Columbus, Ohio (December 13, 2018) — It looks as if Caleb Porter will succeed Gregg Berhalter as Columbus Crew SC manager.
According to Paul Tenorio of The Athletic, Porter is close to finalizing a deal to become the next head coach of the Black and Gold. The 43-year-old had also been linked with the vacant LA Galaxy job but is choosing to move to Columbus instead. He’ll replace Berhalter who recently accepted the USMNT managerial position.
Per multiple sources, Caleb Porter is in the final stages of negotiations to become Columbus Crew coach. Deal should be done in next couple days: https://t.co/LUcOtrfywH pic.twitter.com/FKaW0OMIOg
— Paul Tenorio (@PaulTenorio) December 13, 2018
Report: Caleb Porter to Accept Columbus Crew SC Coaching Job
Porter did not coach in 2018 after he and the Portland Timbers decided to part ways after last season. During his five-year tenure in Portland, Porter compiled a 68-50-52 record that included an MLS Cup in 2015 where they defeated Crew SC in Columbus, 2-1. Giovanni Savarese took over from him and led the team to the league championship game in his first season in charge where they fell 2-0 to Atlanta United.
The news is the latest development in a new era for Crew SC. The club will come under new ownership with a consortium that includes Pete Edwards, the Haslam family, and the Columbus Partnership taking over from Anthony Precourt. Not only has the ownership group committed $645 million to a project that includes a new stadium. The Ohio Senate recently voted to commit $15 million of public money to the project.
Porter has roots in Ohio. Before taking the Timbers job, he coached at Akron University for seven seasons. It included leading the Zips to the 2010 national title. Among the players he coached while at Akron is current Crew SC team captain, Wil Trapp. In 2012, his final season with Akron, he simultaneously coached the United States under-23 team.
Unlike Berhalter, Porter will not act as the team’s sporting director in addition to his head coaching duties. The club continues to search for candidates as of this writing. Among those linked to the job is Ali Curtis who previously served as the New York Red Bulls general manager. His first season in that capacity saw the Red Bulls win their second Supporters’ Shield in 2015.