Portland Hearts of Pine 3, Greenville 2: Three Thoughts
The red-hot Hearts have won three straight games.
Portland Hearts of Pine collected their third straight win by defeating Greenville Triumph SC 3-2 on Wednesday night.
Here are three thoughts from the game.
Morse’s First Half Heroics
Greenville got on the board in the 15th minute when Ropapa Mensah took advantage of a failed header and hit a clean right-footed shot.
The home side easily could’ve had more as they had 12 shots (six on target) before halftime, but Hunter Morse made sure the game stayed tight.
The netminder, who spent two seasons in Cincinnati before coming to Portland, has been a regular on the USL League One Team of the Week (four honors, including one on the bench).
Veterans Step Up
Much has been said about Hearts’ young roster, but they do have some experienced players. This is helpful during trying times.
Hearts grabbed an equalizer during first-half stoppage time when Mikey Lopez dribbled inside and used the outside of his foot to find Masashi Wada in an advanced position.
Wada added to his highlight reel by megging an opponent and finishing at the far post. He now has two goals in two games.
Lopez, 32, is the hard-working central midfielder who is going to put everything into every game (which does lead to cards).
Wada, 28, is a technical player who is dangerous anytime he’s near the goal.
Never Say Die
Hearts got a lift when they equalized just before halftime, but positive feelings waned in the 50th minute when a cross-field ball sailed over Morse to fall comfortably for Rodrigo Robles.
Just like that, Hearts were down again.
Titus Washington and Jay Tee Kamara were difference-makers when they came on as substitutes. Washington challenged the backline with his movement and frame, while Kamara used quick feet to push forward.
Kamara equalized in the 80th minute after collecting a pass from Nathan Messer. It’s his second goal in as many games.
Washington got the stoppage-time winner by converting a chance created by Kamara. The comeback was even more impressive when you consider that Hearts went down to 10 men when Michel Poon-Angeron was shown his second yellow card in the 85th minute.
Hearts are now sixth in the League One Standings. Next up is a home game against Chattanooga Red Wolves SC on Saturday, September 13.