Bobby Murphy Reflects On First-Ever Hearts of Pine Game
"Firsts are hard to come by in this world, and to get to be first and to be able to be a part of something that means something to so many people is so humbling to me and to the players."
Bobby Murphy has coached many big games in daunting atmospheres, but there was something particularly special about Thursday’s U.S. Open Cup match at Lewiston High School.
Hearts’ first-ever game was highly anticipated, both locally and nationally. Murphy wanted to meet those expectations when his team took the field to face CD Faialense.
“I've been fortunate enough to coach in MLS stadiums, and I was never as nervous as I was tonight, just because of what it means to everyone,” Murphy said. “To have such a great night, and then if we came out and fell on our faces, that would be hard, right?”
Murphy, who has coached in MLS Next Pro, USL League One, USL Championship, and MLS, arrived in Portland in November 2024 as the team’s inaugural sporting director and head coach.
He said he’s felt support from Hearts ownership, even as he’s taken a slightly different approach to building the roster.
“If you look at the average age in the league, it's 27/28 from what I hear,” Murphy said. “Our average age is going to be around 23/24.
“[We have] a lot of guys without experience in the league, but I think we've signed the right veterans. Guys like Mikey [Lopez], Pat [Langlois], and Sean [Vinberg] will help guide those young ones.
“But a lot of people are like, who are they? Who are these kids?”
Thursday’s starting lineup had an average age of 25 and featured players with various experience levels.
The players did well, however, holding a 2-0 lead at halftime. They then scored two more to collect a 4-0 win.
“[It’s] just sticking to what I believe: That kids can come good and will come good,” Murphy said of the roster build. “There'll be nights where they'll look like kids, and it will happen, but hopefully, we grow from those and bounce back and keep grinding.”
Thursday’s game meant a lot to many groups, including ownership, players, and fans.
Supporters arrived when the gates opened at 5:15 and didn’t stop coming until there were over 3,000 people in attendance.
All were ready to witness history despite the rainy and cold conditions.
“Firsts are hard to come by in this world, and to get to be first and to be able to be a part of something that means something to so many people is so humbling to me and to the players,” Murphy said. “It is not lost on them what we saw tonight in terms of a turnout on a Thursday night in less-than-ideal weather conditions.
“So I hope it's just the start. I think in our sport we've seen one-offs. I think we, as a club and as a staff and as players, have a continuing responsibility to build on what we saw tonight.”
Murphy expressed various emotions after the game, saying, “I'm relieved. I'm happy, I'm thrilled, I'm grateful, and I’m tired.”
Hearts now turn their attention to league play while they wait to hear who they’ll face in the next round of the U.S. Open Cup.
Portland opens the 2025 USL season on Saturday, March 29th, when they travel to face FC Naples. The club plays three games on the road, plus a Jagermeiser Cup road game, before opening at Fitzpatrick Stadium on Sunday, May 4.