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 to Sarasota Paradise, 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 is now 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 match Sunday was the first of two friendlies in four days against Sarasota. The return match in what’s been dubbed the Snowbird Cup is Wednesday in Florida. 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 of their 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 backside 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).