The dust is just settling in the aftermath of John Spencer's dismissal as coach of the Portland Timbers, with the second-year MLS club looking for a new candidate who will carry the team to new heights.

Gavin Wilkinson, the club's general manager and former coach during the team's USL days, has been given the interim reins for the remainder of the season while the club searches for its long-term replacement. Much like the Vancouver Whitecaps did with Martin Rennie last season, the Timbers could find their replacement in the coming weeks or months but not officially turn the page until after this current season ends, giving the incoming coach a fresh start.

So who are some of the best candidates for the job? There's always the chance that Wilkinson succeeds and decides to proceed as coach. If the Timbers are looking for an MLS-tested coach, Former New England Revolution coach Steve Nicol and current U.S. U-17 coach Richie Williams present a pair of options.

If the Timbers elected to look within the U.S. youth coaching tree, Caleb Porter and Tab Ramos would be two intriguing names. Then there's the thought of turning to a wildcard candidate such as Eric Wynalda, whose Cal FC team defeated the Timbers at Jeld-Wen Field in the U.S. Open Cup and has been building momentum after taking on the Atlanta Silverbacks coaching job last week.

Those are just a few names to consider. Who do you think should be hired as the Timbers' next coach? Cast your vote after the jump:

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How did you vote? Which coach do you think the Timbers should hire? Anyone not on our list, maybe a foreign coach or someone in the lower tiers of U.S. Soccer, that you think would be the perfect fit for the job?

Share your thoughts below.