[MLS] The Vancouver Whitecaps have given their Icelandic coach, Teitur Thordarson, a multi-year contract extension, meaning he will be in charge when they join MLS next season.

Of the three MLS expansion team that were "promoted" from the Second Division ranks, Vancouver is the first team to retain its head coach in the same position.

Seattle Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer is now an assistant under Sigi Schmid. Portland Timbers head coach Gavin Wilkinson will retain his other title of general manager, while Scotsman John Spencer has been brought in to coach the team.

Thordarson, 58, is a former Icelandic international who coached in Sweden, Estonia and Norway as well as Iceland before moving to Vancouver in 2007.

He led the Caps to the USL-1 title in 2008 and second place in 2009.

Vancouver hired Tommy Soehn, the former D.C. United head coach, as its director of soccer operations.

The Caps have loaded their roster with potential MLS players, many of them imports.

They are first in their conference in the D-2 Pro League with a 9-3-13 record.