Caleb Porter won an MLS Cup title in 2015 as part of a five-season coaching stint with the Portland Timbers that ended in 2017.
He finally returns to Providence Park as an opposing coach on Saturday night when the New England Revolution face the Timbers.
“Crazy that the schedule has not fallen where I have had a game there,” Porter said earlier this week. “So, I am looking forward to it. Obviously, it is another game, but I think the nostalgia of my time there will make it a little bit different in that regard.”
Porter coached the Columbus Crew from 2019-22 — winning the 2020 MLS title — and is in his second year with the Revolution.
Despite his success in Portland, Porter determined it was time to leave after the 2017 season.
“It just felt like it was time for a new challenge,” Porter said. “I have nothing but fond memories and nothing but respect for the club, the owner, the fans, and the players that I coached there.”
Porter’s Revolution (6-6-6, 24 points) sit in 11th place in the Eastern Conference and are coming off a 3-3 home draw against the Colorado Rapids. New England trailed 3-0 in the second half before mounting a comeback.
Carles Gil scored on a penalty kick to raise his goal total to a team-leading seven on the season.
The Revolution are unbeaten in their past seven road matches (4-0-3) as they battle a Portland squad that is undefeated in nine straight home contests (5-0-4) since losing 4-1 to the Vancouver Whitecaps in the season opener on Feb. 23.
The Timbers (8-5-6, 30 points) are in fourth place in the West despite a poor showing in a 3-0 loss to host Toronto FC on June 28.
Portland didn’t put a single shot on target and repeatedly got outplayed in the midfield.
“It was difficult for us to create opportunities,” veteran Portland midfielder Diego Chara said. “We lost too many balls in that area of the field. They made it difficult for us.”
Chara wasn’t the only midfielder to struggle. So did David Da Costa, who was just named to the MLS All-Star team.
“I think their deal was to play quick, play one or two touches and try to press from behind and make it difficult for David and myself,” Chara said.
Portland will again be without leading scorer Antony (six goals) due to a hamstring injury. Felipe Mora and Kevin Kelsy each have five tallies.
On Thursday, the Timbers transferred defender Claudio Bravo to Argentinos Juniors in Argentina. Bravo had two goals in 108 MLS matches in four-plus seasons in Portland.
The teams have tied in each of their past five meetings since a Portland victory in 2015.
–Field Level Media
