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Timbers Parting Ways with Vidovich; Adding to Front Office

By ChrisRifer

Timbers and Vidovich Part Ways

The Portland Timbers are parting ways with T2 head coach Jay Vidovich after the expansion team posted an eighth-place finish in the USL Western Conference.

Although the club has yet to make an official announcement and likely will not do so for some time, the decision to go another route was described as mutual by a source with knowledge of the decision.

Although the reasoning of Vidovich and the club are unknown, T2 struggled through an early portion of the season in which the team faced an away-fixture-heavy schedule, and couldn't make up the necessary ground to make the playoffs after the schedule balanced toward the end of summer. While some T2 prospects like Taylor Peay and Rennico Clarke showed some growth throughout the year, others, including first-round MLS SuperDraft pick Nick Besler, took longer to take the steps that would bring them closer to first-team contention.

As for Vidovich, Brooke Tunstall of American Soccer Now reports the former Wake Forest coach is currently interviewing for a head coaching position at the University of Pittsburgh.

It is not yet clear who the Timbers will add to replace Vidovich, or when such a hiring will be announced.

Update: According to a tweet from Travis Clark of Top Drawer Soccer, Vidovich has accepted the job at Pitt.

Timbers to Add to Technical Staff

During the offseason, the Timbers are expected to add a technical director for their academy operations and a head of international scouting to their technical staff.

The moves would be significant additions to the office led by Gavin Wilkinson as the club continues to grow on several fronts. When these positions will be filled - and, indeed, who will fill them - is not yet known, but it is reasonable to expect the moves will be made during the offseason.

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