Scouting report: Portland away

Chad Ashton discusses Timber strategy ahead of Sunday's match at JELD-WEN Field

May 26, 2011

Alex Caulfield / dcunited.com

UNITED READY FOR HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT

Following today's training session the Black-and-Red are set to depart for a one-week stay on the West Coast. Ben Olsen's side will head to Portland on Friday via Dulles International Airport, with United set to arrive in the Rose City at approximately 6:00 p.m. local time. On Sunday United (3-4-3, 12 points) will face MLS expansion side Portland Timbers (5-3-2, 17 points) at newly-renovated JELD-WEN Field, a venue where the home team is undefeated in 2011 (5-0-0). The game will kick off at 5:00 p.m. ET on Comcast SportsNet Locally.

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The Black-and-Red understand the challenge that awaits them in Portland, and the club has prepared hard this week for Portland's physical style of play and the boisterous Timbers Army. "It's a great environment in Portland, they have great fans, and this is a great opportunity for us to get a result in a difficult place," said United Assistant Coach Chad Ashton.

"It's a tight field out there, and they have scored a number of goals on set pieces, so we need to be tuned into that stuff and do a good job [on set plays]. Our aim is to go in there and do something no one else has so far - come away with a win."

Ashton's observation about set pieces is particularly striking, as nine of Portland's 13 League goals have come by way of dead-ball scenarios. United's technical staff has paid close attention to set pieces this week in training, and the way that the Black-and-Red handle these scenarios on Sunday will play a vital role in the game's outcome.

A FAMILIAR FOE

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Pontius previews Portland

When asked about the prospect of facing former D.C. United players Rodney Wallace and Troy Perkins on Sunday, Ashton admits that the familiarity between the two teams adds some extra bite to this fixture.

"Those guys will be fired up, they have all the details on our players and they will relish the opportunity to get a shot at us," said Ashton.

"It just makes for a more intriguing game, it creates a little more fire. There aren't a lot of secrets in this League, everyone knows everyone else pretty well. Whether you're home or away, players love to play in this type of environment, and we know it will be a fight out there."

SPENCER MAKING HIS MARK

In his playing days Portland Head Coach John Spencer developed a tenacious reputation on the pitch. Whether playing for Chelsea, Everton, Rangers, or the Colorado Rapids, the Scotsman brought a distinct fire and enthusiasm to his respective teams. Chad Ashton believes that Spencer's current squad has taken on the Head Coach's persona, much in the same way the United embodies Ben Olsen's grit and resolve.

"Spenny has instilled in their team his style of play. I watched him in Colorado and he was a very fiery player, and I think their team has taken on his personality a little bit," said Ashton.

"They fight, they scratch, and they claw - they find ways to get results. We're going to have to match that, and if we can do that we can give ourselves a good chance to win."

Spencer's key players rely on size and physicality across the pitch, including 6'3" 210-pound forward Kenny Cooper and Gambian centerback Mamadou "Futty" Danso. The latter has scored on two occasions in 2011 via set pieces, and United's backline will need to deal with the physical presence of both men. Captain Jack Jewsbury has flourished under Spencer, starting all 10 of Portland's League games, recording two goals and five assists in those contests. Cooper leads the Timbers in scoring with three goals.

UNITED NOTES

With United heading to LA for a June 3 contest with the Galaxy immediately after the Portland match, expect Ben Olsen's travel roster to be larger than usual for this West Coast trip.
Former Timbers goalkeeper Steve Cronin is unlikely to make the Portland trip due to the impending birth of his first child. Cronin's wife Laura is set to have a baby girl at any moment.
United Academy product Conor Shanosky played his first minutes for the Black-and-Red's senior team on May 22 against AFC Ajax. Said Shanosky of getting on the pitch for the first time, "It was a special moment. This club means a lot to me and growing up in this area it was a great experience to play in front of our fans." Shanosky also recently played 45 minutes for the United States Under-20's in an international friendly against France in Vichy on May 19.
Following the Portland game, United's next two matches will be against clubs affected by the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Los Angeles will be without the services of Landon Donovan (United States) and goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts (Jamaica). On June 11 United returns home to RFK Stadium to face San Jose, who will be without striker Chris Wondolowski (United States) and forward/midfielder Ryan Johnson (Jamaica).