Portland Timbers Make John Spencer’s Firing Official

Paulson, who got emotional during the announcement, said the decision was very difficult and that it was not simply because of Spencer’s record. After a somewhat surprising expansion season, the Timbers have struggled significantly this year, especially away from Jeld-Wen Field.

For more on Spencer’s firing, be sure to check out Stumptown Footy.

The Timbers are currently 5-8-4 and in second-to-last place in the Western Conference. The Timbers were 5-2-2 at home this year, but just 0-6-2 on the road. That was an enduring theme during Spencer’s tenure, as the Timbers went 2-15-8 away from Jeld-Wen Field. By contrast, Spencer’s team was 14-7-5 at home and were able to beat some of the league’s best teams with shocking regularity.

Under Wilkinson’s guidance, the Timbers were relatively successful in the USL. He went 50-29-39 over four seasons that included a first-place finish in the 2009 regular season.