Looking to snap a three-match losing streak, Portland Hearts of Pine instead saw their slide reach four matches Friday night as Westchester SC cruised to a 5-1 victory at Memorial Field in Mount Vernon, New York.
The loss dropped Hearts below Westchester in the USL League One standings and extended Portland’s road winless streak to nine matches since opening the season with a 3-1 victory over New York Cosmos.
Portland controlled possession for much of the opening stages and nearly found an early breakthrough in the ninth minute when Aboubacar Camara got behind the Westchester defense, but goalkeeper Luca Marinelli was able to smother the attempt.
While Hearts enjoyed possession early on, Westchester generated several dangerous opportunities. Hunter Morse, was tested several times in the first half, denying Jonathan Jiménez and Noah Powder to keep the match scoreless.
Westchester’s breakthrough came in the 27th minute. After Morse tipped a Westchester attempt over the crossbar, Noah Powder’s ensuing corner found the head of Conor McGlynn, who sent a header into the net from close range for a 1-0 lead.
Portland nearly responded moments later when Jaden Jones-Riley played a ball forward to JayTee Kamara, who found Diego Gonzalez in front of goal. Marinelli was well positioned to secure the attempt and preserve the lead.
The hosts doubled their advantage in first-half stoppage time when Josh Drack was called for a foul on defender Maximus Jennings inside the penalty area. McGlynn stepped to the spot and converted the penalty, sending the home side into halftime with a 2-0 lead.
Hearts looked to respond after the break but Westchester's pressure continued, and the lead grew to 3-0 in the 54th minute when Jiménez collected the ball outside the penalty area, drove toward goal, and beat Morse with a low left-footed strike inside the far post.
Westchester continued to push forward and added a fourth goal in the 72nd minute. Daniel Burko found Miguel Diaz in the box, and the forward spun away from his defender before firing a left-footed shot into the top corner.
Jiménez completed his brace in the 88th minute, driving into the penalty area and placing a shot into the lower left corner to make it 5-0.
Portland avoided the shutout deep into stoppage time. After Marinelli denied Camara moments earlier, Ollie Wright slipped a pass into the box in the 93rd minute. Camara turned his defender and drilled a shot past Marinelli for his third goal of the season, providing the final 5-1 tally.
Despite controlling stretches of possession throughout the match, Hearts struggled to create consistent quality chances while Westchester made the most of their chances.
Portland will need rebound to quickly as they continue with the League One campaign on Wednesday when it hosts Richmond Kickers on Wednesday at Fitzpatrick Stadium.
