Portland Timbers 2 4-3 Newcastle United - Superb Aarons Double Not Enough For Tourists

If Steve McClaren didn't know what Newcastle United's biggest problem defensively has been for the past few seasons, then he certainly does now. Set-pieces have been a shambles both offensively and defensively for the Magpies for years - and playing a back four with only one recognised centre-back in it certainly didn't help matters. Centre-backs are a priority for the Magpies and, although Chancel Mbemba is set to arrive later this week - with his medical potentially pencilled in for Thursday - more need to follow as the Newcastle defence were breached four times in a 4-3 defeat to Portland Timbers 2. However, the main bright spark for Newcastle was the continued emergence of Rolando Aarons. The youngster bagged a brace - including a magnificent overhead kick - to drag United back into the game, but for some reason the visitors only decided to start playing after 75 minutes. Despite it taking Georginio Wijnaldum just six minutes into his full Newcastle debut to score and put the tourists ahead, the Magpies somehow found themselves 3-1 down by the 30th minute. Two of those goals came courtesy of woeful set-piece defending. Yes this is only a pre-season friendly, and yes this was a makeshift back four to say the very least, but McClaren's men have looked vulnerable at best in each of their three matches Stateside - including in this one against an MLS reserve team at Providence Park. When the Magpies team was announced, confusion surrounded how Newcastle would line up. And, once Gael Bigirimana, Lubomir Satka, Shane Ferguson and Aarons organised in defence in a fluid 4-3-3/4-1-4-1 formation, heads were certainly being scratched. Incredibly it all started so well for Newcastle as well, with £14.5 million signing Wijnaldum putting the tourists ahead after only six minutes. Aarons did well down the left and whipped in a perfectly-placed cross, which the former PSV Eindhoven man slotted home from only eight yards.

But, after a positive start, things fell apart in the 13th minute. A slip from Satka 35 yards out allowed Kharlton Belmar to get in behind the Newcastle defence and, despite a good save with his leg from Karl Darlow, Fatawu Safiu slotted home the rebound. Then, 10 minutes later, Timbers 2 were ahead. Michael Nanchoff whipped in a dangerous free-kick which Anthony Manning - who was completely unmarked at the back post - headed home. Unsurprisingly another set-piece caused United's undoing once more in the 30th minute. A corner from Nanchoff - whose crossing was majestic all game - saw Rennico Clarke jump highest and nod a header down towards the Magpies goal. A scramble at the back post ensued and, after more woeful Newcastle defending, Taylor Peay stabbed home. With the tourists struggling so badly defensively and most-particularly from set-pieces, Daryl Janmaat arrived off the bench for Wijnaldum and he slotted in at centre-back, with Aarons pushing forward and Ferguson moving to left-back.

Early in the second-half, Yoan Gouffran and Perez went close with efforts, but the Magpies struggled to find a goal that would reignite a comeback. In fact, Belmar's pace continued to cause Newcastle problems, as it did all game, and it was a stupid foul on the forward by Yoan Gouffran on the edge of the Toon box that almost brought a fourth for the home side. Nanchoff, the Timbers 2 captain, whipped an excellent free-kick over the wall and on to the underside of the bar, which substitute stopper Freddie Woodman could only be grateful didn't end up in the back of his net. Woodman though was certainly more assertive from set-pieces than Darlow, with the 18-year-old willing to come and punch or catch crosses in order to help out his struggling back four. But after 70 minutes Timber 2's fourth goal did arrive. Jeanderson found himself by the corner flag but still managed to whip in a dangerous cross, which Nick Besler met at the backpost to head home after brushing off Bigirimana's limp challenge. Woodman was helpless, and Newcastle were 4-1 down.

Amazingly though, within six minutes, the deficit was back to just one as Aarons showed why he must play out wide for Newcastle this season. Bigirimana crossed, and the 19-year-old brilliantly positioned his body before flicking the ball up to himself and then scoring a magnificent overhead kick from 10 yards out that the keeper had no chance with. Then, just 60 seconds later, he was at it again as Gabriel Obertan's cross found Aarons on the edge of the area, and the England youth international smashed a left-footed shot past the Timbers 2 stopper. With substitute Siem de Jong then forcing a decent save from a free-kick just moments later, for some reason Newcastle had started to play with just 15 minutes left - sparked into life by their exciting young winger. Unfortunately, it was all a case of "too little, too late", with the mortal damage done in the first-half. One positive was that this was the first time Newcastle had scored three in a match since January, but the four they conceded put a significant dampener on that. Thankfully, it's fair to say Bigirimana, Satka, Ferguson and Aarons will not line up as Newcastle's back four in the Premier League come August. Defensive reinforcements remain the priority - because when fans are calling for Mike Williamson to improve things, you know that the Magpies are simply not as strong as they should be... Portland Timbers 2 (4-2-3-1): Gleeson (Luthy 49); Peay, Clarke, Manning, Thoma; Besler, Fochive, Jeanderson, Nanchoff, Fatawu (Gavin 64); Belmar (Winchester 64) Subs Not Used: Evans, Delbridge, Payne, Casiple, Biglieri Goals: Fatawu (13), Manning (23), Peay (30), Besler (70) Yellow Card: Fochive Newcastle United (4-3-3): Darlow (Woodman 46); Bigirmana, Satka, Ferguson; Aarons, Abeid (Anita 65), Wijnaldum (Janmaat 46), Gouffran (De Jong 76), Sissoko (Obertan 46); Perez, Cisse (Armstrong 46)Goals: Wijnaldum (6), Aarons (75 and 76) Yellow Card: Abeid And CLICK HERE to read the Player Ratings from the game.For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow whatculture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.