While no one will question the value of a team talk followed by karaoke, it's important to recognize that injuries have plagued Portland Hearts of Pine this year. Recent performances have shown what the team can be when everyone is healthy.
Titus Washington, who has struggled to get a run of games, collected his first goal of the season in the 2-2 road draw against Union Omaha on May 9.
“You saw he gave those two [defenders] fits in Omaha,” head coach Bobby Murphy said. “[Brent] Kallman was in MLS forever, and he resorted to going through the back of him a few times just to try and unnerve him.”
One week later, Washington made his fourth start of the season, helping Hearts to a 2-1 home win over Rhode Island FC. While he showcased his hold-up play in the build before the penalty kick, the second-year professional did his best work when stretching the opponent.
“He’s a big threat in behind, so he keeps the backline busy,” Hunter Morse said. “In the first half, he kept them busy by running in behind, and then they started to drop off, open up the middle of the field a little bit, so we can play.”
Washington had some scoring opportunities against RIFC that didn’t come to fruition, which is something to work on.
“I think Titus still has to clean up his feet a little bit, and should have taken the chance down there, but he gives you a presence, and that allows the people underneath him to operate,” Murphy explained.
Saturday marked the return of Walter Varela, who missed time due to a hernia surgery done during the preseason. Hearts’ first-ever goalscorer was lively and played the cross that led to the penalty.
“Walter is a good example of a guy who is this club,” Murphy said. "Not to have him on the field and feeling fully invested in the locker room because he’s on his own training and that sort of thing, that’s just another piece of the puzzle.”
Kemali Green stated that Varela’s return is “huge” because he’s a “super funny” person who is “able to use his experience, his quality to help us in many ways.”
Morse offered similar praise.
“I love Walt,” Morse said. “He’s my boy. I think he’s one of the best out there. Just his IQ on the field is, I think, one of the best on the team. He knows where to be and where not to be on the field, on and off the ball.”
Morse noted that Varela's story aligns with the state's ethos, as the Bunker Hill Community College standout has had to fight for every opportunity.
"That's like Maine, right?" Morse said. "The Maine way: nothing comes easy, and you've got to work for what you've got. Walt has always worked hard for what he deserves."
Hearts will hope to continue to collect good results as the team continues to get healthier.
