Sporting Kansas City's Peter Vermes "deserves the shot" to be the next coach of the United States men's national team, his contemporary Caleb Porter told The Athletic.

Porter, who stepped down as coach of the Portland Timbers last November, also said he believes he's a candidate for the position, which has been filled by Dave Sarachan on an interim basis since the resignation of Bruce Arena last year.

But Porter said Vermes, who serves as both the coach and technical director of Sporting KC, should be the top choice among domestic candidates.

"If you're going American, Peter Vermes, for me, he is the guy that deserves the shot," Porter said. "I believe that. That guy deserves to carry the torch of our national team. Peter Vermes, in my opinion, based on what he's done in our league, he's proven it as an American coach.

"If you don't go with Peter Vermes, I think, based on what I've proven, I'm in the mix with another two or three guys who deserve consideration and I'd be open to talking."

AP Photo/Don Ryan

In addition to coaching his MLS team from the sideline, Vermes' duties include managing the club's roster as well as scouting and overseeing the academy.

Despite holding discussions with U.S. Soccer earlier this year, Vermes in May signed a new contract with SKC that ties him to the club until 2023. He said at the time he would lean toward remaining with SKC over working for the national team.

Vermes helped SKC win MLS Cup in 2013 and has also won the U.S. Open Cup three times. He also won MLS Cup as a player in 2000, when he was named the league Defender of the Year. He earned 66 caps with the U.S. national team and played at the 1990 World Cup.

Porter said he was re-energized after taking a "mid-career sabbatical," and said he had to leave Portland because he "didn't have anything left to give."

"I just kept feeling like I've done what I could do in the club and I've given what I can give to the club and I've accomplished what I can accomplish in the club," Porter said. "As a young coach, I would have never admitted this, but an experienced coach that is comfortable in their skin realizes when maybe it's time for a new coach and it's the right thing for the club."