United President, CEO Payne steps down

United President, CEO Payne steps down

Published Nov. 27, 2012 12:00 a.m. ET

D.C. United President and CEO Kevin Payne is leaving the Major League Soccer club after more than 15 years.

United owner Jason Levien praised Payne's ''strong acumen as a leader'' in a statement announcing Payne's departure Tuesday.

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.

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This season, the club returned to the playoffs for the first time since 1997 and lost to the Houston Dynamo in the Eastern Conference final.

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