Portland Hearts of Pine Suffer First USL 1 Loss
The Hearts have yet to win a league match.
The Portland Hearts of Pine suffered their first USL League One loss, with South Georgia Tormenta defeating the Hearts 2-1.
Some new faces entered the starting lineup as Kashope Oladapo started in net behind a backline of Jaden Jones-Riley, Samuel Mahlamäki Camacho, Sean Vinberg, and Shandon Wright. Patricl Langlois and Michel Poon-Angeron were the men in the middle, while Evan Southern and Mickey Reilly were out wide. Azaad Liadi and Jake Keegan were the striker pairing up top.
Across the pitch, there was some New England representation as former University of Vermont and Vermont Green FC striker Yaniv Bazini started for South Georgia. Also former RIFC defender Gabriel Alves made the starting XI for Portland’s opponent.
The match got off to a rough start as South Georgia scored less than 10 minutes into the match. Off of a throw in, Bazini launched a ball into the box, and Aaron Walker controlled the ball and laid it off to Mason Tunbridge, who found the back of the net with a neat finish. It was Tunbridge’s fourth goal of the season.
The Hearts press forced some turnovers but Portland struggled to maintain possession. Portland got a life line in the 25th minute as Reilly was fouled inside the box, giving the Hearts a chance to score from the spot.
Unfortunately for Portland, South Georgia goalkeeper Austin Pack made a kick save to maintain Tormenta’s lead. After having his penalty kick saved, Liadi got another chance as a poor touch from Pack saw the striker get a point-blank chance, but his shot struck the post.
Liadi and Portland seemed to grow into the game and got more attacking chances but entered halftime down a goal. After the rapid start, South Georgia struggled to create chances but made the most of the early opportunity.
Nathan Messer came into the match at half as he replaced Mahlamäki Camacho. Then in the 60th minute, Ollie Wright, Mikey Lopez, and Titus Washington came into the match for Keegan, Southern, and Poon-Angeron.
Liadi continued to get chances early in the second half but failed to find the back of the net. Whether it be in the air or with his feet, the striker was creating chances he just couldn’t finish them.
Portland made another sub in the 74th minute as Walter Varela replaced Reilly. Still down a goal, head coach Bobby Murphy put all his attacking chips on the table.
The Hearts got a lifeline in the 79th minute as after already receiving a yellow card earlier in the match, Tormenta defender Anatolie Prepelita took down Liadi to earn a straight red card.
The ensuing free kick saw Messer launch a curling free kick towards goal and the rebound fell to Langlois, who leveled the score for Portland.
But the elation for the Hearts ended rather quickly as Bazini secured another assist in the 83rd minute as he played Niall Reid-Stephen forward, and the 23-year-old’s shot went through Oladipo’s legs and into the net.
It was disappointing for Portland as the Hearts largely defended well but two mistakes turned into two goals for South Georgia. Murphy and his men will also be wishing that they were able to take advantage of the scoring chances they received throughout the match.
The Hearts return to play in the middle of the week as they take on Rhode Island FC in the U.S. Open Cup at Lewiston High School. Fans in Maine will be hoping that the Open Cup darlings will be able to keep the magic alive and record another cupset against a USL Championship side.