UPDATE | Oct. 9, 2015, 1 p.m. ET
Portland Timbers coach Caleb Porter offered the following comment to MLSsoccer.com via text:
"There is zero truth to this rumor. I coached in college for 14 years and enjoyed my time there but I have no intent on going back. I'm planning to coach in MLS and hopefully Portland for many years."
PURCHASE, N.Y.—Jason Kreis liked what he saw from the Montreal Impact-New York Red Bulls match on Wednesday.
What he heard from commentator Shep Messing, though, is a different story.
Citing sources, Messing claimed during the broadcast that Kreis could be leaving his New York City FC head coaching post for Seattle, while Sounders FC coach Sigi Schmid could end up coaching in New York City and Portland Timbers head coach Caleb Porter could be returning to the college ranks.
“I was watching the game last night, and it caught me completely by surprise. I thought that was an absolutely ludicrous statement and unfounded,” Kreis said after training Thursday. “I have no knowledge of that information at all, and I kind of scratch my head because at the end of the day I’m very happy here.”
Although it seems likely the expansion team will miss the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs, Kreis said he’s enjoyed the challenge and is looking to continue on as NYCFC coach next season.
“I think this is a tremendous challenge we’ve embarked on and I’m not ready to leave it,” Kreis said. “If it’s up to me, and maybe it won’t be up to me, I’m going to stay here and fight.”
Schmid also addressed the comments at his team’s training session Thursday, dismissing the rumors as well.
“I heard they were started by Shep Messing, so I think that's all I really need to say,” Schmid said. “I don't know. There's nothing I know about it, so what can I tell you?”
Schmid was also asked of other potential moves, including taking over for expansion side LAFC.
“LA is not until 2018, for one,” he said. “Secondly, I love it up here in Seattle. I'm really enjoying myself here and my time here. There's nothing I want to do more than deliver an MLS Cup to the fans here.”
A Timbers spokesperson also dismissed the rumors as "ridiculous" when reached by MLSsoccer.com. Porter wasn't scheduled to speak to media following his team's training session Thursday.
Kreis said he is still “holding onto hope” for a playoff bid, but that would be extinguished if the Impact defeat the Colorado Rapids on Saturday (6:30 pm ET; MLS LIVE). If that happens, Kreis said there is still plenty to play for in the final two games of the regular season.
“Either way we approach the last two games in the same manner,” Kreis said. “We feel really good about what’s happened over the last month with this group, winning three of our last four, and we’ll do everything we can to finish the season on a very positive note."
MLSsoccer.com reporters Ari Liljenwall and Dan Itel also contributed to this report.
