Yuta Nomura Introduces Masashi Wada to Portland Hearts Of Pine
Bobby Murphy signs another attacking midfielder
Is Masashi Wada Bobby Murphy’s answer to finding another striker to pair with Titus Washington? Will Masashi Wada and Mickey Riley compete for the CAM behind Titus? Can both be true?
The Portland Hearts of Pine signed Masashi Wada after leaving Thespa Gunma in the second division of the Japan Professional Football League (J2 League) in 2024. The Japanese native was seeking an opportunity to play overseas when Hearts of Pine goalkeeper coach Yuta Nomura introduced him to Hearts of Pine.
Wada began his youth career with Yokohama F. Marinos in 2010 and advanced to his senior team in J1 League in 2016. In 2020, he joined SC Sagamihara, making 53 appearances and scoring five goals over two seasons. He then signed with Iwate Grulla Morioka in 2022 before transferring to Thespa Gunma in 2024.
Wada's recent statistics tell us he’s a dribbler who will help move the ball into dangerous attacking positions. The Japanese attacker will give Murphy’s Hearts of Pine an option to dribble the ball down the center of the pitch.
The left side of the attack looked strong against Hartford, and the attack on the right provided two goals as well. Murphy felt the need to strengthen the ball carrying in the center of the park. Dribbling in tight spaces and threading passes between the lines is exactly what Wada brings to the Hearts.
The roster now sits at 20 players. Will Murphy land a second striker, or is this the last piece to the 2025 Hearts of Pine?