Portland Hearts of Pine Breeze Past CD Faialense 4-0 in Inaugural Match
A first match. A first goal. A first win for the Pine Tree State club on the pitch.
Maine’s first-ever professional team hosted its first-ever match at a packed Lewiston High School. The Portland Hearts of Pine demolished amateur side CD Faialense 4-0 Thursday night on Don Roux Field, and the theme of the night was firsts.
A first match. A first goal. A first win for the Pine Tree state on the pitch.
Fans filled the bleachers, and plenty more stood around the edges of the field, accompanying the Dirigo Union supporters group, who proudly waved flags and echoed chants throughout the complex.
It wouldn’t take long for the Hearts of Pine to give those fans something to cheer about. 17 minutes in, Portland found itself on a counterattack, and a deflected cross from the left wing fell perfectly to Walter Varela, who blistered a shot past the CD Faialense keeper for the first goal in the history of the club.
Just 12 minutes later came the best goal of the bunch. A nice combination between Nathan Messer and Titus Washington led to an outstanding cross and an even better finish from Azaad Liadi, who hammed home the volley.
In the second half, the Hearts of Pine would grab two more goals. Liadi completed a brace in the 62nd minute, sweeping in the rebound following a long-distance effort from Washington. Messer put the cherry on top just six minutes later, getting on the scoresheet with a beautifully placed freekick from about 25 yards out to make it a 4-0 game
Hunter Morse was credited with keeping a clean sheet in goal. He made three saves for the Hearts of Pine. With the win, Portland advances to the second round of the competition, where the 16 teams from the USL Championship will be added to the competition.
The next match for the Hearts of Pine will be another first. Portland’s USL League One debut, as they take on FC Naples in Florida on Saturday, March 29. The Hearts’ first true home match in USL League One will be on May 4 at a newly renovated Fitzpatrick Stadium.