Caleb Porter
Encyclopedia
Caleb Porter is an American
soccer coach who is currently the head coach of the United States U-23 team and the men's soccer team
at the University of Akron
. A former midfielder
, he played college soccer
for Indiana University before his short professional career in Major League Soccer
and the United Soccer League
was ended by persistent knee injuries.
in sports management. In February 1998, the San Jose Clash selected Porter with the 3rd round (27th overall) in the 1998 MLS College Draft
. He played no games with the Clash in 1998 and only four in 1999. The Clash sent him on loan with the Sacramento Geckos
of the A-League. After playing four games for the Clash in 1999, the team waived him in June and he was immediately signed by the Tampa Bay Mutiny
. He suffered from several knee injuries and had arthroscopic surgery on both knees during the off season. He retired on June 30, 2000. In 1997, Porter was a member of the U.S. soccer team which took the bronze medal at the 1997 World University Games
.
left the University of Akron
in December 2005, the Zips hired Porter as head soccer coach. After taking the Zips to two consecutive Mid-American Conference titles, and being named the 2007 MAC Coach of the Year, Porter signed a two year contract extension in June 2008.
Following Akron's near-perfect season of 2009, Porter was rumored to be in talks with Major League Soccer club DC United about their vacant head coaching position. However, The University of Akron and Porter agreed on terms of a new contract, keeping him in Akron for the next five years.
Under Porter, the 2010 Akron squad captured the NCAA Men's Division I Soccer Championship, defeating the Louisville Cardinals
1-0.
Porter was named the head coach of the U.S. Under-23 Men’s National Team on October 20, 2011. His first task is guiding the U-23 team to a successful CONCACAF qualifying run in March 2011 for the 2012 Olympic Games. Porter will retain his duties as coach of the Akron Zips, a team he has coached since 2006 and most recently led to the 2010 NCAA National Championship.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soccer coach who is currently the head coach of the United States U-23 team and the men's soccer team
Akron Zips
One of the unique nicknames in all of intercollegiate athletics belongs to The University of Akron. Originally Zippers, athletic director Kenneth Cochrane officially shortened the nickname to the Zips in 1950. Twenty-five years earlier a campus-wide contest had been conducted to choose a nickname...
at the University of Akron
University of Akron
The University of Akron is a coeducational public research university located in Akron, Ohio, United States. The university is part of the University System of Ohio. It was founded in 1870 as a small college affiliated with the Universalist Church. In 1913 ownership was transferred to the City of...
. A former midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
, he played college soccer
College soccer
College soccer is a term used to describe association football played by teams who are operated by colleges and universities as opposed to a professional league operated for exclusively financial purposes...
for Indiana University before his short professional career in Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
and the United Soccer League
United Soccer League
The United Soccer League was a professional soccer league in the United States in the mid-1980s.After the demise of the second incarnation of the American Soccer League in 1983, four ASL teams founded the USL...
was ended by persistent knee injuries.
Player
Porter attended Indiana University where he played on the men’s soccer team from 1994 to 1997. He graduated in 1997 with a Bachelor's degreeBachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in sports management. In February 1998, the San Jose Clash selected Porter with the 3rd round (27th overall) in the 1998 MLS College Draft
1998 MLS College Draft
The 1998 Major League Soccer College Draft was held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on January 31 and February 1, 1998.-Format:On Saturday, January 31, 1997, Major League Soccer held the first round of its 1998 college draft during the halftime of the Umbro Select All-Star Classic at Lockhart Stadium. ...
. He played no games with the Clash in 1998 and only four in 1999. The Clash sent him on loan with the Sacramento Geckos
Sacramento Geckos
The Sacramento Geckos were an American soccer club that competed in the United Soccer Leagues from 1997 to 1999. The club was founded as the Albuquerque Geckos in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1997, before being sold and moved to Sacramento, California for the 1999 season.The Geckos had great success...
of the A-League. After playing four games for the Clash in 1999, the team waived him in June and he was immediately signed by the Tampa Bay Mutiny
Tampa Bay Mutiny
The Tampa Bay Mutiny was a charter franchise of Major League Soccer active from 1996 - 2001. They initially played in Tampa Stadium and were immediately successful, winning the first MLS Supporters' Shield behind MLS MVP Carlos Valderrama and high-scoring forward Roy Lassiter, whose 27 goals in...
. He suffered from several knee injuries and had arthroscopic surgery on both knees during the off season. He retired on June 30, 2000. In 1997, Porter was a member of the U.S. soccer team which took the bronze medal at the 1997 World University Games
1997 Summer Universiade
The 1997 Summer Universiade, also known as the XIX Summer Universiade, took place in Sicily, Italy.-Medal table:...
.
Coach
In 2000, Porter returned to Indiana University as an assistant soccer coach. After Ken LollaKen Lolla
Ken Lolla is the head men’s soccer coach at the University of Louisville. He is also a writer and professional speaker. Lolla played collegiate soccer at Duke University and professionally at various US professional soccer teams. He has earned several accolades as both a player and...
left the University of Akron
University of Akron
The University of Akron is a coeducational public research university located in Akron, Ohio, United States. The university is part of the University System of Ohio. It was founded in 1870 as a small college affiliated with the Universalist Church. In 1913 ownership was transferred to the City of...
in December 2005, the Zips hired Porter as head soccer coach. After taking the Zips to two consecutive Mid-American Conference titles, and being named the 2007 MAC Coach of the Year, Porter signed a two year contract extension in June 2008.
Following Akron's near-perfect season of 2009, Porter was rumored to be in talks with Major League Soccer club DC United about their vacant head coaching position. However, The University of Akron and Porter agreed on terms of a new contract, keeping him in Akron for the next five years.
Under Porter, the 2010 Akron squad captured the NCAA Men's Division I Soccer Championship, defeating the Louisville Cardinals
Louisville Cardinals
The Louisville Cardinals are the athletic teams representing the University of Louisville. A member of the Big East Conference since 2005, they are known nationally as traditional powers in men's basketball, women's volleyball, and dance team...
1-0.
Porter was named the head coach of the U.S. Under-23 Men’s National Team on October 20, 2011. His first task is guiding the U-23 team to a successful CONCACAF qualifying run in March 2011 for the 2012 Olympic Games. Porter will retain his duties as coach of the Akron Zips, a team he has coached since 2006 and most recently led to the 2010 NCAA National Championship.