Portland Heart’s of Pine Opening Match: How does the team shape up?

Last Thursday (March 20th) the Portland Hearts of Pine played their inaugural match as part of the first round of the U.S. Open Cup. The U.S. Open Cup is the oldest professional soccer tournament in the United States. Similar to the FA Cup, the U.S. Open Cup includes many teams from various soccer leagues. Portland made its debut against CD Faialense (based in Cambridge, MA). While Fitzpatrick Stadium is still under construction, the game was played at Lewiston High School in Lewiston Maine.

Despite the different location, Portland fans showed up and showed out. According to news articles there was an attendance of over 3,000 fans. Social media posts also display the crowd repping Portland’s iconic jersey—which has already taken USA Soccer social media by storm earlier this year.

News report of match from local Maine channel WMTW

 As for the team, this night was a massive success. Boasting an ending score of 4-0 Hearts, one fails to imagine a better outcome. The cold, drizzy Lewiston night was cut by the team’s determination and the fan’s passion—all contributing to the win. Unlike in other places, in Maine, March is practically another month of winter.

At the 10 minute mark, Walter Varela nicks the first goal delivering a ball from just outside the left side of the box. Also Varela’s birthday, March 20th marks the first ever goal scored for the Hearts of Pine. 19 minutes later Azaad Liadi nails a deflection into the back of the away net. The crowd was left almost shocked at how this crafty goal panned out. 1st half done. Hearts up 2.

17 minutes into the 2nd half Portland yet again scrapes another goal. Liadi is back for more. Located in the apt position, as all good strikers should be, Liadi tips a goalie deflection in—its simple, but it works. Faialense have no response. 4 minutes later, Nathan Messer wants his name on the score sheet. Walking up to take a well-placed free kick just behind the box –nearly center, Messer exudes the confidence of someone who already knows how this will end. He kicks the ball into the right half of the goal – just beyond the reaching had of the Faialense keeper, Lucas Verge.

Verge, the only goalie rostered on the away team undoubtedly had a rough night. However, despite the attack from Portland this amateur soccer team from Cambridge had already achieved its highest level through just qualifying for the Open Cup tournament. Faialense does not hold tryouts and instead builds a roster through mutual connections and team closeness. The team also has a social club attached in Cambridge in which the general public can also apply. This game represents New England soccer at it best and most interesting.

Nearing the end of the match, the Portland, or rather Lewiston, crowd is rocking! The Maine flag depicting a pine tree and north star wave in the bleachers. Fans dance and hold up their scarves—an item at Maine games that also has a functional purpose. Drums, maybe obtained from the adjoining high school, bang in the stands.

The Hearts of Pine now advance to the second round of the U.S. Open Cup. against the Hartford Athletic on April 2nd in Lewiston. The Hartford Athletic are a fellow USL 1 team, sure to give Portland a challenge. Will the hearts rise up? All of the action of the U.S. Open Cup is broadcasted on YouTube, so be sure to check out the action there.

The Hearts of Pine head coach, Bobby Murphy, shares a similar outlook saying that “I’m proud of them and thrilled for them, but know it’s only going to get harder from here” about the team. All of Portland believes that the Hearts are up for the task.

How will the Hearts of Pine fare against Hartford?

• The Hearts have got this!
• Hartford is the stronger team
• It's a toss-up