GAVIN WILKINSON GENERAL MANAGER
Gavin Wilkinson, a long-time member of the Timbers organization and a former New Zealand international, serves as the club’s General Manager; he was appointed on January 18, 2010. He first joined the club as a player for the Timbers’ USL First Division side in 2001, before taking over as the head coach and general manager during the club’s final years in the second division from 2007-10. The Timbers finished the 2013 MLS regular season atop the Western Conference and qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time since joining the league in 2011. Portland held the third-best overall record in the league, just two points shy of MLS Supporters’ Shield-winners New York Red Bulls. The club finished among league leaders in goals scored and fewest goals allowed, while setting new club marks in points (57), goal differential (+21) and shutouts (15). In 2013, the Timbers assembled one of the longest unbeaten streaks in MLS history at 15 games and set an MLS single-season record with 11 home shutouts. As general manager, Wilkinson has formed the Timbers’ deeply integrated, vertical development system, which includes the Portland Timbers U-23s and Timbers Academy teams (U-18 and U-16). He was instrumental in establishing an innovative partnership with Oregon Youth Soccer Association, which encompasses the statewide Olympic Development Program and six regional training centers, as well as the adidas Timbers Alliance. Wilkinson also serves as the general manager for Portland Thorns FC, the 2013 National Women’s Soccer League champions. During his tenure as the club’s general manager and head coach from 2007-10, Wilkinson assembled a 50-29-39 record over four seasons in the USL First Division/USSF Division-2 Pro League and was a two-time USL First Division Coach of the Year (2007, 2009). He guided the club to three postseason berths, including its only semifinals appearances as a second-division club in 2007 and 2009. As head coach, Wilkinson oversaw Cascadia Cup (a fanbased derby between Portland, Seattle and Vancouver) titles in 2009, 2010 and again in 2012, and was a two-time recipient of the FieldTurf Coach of the Year for the USL First Division (2007, 2009). He led the Timbers to one of the best seasons in USL First Division history in 2009, including a record-setting, 24game unbeaten streak and winning the Commissioner’s Cup. The Timbers set a new single-season, league record with the impressive streak (14-0-10), surpassing the previous mark of 15 games set in 2005. The club’s recordsetting run also ranks among the longest in U.S. Soccer history. Finishing in first place at 16-4-10 (58pts), Portland was awarded the Commissioner’s Cup as the league’s regular-season champion and earned a berth into the USL First Division semifinals. On July 9, 2012, Wilkinson assumed the duties of interim head coach for the remainder of the 2012 MLS season. Wilkinson’s 13-year professional playing career included time with clubs in six different countries, including Portugal,Ireland, Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia. A defender, he joined the reborn Timbers for their inaugural United Soccer Leagues season in 2001, playing in each of the club’s first six seasons and serving the dual role as a player/assistant coach from 2005-06. He finished his playing career ranked among the Timbers’ USL franchise career leaders in games (124) and minutes played (10,181). A New Zealand native, Wilkinson earned 38 caps with the New Zealand National Team and competed in the 1999 and 2003 FIFA Confederations Cups. He and his wife, Heather, have two children, Kienan and Brooke.
11