Chris Agnello's climb up the soccer-coaching ladder took another huge leap on Tuesday.
Agnello, who spent five years as the coach and general manager of Utah Blitzz before taking on an assistant-coaching role with Real Salt Lake this past year, was named head coach and GM of the Portland Timbers on Tuesday.
"It's with great excitement that we welcome Chris to the Timbers organization today," said Timbers' president John Cunningham at a press conference Tuesday. "He is very passionate about the game of soccer and offers a great deal of experience in all of the areas we were looking for in a new coach and general manager."
Agnello's experience on the business side of soccer is what likely pushed him ahead of several big-name candidates.
For five years, running the Blitzz organization was Agnello's life. During his tenure as coach, general manager and even co-owner for a season, Agnello oversaw everything from player personnel to sponsorship to accounting. He even helped develop the Jr. Blitzz recreation program and was coaching director for Blitzz FC, Utah's largest elite youth program.
"As we set out to find the ideal candidate to fill this very important position with the Timers, it became clear to us that Chris was the best person to not only continue the great things we've been able to accomplish during the team's five first seasons, but to take the franchise to new levels in a number of areas," said Cunningham.
Portland participates in the USL First Division, a step below Major League Soccer, but a step above the second division the Blitzz used to participate in.
During his five years with the Blitzz, Agnello guided the Blitzz to a 64-21-11 regular-season record, and championships in 2001 and 2004. Last year, he was the third assistant for expansion Real Salt Lake.
According to the Timbers' press release, Agnello's duties are: scouting; player acquisition and signings; technical, tactical and physical training of the team; development and implementation of Timbers' soccer camps and clinics; and the overall business operation of the Timbers.
POPE GETS THE CALL: Real Salt Lake defender Eddie Pope was one of 30 players called into U.S. National Team training camp by coach Bruce Arena as the team prepares for a trio of friendlies in California.
The team will begin training on Jan. 4 at the Home Depot Center.
On Jan. 22, the U.S. will open the 2006 season against Canada in San Diego. A week later, it faces Norway on Jan. 29 in Carson, Calif. Then on Feb. 10, the U.S. faces Japan in San Francisco.
E-mail: jedward@desnews.com