Caleb Porter’s tenure as Portland Timbers head coach has come to an end.
FourFourTwo USA reported on Thursday night that Porter was on his way out, and the club confirmed the move on Friday morning.
“I would like to begin by giving special thanks to my owner and friend Merritt Paulson for providing me with the opportunity to lead the Portland Timbers these past five seasons,” Porter said in the club statement. “Also, a big thanks to Hank and Wendy Paulson, Heather Paulson and Gavin Wilkinson for the incredible support they have shown me, and for their tireless efforts on behalf of the Timbers. Everyone has made me and my family feel a part of the Timbers family from day one, and words truly can’t express my gratitude for what this has meant to me.”
“During Caleb’s five seasons with our club, we reached new heights and accomplished great things together,” Timbers owner Merritt Paulson said. “His commitment, passion and talent were essential in bringing many on-field successes to our supporters, our club and our city, most notably our first MLS Cup. More than that, he has been a friend whom I have enjoyed working with.”
“I respect Caleb’s decision to seek his next challenge. He leaves Portland with a lasting legacy valued by everyone associated with the club, and I wish him nothing but success in the future,” Paulson continued. “With our next on-field leader, we look forward to building on the Timbers’ winning tradition and to setting the course for even greater achievements in the seasons ahead. Caleb leaves a strong club foundation and we are well-positioned to manage this departure.”
Porter was hired as Timbers coach in 2013, when he led them to the top seed in the Western Conference before losing in the conference final to Real Salt Lake. Portland returned to the playoffs two years later and won the MLS Cup under Porter’s leadership.
This year, in his final season in charge, they finished atop the Western Conference in the regular season before an injury hampered squad fell to the Houston Dynamo in the Western Conference Semi-Finals.
Overall, Porter was 68-50-52 as Portland’s head coach.