Signing a player takes time. Just ask Portland Hearts of Pine head coach and sporting director Bobby Murphy.

Hearts have been without key contributors Masashi Wada and Titus Washington for the bulk of their sophomore campaign. While the desire to find alternatives was always there, it was important to identify the right pieces.

Hearts ultimately added midfielder Diego Gonzalez on a season-long loan from the Houston Dynamo and forward Dylan Sing on a two-month loan with an option to extend from Indy Eleven.

"It takes time, and you'd rather be a little patient and maybe get kicked in the teeth a little bit on the front end than go rushing out and signing somebody that's not going to fit, that's not going to work, that you're stuck with for the year," Murphy told The Blazing Musket. "I think our patience and discipline are going to pay off with those two."

Gonzalez has looked the part, scoring three goals in four games. Sing, who stands at 6'3, created two chances in 32 minutes against FC Naples.

Wading through the deep player pool is a process, especially since each league operates differently. To help, Hearts added an analyst this year.

"One thing I give Ford credit for is he knows it's not the be-all and end-all," Murphy said. "There are limits to the data, so it makes working with him really easy because there's [also] video and there's personality."

Murphy used Josh Drack as an example. The left back's numbers didn't stand out, but that was connected to the system he played in last year. Conversations among the technical staff determined that the former midfielder would be a fit for Hearts.

Sing graded well analytically, with Murphy saying he was "under the radar a little bit."

The Western Michigan University product scored eight goals in each of his two seasons with Crown Legacy in MLS Next Pro. He produced two goals in ten appearances in the USL Championship this year, but wasn't high on Indy's depth chart.

Hearts assistant coach Alex Ryan, who worked with Sing at the Seacoast United Phantoms, spoke highly of the striker, prompting Murphy to pick up the phone.

"There was sort of a logjam there, so he became available," Murphy said.

Murphy has been praised for his ability to recruit players. One thing he does is make it clear to the incoming player that he's wanted.

"Some of these kids go out on loan [and] they feel like they're being shipped out," Murphy explained. "So we wanted to make it clear to [Sing] that we actually singled him out and pursued him.

"It's not like Indy's casting him away. We wanted you, and we went and got you. So I think that adds another layer of excitement for him....He's really valued here, and we can help him in his career and move him on. We're a place that really cares about him and believes in him. And he can help us."

Gonzalez recently recalled his conversation with Murphy, noting, "He's a good guy." The two previously encountered each other in MLS Next Pro; Murphy was head coach of St. Louis 2, and Gonzalez was playing with Houston Dynamo 2.

"He knows me, he knows the way I play, and he told me that there was a role that he wanted me to play," Gonzalez said. "I felt like I fit that role, very specifically. So I was like, why not? Let's give it a try. It's a different experience. I'm away from town for the first time, but I'm liking it."

Allowing the recruitment process to play out at its own pace also provided opportunities to others on the roster.

Aboubacar Camara made the most of his opportunity, scoring four goals in five games to earn a nomination for USL League One Player of the Month for June.

Hearts could add another striker, but it's nothing to rush into.

"Titus will be back in the next couple of weeks, so we'll see where he is," Murphy said. "Abou [Camara] has come on better than we thought, so full credit to him for taking an opportunity.

"I think if the right guy came along, we'd possibly add somebody, but I think we're pretty good."