Abstract: An improved porous support layer is disclosed for use in an electrochemical cell such as a fuel cell having a proton exchange membrane ("PEM") as an electrolyte. In a preferred embodiment the porous support layer is positioned near and in fluid communication with an electrode to facilitate fluid transport to and away from each electrode. Each such porous support layer includes hydrophobic pores and hydrophilic pores integrated throughout the layer, wherein the hydrophobic pores are coated with a hydrophobic substance and include about 75 percent to about 95 percent of the total pore volume of the porous support layer, and the hydrophilic pores comprise about 25 percent to about 5 percent of the total pore volume of the porous support layer. The hydrophobic pores of the porous support layers facilitate gas transfer and restrict liquid water absorption into the hydrophobic pores, while the hydrophilic pores facilitate simultaneous liquid water transport through the layers.