JULIAN DE GUZMAN | Head of Sport
Julian De Guzman was named Head of Sport beginning in January 2025. He previously served as Sporting Director from February 2024. He was most recently a founder, managing partner, and president of Simcoe Rovers County FC, which is a club in League1 Ontario. Prior to Simcoe, de Guzman was the General Manager of Ottawa Fury Football Club, where he managed the day-to-day operations of the sporting department and helped guide Ottawa to a USL Championship playoff appearance in 2019. He was also the Head Coach of Ottawa Fury during the 2017 season.
The Toronto, Ontario native had a 19-year playing career, which began with Olympique de Marseille in their youth and reserve program. After he signed his first professional contract with 1. FC Saarbrücken in German 2. Bundesliga. De Guzman played 84 matches for Hanover before he made the move to Deportivo La Coruna in La Liga.Â
De Guzman joined Toronto FC in Major League Soccer in 2009 as a Designated Player, becoming the first-ever Canadian Designated Player in league history. He is the second-leading Canadian in all-time CONCACAF Champions League appearances with 18 and he won the Canadian Championship with Toronto FC in 2010, 2011, and 2012. He finished his playing career with Ottawa Fury FC, where he was the club captain and also during his last season in 2016, he was the Ottawa Fury reserve team coach.Â
De Guzman played 17 years for the Canadian National Team system, which includes 14 years with the senior national team. He made his debut for the senior national team in a 2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup match against Martinique. He was named to six Gold Cup teams for Canada and was named the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament MVP and was named to the CONCACAF Gold Cup All-Tournament team in 2007 and 2009. De Guzman was voted the Canadian Men’s National Soccer team Player of the Year in 2008 and is the second all-time caps leader for Canada with 89 appearances. He started 25 games as Canada’s captain.





