Wait one second. Are you telling me that we have to pay "Major League" ticket prices, but we can not pay more than a college team for the head coach?
In 2008 the average salary for an MLS coach was $250,00 (wish I had the link but I don't). And I believe Arena topped the list at like $600,000 or there abouts. I'd venture to guess the MLS average is in that $300-350 range now. And, I would also guess that RW is towards the smaller end of the average. So basically, I'd bet Porter would just be getting around the same he is getting now (or say give or take 50-100 grand), but without the stability and control he has at Akron. Also, correct me if I am wrong, he is technically a public employee. Pretty decent retirement system that only gets better the longer he stays. I wonder if the $350,000 he is making was a step up to match the offers MLS teams were throwing around a couple years ago? I think the only thing that might help lure him away is if he as more US Soccer ambitions (he's with some youth squads now right?). He'd have to prove himself in MLS if he wanted to move up, but hey, he might be fine where he is.
They spent more than this on Mendoza last year. Maybe they haven't signed a DP yet because they're saving for a certain coach?
MLS lists Porter as a top 5 candidate to take over Portland. And from that same article, two names I haven't seen around here that I wouldn't mind seeing: Carl Robinson — In his first year as an assistant in Vancouver, the former Welsh international has commanded respect in every locker room he has been part of as a player. He has UEFA licenses, strong international contacts and a charisma that would be infectious in Portland.Tab Ramos — Would make for an intriguing selection if they can pry him away from the US Under-20 program. He has worked his way up from an academy team coach in New Jersey to a position in the national team system. If his coaching philosophy is half as entertaining as his playing style, he has the potential to be a hit. And the Spanish-language skills don't hurt.
And I've heard before that he really doesn't want to leave Ohio, but I have absolutely nothing to back that up with.
I've always been curious who else besides RW showed interest in the job after Sigi left. It was a given that RW would get the job, but I wonder just how much attention that opening got considering it was a team who had just won the double and was surely going to re-sign Schelotto and Marshall.
Or, it makes an MLS team have to spend more to acquire him. His ascension to the MLS is inevitable. He's only 36 so he's got a long coaching career ahead of him. I wouldn't be surprised if Chicago went after him as well.
NASL coaches Manny Lagos(knows how to win on a shoe string budget and put out an Attractive product.) Colin Clarke (knows how to win.) Eric Wynalda (Post game interviews would never be boring and he took the worst team in NASL last year and this year and completely changed their mentality.)
What Eric Wynalda did with Cal Fc and how they beat Portland, I thought it was a great idea to have players that did not make a MLS team and have them try to make a run at the Open Cup and showcase their talents. I made a comment on twitter about how a MLS team should hire Eric Wynalda, he responded that will never happen.
Maybe he doesn't have aspirations to go anywhere in the near future regarding soccer. Maybe he wants to be around his kids until they're older. Could it be that *oh, shock* he loves the area and just doesn't want to move to fulfill *oh, shock* other peoples unreasonable dreams for his future. I'd love to have him here, but I think he did well on that contract. Its a fricking college soccer contract worth 7 figures. Hot damn, he did well.