Titus Washington Ready To Score Goals For Hearts Of Pine
"That’s just the beginning.”
Titus Washington hopes Tuesday’s goal is the first of many for Portland Hearts of Pine.
The 24-year-old showed glimpses of what he can do during the first 45 minutes against Rhode Island FC, but it all came together during the second half.
Operating as a single striker, Washington battled for every ball, made runs in behind, and showcased an ability to shoot.
In the 65th minute, he beat RIFC goalkeeper Jackson Lee after accepting a ball from Michel Poon-Angeron.
The crowd at Lewiston High School came alive as Hearts now only trailed Rhode Island 2-1 in the Third Round of the U.S. Open Cup.
“It was a huge roar,” Washington said. “I haven’t heard anything like that in a long time. It was unbelievable. Once I laced it, it hit off the keeper, and it ended up in the back of the net; there’s no better feeling than seeing it roll back there.”
Washington noted that he struggled to bring the ball down and get support during the first half. A pep talk led to a stronger second stanza.
“I was just talking to myself, saying I need to be stronger, I need to be a little more ruthless and selfish with it,” Washington said. “I think that worked out for me. I got more touches on the ball, I got in more duels, I won more headers. I think something flipped in the second half, and it worked.”
Head coach Bobby Murphy sees great potential in Washington, who collected eight goals and eight assists in 20 games at Seattle University.
Transitioning to the professional game was always going to take some time. Murphy already sees progress six games in.
“I think with him, he's got a pretty, pretty great, [but] yet not yet matured skill set,” Murphy explained. “He's got to learn to play different ways.
“I think the first half, and the other two times we played against Rhode Island, he's tried to get in a street fight with that center back. You know what I mean? He's just not going to win that. But now he started turning him, and he started running the channels, and now he's running him.
“I think if he can consistently add that variety to him, to his game, he'll just continue to grow. We talked a lot to him about getting him behind and stretching people, and I thought he did that in the second half. I think he’s just going to continue to grow and blossom.”
When asked if more goals are coming, Washington answered with complete confidence.
“100%. That’s just the beginning.”