PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers today announced that director of scouting and recruitment Ned Grabavoy has been appointed technical director of the club. Grabavoy joined Portland’s technical staff ahead of the 2017 season after a 13-year playing career in MLS, including one season with the Timbers.
“Ned has earned this opportunity through his tireless work ethic and commitment to the club,” said Gavin Wilkinson, general manager and president of soccer for the Timbers. “His transition from player to technical director has been seamless, and his ability and eye for talent has been vital to our sustained success.
“As we continue to dedicate more resources to our infrastructure, develop staff and explore more opportunities in our recruitment, scouting and player development, Ned will play an integral role in working closely with Gio [head coach Giovanni Savarese] and me to help develop the club and make sure the goals and ambitions we have set are achievable and met.”
In his role, Grabavoy will continue to manage all aspects of the scouting, identification and evaluation of prospective professional, youth and college players, while managing a team of scouts for early identification and recruitment. He will manage and oversee pathways from the Portland Timbers Academy, to T2, to the first team and will work closely with the technical staff on first-team and T2 roster management as well as academy development, while continuing to develop key markets for recruiting players – domestically and internationally – for each level within the club’s developmental pyramid.
“I’m grateful to Merritt Paulson, Gavin Wilkinson, Giovanni Savarese and the entire coaching staff to have the support and opportunity to continue helping drive this club forward in a positive direction,” said Grabavoy. “The last two years have been an enjoyable transition and the success we have achieved together has been gratifying.”
Grabavoy, who signed with the Timbers as the club’s first free-agent acquisition on Jan. 12, 2016, concluded his playing career with 301 MLS appearances as part of a select group of players to play 300 or more games in the league. During his 13-year career, Grabavoy won two MLS Cup championships and a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup title.
