15 Things We Learned From Newcastle Vs. Portland Timbers 2

3. Karl Darlow Has Some Way To Go - Freddie Woodman Is Going To Be A Star

Dalow played the first half. Woodman played the second. United conceded three in the first half. United conceded just one in the second. Why? Because young Freddie showed ability and courage beyond his 18-years to dominate his area and deal with the endless amounts of crosses and long balls Portland were aiming for poor old Lubo Satka and Shane Ferguson. United's two centre backs were never going to win any aerial duels with Portland's huge attack, the the England U19 international took responsibility and dealt with the situation himself. Darlow on the other hand, who is Woodman's senior by some six years, decided to stay on his line for the vast majority of the first half and was nothing more than a sitting duck as Timber's six-foot-plus defenders quickly took the game away from United. On top of that, goalkeeper coach Andy Woodman's son is a much more accomplished footballer with the ball at his feet, making him far more suitable to the style of play Steve McClaren is trying to implement. As things stand, surely two very impressive displays from Freddie over in America has shunted him ahead of Darlow in the pecking order?