Mike Burns

Professional In 1995, Major League Soccer began an expansion plan to add new teams to the league. On October 17, 1995, during the 1996 MLS Inaugural Allocations, MLS assigned Burns and Alexi Lalas to the New England Revolution. In August 1995, MLS loaned out Burns to Danish club Viborg FF. The Revolution retained his rights and Burns returned to play for the Revolution in 1996. Burns made 17 total appearances for the Revolution in their inaugural campaign, making his debut in the Revolution's first-ever match on April 13, a 3-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Mutiny. Burns received the first yellow card in Revolution history in the 16th minute of the game. He was also named 1998 New England Revolution Defender of the Year.

Burns played two seasons with the Wizards, 2001 and 2002. In 2002, he was chosen to play in the 2002 MLS All-Star Game. At the end of the 2002 season, Burns announced his retirement from professional soccer.

Post-Professional On April 10, 2005, Burns was named as the New England Revolution's Director of Soccer. He held this position until 2008, when he was promoted to Vice President of Player Personnel. On November 9, 2011, he was promoted to the General Manager position.

Burns was dismissed by New England on May 13, 2019.

On June 28, 2024, Burns was named Sporting Director for Sporting Kansas City of Major League Soccer.

National team Burns competed in a major tournament on every level: in the U-17 World Championship in 1987, the World Youth Championship in 1989, the Pan American Games in 1991, the Olympic Games in 1992, and the FIFA World Cup, where he was a non-playing squad member in 1994 and then played in 1998.

Honors Individual

MLS All-Star, 1998