Porter Not Taking DC Job, Staying In Akron

The next head coach of DC United will not be Caleb Porter. The Akron Beacon Journal is reporting that the University of Akron men's head coach has decided to remain with the school for at least the next half-decade and has signed a new five-year deal to coach the Zips.

Regarded as one of the best coaches in college soccer, 34-year-old Porter was repeatedly mentioned as one of two final candidates (along with Curt Onalfo) for the DC job. He recently led Akron to an appearance in the 2009 College Cup final after an undefeated and untied regular season, though the Zips eventually lost in penalty kicks to the University of Virginia.

"What I'll remember more than anything is the way we played this team and how we approached going into games against the best teams in the country," Porter said after his team's loss in the final. "Not hoping to win, but expecting to win. Not hanging on potential results, but dictating the game. I thought we did that again today, and we've done that all year long, so I'm proud of my guys.

"It's cruel, but we will continue to follow the same formula. I've always felt that if you do that in the end it's going to be fair. We are going to keep chasing the national championship."

United had contacted the school with a request to speak to Porter several weeks ago but the club was asked by the Akron athletic director to refrain from discussing their opening until the school's run in the College Cup came to an end. The job now appears to be Onalfo's for the taking, unless DC decides to unexpectedly spring for a coach from overseas.