Longtime Portland Timbers assistant coach Sean McAuley is leaving the club to join Orlando City SC as an assistant under newly appointed head coach James O'Connor.

After seven seasons on the Timbers coaching staff, McAuley will coach his last game as a Timbers' assistant on Saturday, Aug. 4 when the club faces the Philadelphia Union.

The Timbers have already begun the process of identifying a new assistant coach to replace McAuley and the club expects to have a new assistant coach in place soon.

"It's been a pleasure to work for such a fantastic organization, and it's been such a rewarding experience to be a part of this club's growth and to have helped during transitional phases of the coaching staff and as new players have joined the club," said McAuley in a prepared statement. "Playing a part in winning the Timbers' first MLS Cup was the single greatest moment of my professional career. I am very thankful to Merritt Paulson, Gavin Wilkinson, Giovanni Savarese, the supporters and all the coaches, staff and players for their dedication, professionalism and support during my seven seasons on staff. The club is in great hands, and while I look forward to joining my former Sheffield Wednesday clubmate James O'Connor on the staff of Orlando City SC, I will have nothing but fond memories of my time with the Timbers, as a coach and as a player."

McAuley originally joined the Timbers as an assistant coach on July 16, 2012. He was a member of the coaching staff over seven successful seasons where the club won the 2015 MLS Cup, secured two Cascadia Cup trophies (2012, 2017) and twice finished first atop the Western Conference at end of the regular season (2013, 2017).

"Sean is a person of great character and someone who has been a true asset to our organization for many years, first as a player, and for the past seven seasons as an assistant coach," said Gavin Wilkinson, general manager and president of soccer for the Timbers, in a prepared statement. "He joined our staff at a period of transition in 2012 and played a critical role in helping this club grow and reach new heights, ultimately helping the Timbers win their first MLS Cup. I have known Sean for the better part of two decades, and while his stewardship of players and exceptional professionalism will be missed, we are excited for Sean and his family as he embarks on his next challenge. We are thankful for his many contributions and will remember his time as a member of the Timbers family fondly."

Prior to joining the Timbers as an assistant coach, McAuley, 46, played for the USL Timbers in 2002. During his 15-year playing career, McAuley played for multiple clubs in the United Kingdom, beginning his career with Manchester United in 1990 and moving on to compete for St. Johnstone, Hartlepool United, Scunthorpe United, Rochdale and Halifax Town.

A native of Sheffield, England, McAuley served as the head academy manager for English club Sheffield Wednesday from 2005-2011 before joining the Timbers in 2012. McAuley also served as the caretaker manager for Sheffield Wednesday during the 2006-07 and 2009-10 League Championship seasons.

"In a relatively short period of time working together, I have known Sean to be an exceptional person and a great professional," said Timbers head coach Giovanni Savarese in a prepared statement. "While we are disappointed to see him depart our staff after several years of service, we very much support his decision to move on to the next chapter of his coaching career and we all wish him the best in this next endeavor."

-- Jamie Goldberg | jgoldberg@oregonian.com

503-853-3761 | @jamiebgoldberg