Portland Timbers sign manager Caleb Porter to long-term extension
The MLS Cup champion Portland Timbers have signed manager Caleb Porter to a "long-term" contract extension, the club announced on Wednesday.
Porter guided the club to the title in his third season at the helm after a successful run at the collegiate level with Akron. In his first season, Porter won MLS Coach of the Year honors as Portland reached the Western Conference final. In his second year, the Timbers missed the playoffs by a point. The club navigated the playoffs successfully in his third season, jumping out to an early 2-0 lead in the MLS Cup final against Columbus Crew SC before winning by a 2-1 scoreline to lift the organization's first trophy.
Porter, 40, has a record of 41-25-36 in three seasons.
“It’s hard to imagine a better cultural, tactical and philosophical fit to lead the Portland Timbers on the pitch than Caleb Porter,” Timbers owner Merritt Paulson said in a statement. “I am delighted to announce his long-term contract extension.”
The Timbers have retooled their roster since winning the title, losing the likes of Jorge Villafaña, Will Johnson and Rodney Wallace, while bringing in Chris Klute, Zarek Valentin, Jermaine Taylor and Jack McInerney. One constant remains on the sidelines, where Porter will roam for the foreseeable future.
"I would like to thank Merritt and Gavin [Wilkinson, Timbers general manager] for the faith they have shown in me with this long-term commitment to continue leading this incredible organization – the Portland Timbers,” Porter said. “My family and I feel privileged to live in this wonderful community and personally I'm humbled every day to coach for a club with the best supporters in MLS. I'm extremely proud of what our staff has built and accomplished over three years, but we are very hungry to sustain this success and achieve more in the future."
