Hearts of Pine drop a friendly with Sarasota
PORTLAND — It didn’t count in the standings. It also didn’t look much different than recent results for the Portland Hearts of Pine.
In an exhibition game (friendly in soccer terms) Sunday against fellow USL League One franchise Sarasota Paradise, Portland fell behind early, got the tying goal from Ollie Wright in the 69th minute, then allowed the winning goal two minutes later, losing 2-1 at Fitzpatrick Stadium.
It was Portland’s third consecutive 2-1 loss, following USL1 losses to higher-ranked clubs Athletic Club Boise (in Idaho) and last Wednesday at home against Union Omaha.
Portland is 5-7-5 in the league, resting in 11th place, and 6-10-3 across all contests. With 20 points, the Hearts are eight points out of the top eight and playoff contention with 15 league games remaining.
While the game was an exhibition, it drew an announced crowd of 6,335. It was the 30th consecutive sellout at Fitzpatrick Stadium for the second-year club.
The return match Wednesday has been dubbed the Snowbird Cup. The series will be determined by aggregate score, with a round of penalty kicks if necessary. Teams were allowed unlimited substitutions. The Hearts dressed 23 players plus two unnamed practice players (trialists in soccer lingo).
When Portland subbed in Wright, Jay Tee Kamara and Matteo Kidd in the 61st minute, what had been a lackluster offensive thrust (one shot on goal in the first half) did pick up some steam and Wright’s goal, on a back-post header off a Tyler Huck cross, gave the fans something to cheer about on a pleasant summer evening.
Portland’s defense was lacking on the winning goal. Chandler O’Dwyer was left unmarked on the back side of the 6-yard box and was able to get his head down low to pop a sharp shot past Hearts keeper Kash Oladapo (four saves).
Copy the Story Link
Tagged: Hearts of Pine
Steve Craig reports primarily about Maine’s active high school sports scene and, more recently, the Portland Hearts of Pine men's professional soccer team. His first newspaper job was covering Maine. More by Steve Craig
