the only issue with going standby on the earlier flight is the same day standby fee of $50 which presumably would not be waived as it doesn't appear OP has any US/AA status.

if OP is accurately relaying MVP status on his handle, and the flight from PDX-DCA is still >60 days away, it might behoove him/her to look at the possibility of the change fee waiver offered by AS and switch onto the nonstop PDX-BOS.

edit to add: above might be a better deal all around even if OP has to pay the change in fare out of pocket. then book a one way BOS-DCA to get back.