PORTLAND, Ore.
– The Portland Timbers today announced that
Jim Rilatt
will return for a second season as the head coach of the Timbers U-23s, the club’s development team. The Timbers U-23s enter their second season in the Premier Development League (PDL) in 2010.
Under Rilatt, the Timbers U-23s completed the 2009 season, their inaugural campaign in the PDL, with an 11-3-2 (35pts) record and finished in second place in the 10-team Northwest Division. In just their first season, the Timbers U-23s scored a division-leading 43 goals and advanced to the playoffs.
“I am grateful that Gavin (Wilkinson) and Merritt (Paulson) have the confidence in me to have me back,” said Rilatt. “We learned a lot last year, and while we were successful, we still have room to improve. With continued support from the soccer community, we will continue to grow.”
Rilatt enters his fourth overall season with the Timbers in 2010. He first joined the organization in 2007 as an assistant coach for the Timbers USL First Division team, a role he will continue while coaching the Timbers U-23s.
“We are delighted to have Jim back as the head coach of the Timbers U-23s,” said
Gavin Wilkinson
, Timbers general manager. “The Timbers U-23s play an important role in our organization, developing and preparing young players to compete with our first team at the highest levels.”
Rilatt brings more than 20 years of coaching experience across a variety of levels to the Timbers organization. He has coached at several local colleges, and recently finished his fourth season as an assistant for the men’s soccer program at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Ore. Rilatt, who holds a USSF "A" coaching license, coached several years in the high school ranks, earning Mt. Hood Conference Coach of the Year honors five times, and has extensive experience at youth levels, including United Soccer Leagues’ Super Y League.
