New England Revolution hire Caleb Porter as head coach
The New England Revolution have appointed Caleb Porter as head coach, the club announced Tuesday. Porter, a two-time MLS Cup winner with nine seasons of managerial experience in Major League Soccer, becomes the ninth official head coach in club history.
Porter, 48, is one of only six coaches to win multiple MLS Cup championships, and one of three to do so with more than one club, having led both the Portland Timbers (2015) and Columbus Crew SC (2020) to title-winning seasons. He is one of only two active managers currently leading an MLS club to own multiple MLS Cups, along with Seattle’s Brian Schmetzer. The 2013 MLS Coach of the Year will begin his 10th MLS season with New England in 2024, having compiled a 113-93-89 regular season record to date across five seasons with Portland (2013-17) and four with Columbus (2019-2022).
Porter’s 295 games of experience are eighth most among all coaches currently helming an MLS club, while his .534 career winning percentage stands as the 10th best in MLS history among coaches with at least 200 games on the sideline. In the MLS Cup Playoffs, Porter’s impressive postseason record stands at 9-3-4 (.688) across four playoff campaigns.
“Caleb Porter is a gifted and respected coach with more than two decades of coaching experience who has delivered MLS Cup championships to both of his previous clubs. Caleb has consistently demonstrated the leadership and tactical acumen needed to build a winning team in our league,” Revolution Sporting Director Curt Onalfo said of New England’s new head coach. “We know he is the right person to lead our team, which we believe is already well positioned to compete for trophies.”
Under Porter’s guidance, the Portland Timbers enjoyed a triumphant period in the club’s history that included the team’s first major trophy, the 2015 Western Conference Championship, followed by the MLS Cup title that same year. In his first season as a professional coach, Porter led the Timbers to a first-place Western Conference finish in the regular season, a 23-point improvement over the previous year, earning him Coach of the Year recognition. In his final season with Portland, Porter helped claim the Cascadia Cup and led the Timbers to another first-place finish in the Western Conference.
“I’m honored to be named as the head coach of the New England Revolution. I’d like to start by thanking Robert and Jonathan Kraft, President Brian Bilello, and Sporting Director Curt Onalfo for this incredible opportunity,” Porter said. “Throughout the interview process, it was clear the character, passion and ambition that the people in this club possess and I immediately felt connected and aligned with their strategy and values. The Revolution have a rich history and I’m driven to build off that strong foundation and help the players add to their legacy with the club.
“Lastly, I’m extremely motivated to reward the supporters for their undying loyalty over the past 27 years. I will work relentlessly to bring the first MLS cup to this storied club and New England.”
Porter was appointed head coach of the Columbus Crew in January 2019 and quickly established the club as a championship contender, delivering the 2020 MLS Cup title in only his second season. The following year, he guided the Crew to the 2021 Campeones Cup trophy with a 2-0 win over LIGA MX side Cruz Azul. Porter’s experience in international club competition also includes three Concacaf Champions Cups (2014-15, 2016-17, 2021), as he is set to enter the tournament for the fourth time with New England in February 2024 when he coaches in his first official competitive action.
Before entering the professional ranks, Porter led the University of Akron men’s soccer team from 2006-12, winning the NCAA Division 1 national championship in 2010. Porter led the Zips to seven consecutive Mid-American Conference regular season championships and four MAC Tournament titles, including four in a row from 2007-10. He guided Akron to an additional appearance in the NCAA Final after a near-perfect season in 2009. Porter compiled a 123-18-17 record at Akron and garnered numerous honors including National Soccer Coaches Association of America National Coach of the Year (2009) and six consecutive MAC Coach of the Year awards from 2007-12.
While at Akron, Porter also served as head coach of the U.S. Under-23 Men’s National Team from 2011-12, after previously working as an assist with the U.S. Under-18s from 2009-11. From 2000-05, he spent six years as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Indiana University. Porter helped the Hoosiers win back-to-back NCAA College Cup titles in 2003 and 2004, five consecutive Big Ten Conference regular season championships, and two Big Ten Conference Tournaments in 2001 and 2003.
