PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers today announced that the club’s youth technical director, Larry Sunderland, will depart the organization to pursue a new position within MLS. With Sunderland’s departure, the Timbers will look to restructure the leadership of their Academy program, allowing for an improved pathway to T2 and potentially the first team, and placing greater importance on the Academy to play a more significant role in the buildout of the T2 roster.
“We’d like to thank Larry for his contributions over his time with the Academy program, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors,” said Gavin Wilkinson, general manager and president of soccer for the Timbers. “This change gives us the opportunity to restructure the leadership and direction of our Academy, and to further strengthen our youth development programs moving forward.”
Sunderland was appointed to his position with the Timbers in December 2015, after joining the club from the Chicago Fire.
“These past three-plus years I have met and worked with some wonderful people whom I hold in very high regard, and I would like to express my gratitude to the entire club,” Sunderland said. “I am so appreciative of the support, the time and the investment made by this organization in the Academy and its players. We have seen the program grow in sustainability and in quality, and the Timbers style of play has been ingrained in the Academy and will continue to be developed by a wonderful staff. I move on to my next chapter knowing the Academy is in good hands.”
