assistant Coach

A native of Dublin, Ireland, Fran O'Leary, one of the most distinguished coaches in collegiate soccer, possesses an illustrious coaching resume and strong soccer acumen. At Bowdoin, he posted an impressive 62-27-9 record with two NCAA Tournament berths in his first six campaigns. In 2010, he was named NSCAA Regional Coach of the Year.

He previously held coaching positions at Elmira College, Kenyon College, Dartmouth and George Mason. O'Leary is a graduate of Thomas Edison State College and began his coaching career as an Assistant at Boston College. In addition to his coaching responsibilities, O'Leary will oversee player scouting and recruitment for Toronto FC.

Earl Cochrane - Director of Team & Player Operations

Earl Cochrane is an original member of Toronto FC’s front office, joining the team in July 2006 as the club's manager of team operations. Cochrane has served as TFC academy director, overseeing Toronto's player development program, in addition to his role within team operations. Prior to joining TFC, Cochrane worked for the Canadian Soccer Association as the national teams manager from January 2001 before taking over the role of director of communications in late 2005; a role he had held at DC United for two years before returning to Canada. Cochrane, from Scarborough, Ontario, was a four-time OUA All-Star, two time all-Canadian defender at Carleton University and holds a Masters degree from the University of Toronto.

Pat Onstad - Chief Scout & Manager of Football Partnerships

A native of Vancouver, B.C. Onstad, 44, has spent the past two seasons on D.C. United's staff as an assistant coach. He came out of retirement in 2011 to play in three matches for D.C. due to injuries at the goalkeeper position.

In addition to his duties as chief scout, Onstad is responsible for liaising and managing relationships with football clubs in Major League Soccer and internationally. He will also work with football agencies and foreign soccer development academies. MORE...