Hearts of Pine Valuing Break After Busy Start
Hearts are on an 11-day break as they prepare to face Hartford Athletic.
Portland Hearts of Pine welcomed a break after a busy start to their inaugural season.
Hearts began the year balancing U.S. Open Cup and league play, playing four games in 13 days at one point.
While all three cup matches were held in Lewiston, ME, the league games took place in Naples, Florida, Spokane, Washington, and Statesboro, Georgia.
“I think this has been a tough stretch, being on the road as much as we’ve had,” head coach Bobby Murphy said after being knocked out of the Open Cup. “Even when we’ve been home, it’s been quick. We haven’t really trained in two weeks.”
The team is now in the midst of an eleven-day break, which will allow them to get healthy and fully integrate new players.
Hearts fans got their first glimpse at Natty James against Rhode Island FC. The 20-year-old almost found the back of the net in his debut.
“I think he’s just a goal threat,” Murphy said. “He’s always goal-dangerous. He bangs in goals for the [Trinidad and Tobago] National Team. He scored again against Cuba in the last window.”
Masashi Wada has logged significant minutes despite limited time in the United States. The Japanese attacker showcased his flair during a 90-minute performance against RIFC.
“As we integrate him and Natty, we have to learn how to play with them now,” Murphy said. “The players have to recognize what their strengths are and where they want the ball. If you haven’t had Masashi and then all of a sudden you drop him in, you forget that he’s there at times.
“Every time that kid wants the ball, I would give it to him because good things are going to happen. That’s just another process that we can hopefully grow over the next couple of weeks when we slow down a little bit.”
The break also allows Murphy to highlight some of the tactics he wants to implement. The head coach stated that watching video will be crucial as the team seeks to solidify its identity.
“I think these will be really big teaching days,” Murphy said.
Titus Washington, the goalscorer against Rhode Island, recognized that Hearts have room to grow. While every game has been close, the club is 0-1-2 in league play.
“Bobby keeps reiterating that it’s a learning curve,” Washington said. “We can take something from every game. We lost to [Rhode Island], but what can we improve? What can we do better? We’re catching on.”
Hearts will face less schedule congestion now that they’re out of the Open Cup.
On Saturday, they head to Connecticut to face Hartford Athletic in the Jagermeister Cup. One week later, they open up Fitzpatrick Stadium.
“I think once we get a little time to heal up and rest up, we’ll have a right go again at Hartford and then we’re back home for a little bit,” Murphy said.