Portland Timbers boss Caleb Porter signs long-term contract extension

The Portland Timbers announced Wednesday the club has signed MLS Cup-winning head coach Caleb Porter to a long-term contract extension. Specific terms on contract length were not disclosed, as per league policy.

"It's hard to imagine a better cultural, tactical and philosophical fit to lead the Portland Timbers on the pitch than Caleb Porter," club owner Merritt Paulson, said in a statement. "I am delighted to announce his long-term contract extension."

During his three seasons with the Timbers, Porter has recorded a 41-25-36 record in wins, draws, and losses; that's good for a .578 win percentage in the league, one of the best in the league. Porter's Timbers team has also recorded a league-best 35 shutouts across those three years.

Porter guided the Timbers to a successful 2015 MLS Cup campaign, having joined the club in 2013. He and his side enjoyed a rapid rise down the final stretch of the season and, in fine form with Darlington Nagbe and Diego Valeri pulling the strings in midfield, the Timbers brushed aside the Columbus Crew in the final to claim the MLS Cup.

As such, the club is more than confident Porter can lead them to repeated glory.

"This long-term extension is well deserved, and we are pleased and proud to announce that Caleb Porter will remain with the Timbers as our head coach for many years to come," club general manager Gavin Wilkinson said. "Caleb is one of the top coaches in MLS, and the progress and accomplishments this club has realized over the last three seasons under his direction speak for themselves.

"We are thrilled Caleb will continue to lead our team, and I look forward to continuing our relationship and working together to achieve all of our goals and continued success."

That show of faith had Porter feeling quite thankful, too.

"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," Porter said. "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."