Timbers swap Cronin for DC stalwart Perkins

[epjr]

Former Goalkeeper of the Year set to man nets in Portland

The Portland Timbers made a dynamic move to shore up their position in goal for 2011 on Friday, trading current netminder Steve Cronin to D.C. United for former MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Troy Perkins.

Perkins, who was named the league’s top goalkeeper in 2006 and won back-to-back Supporters’ Shields with DC in 2006 and 2007, also spent two seasons in Norway, where he helped lead Valerenga IF to the 2008 Norwegian Cup. He also won an MLS Cup with D.C. United in 2004, starting 16 games during the regular season that year.

“Today, we’ve acquired one of the best American goalkeepers in MLS,” Timbers head coach John Spencer said in a statement. “With his valuable MLS experience and proven leadership, Troy has the ability and character to make a huge impact in Portland. I am delighted to have him on board with us, and we feel we’ve taken another step in the right direction with our plans to build a very competitive group that can compete with the best in MLS in 2011.”

www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/timbers-swap-cronin-dc-stalwart-perkins

[epjr]

Onstad is "best option" in DC goal

United asst. to return to nets as Cronin hurt, Hamid recovering

WASHINGTON — With mounting injury concerns in goal, D.C. United announced Thursday night that assistant coach Pat Onstad is coming out of retirement and returning to play for the club.

“Pat is our best option in goal right now for the situation we’re in,” head coach Ben Olsen told DCUnited.com. “Pat is an extremely experienced player that can bring stability to our back line – we are very lucky to have him.”

United find themselves in a bit of a goalkeeping crisis as Steve Cronin, acquired during the offseason in exchange for Troy Perkins, fractured his wrist in training last week and will be out approximately eight to 10 weeks. Youngster Bill Hamid is still recovering from offseason shoulder surgery and United weren't keen on rushing the former academy player back into the net.

According to a D.C. United spokesman, there are no current plans to invite other 'keepers into camp, and Onstad will immediately begin training with the first team out in California. The length of his return isn’t yet known either.

www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/onstad-best-option-dc-goal