PORTLAND, Maine — Let’s start this off differently. Instead of a traditional match report, I am providing some instant observations (written late Sunday night) from Portland Hearts of Pine’s 2-1 home loss to Forward Madison FC. In the future, I will write fuller articles but given this is one of my first posts for The Hearts’ Beat, I am going to keep it brief but start with an explanation of what to expect here.
Game summaries will be one of the many types of stories. When thinking about the future, I have ambitious plans. I want to interview players and tell stories about them that you have not read. I look forward to delving into tactics and game play with experts. I look forward to answering questions about such topics as, when will the first coach of the women’s team be hired? Or more complicated queries like, how will parking work with the new proposed stadium?
I'm in a unique position that lets me cover the Hearts full-time. So here’s the deal: I don’t plan to charge readers for anything this season. I want to see what I can build, both in terms of interesting stories but also in terms of interest in the work. What happens next season will depend on you and me. We are in this together. I will do the heavy lifting. Hopefully, you get to enjoy it.
Instant Observations:
The Hearts (5-6-9) played with a similar determination as last year’s celebrated squad but without the same late-game magic, losing 2-1 Sunday night at Fitzpatrick Stadium to Forward Madison FC.
Portland had been held scoreless through 85 minutes before Diego Gonzalez sliced the lead in half with a rocket from 28 yards that just kept fading away from the Forward Madison goalkeeper. But the much needed final conversion, that crisp touch or impetuous flick on goal, could not be found despite a flurry of Portland’s attacks deep into the game.
Forward Madison defenders often bullied the smaller Hearts’ players. It’s no surprise but this was the sort of game injured forward Titus Washington was built for, making his loss earlier this season that much more problematic. Without the 6-foot-1 Washington, Portland’s players often found themselves boxed out of play. Meanwhile, Forward Madison ruled the air across the field, easily clearing long balls from Portland’s defense. They also dominated in the penalty box, where forward Bibi Karamoko (on loan from D.C. United in MLS) opened the scoring with a leaping header in the 29th minute.
Hunter Morse (5 saves) kept the game from becoming a rout. He made a diving save of a penalty (a strong effort as his hands blocked the shot, deflected the ball upwards and then off his leg and over the goal). The save denied Karamoko from what would have been his brace only 29 minutes into the match. Morse then made several more highlight-worthy saves in the second half, a combination of dives and quick reactions. There was little he could do on the second goal, a left-curling free kick that buried itself in the side netting from 27 yards.
Fitzpatrick remains as raucous as always, which is really saying something for an environment that is also as fan-friendly as found at every home game. Watching a stadium with as many kids there, all of whom seem glued to the game (I didn’t see a cell phone anywhere), is quite encouraging. And the support from the 6,256 in attendance continued to give the Hearts’ everything they had.
Portland has scored six goals over its last five games, a winless stretch with one tie and four losses that puts the 12th place Hearts in danger of not making the playoffs later this fall. Much like this summer here in Maine on this mid-August night, the opportunities are in danger of fading away. But there’s still time. Portland’s memorable 2025 run to the playoffs began with a win over Westchester SC on August 24. That followed a 0-2-2 stretch, which means the team just needs to find their own heat with a winning streak.
The loss vaulted Forward Madison into third place in USL League One. The team it jumped is next up on the Hearts’ schedule. Fourth place One Knoxville hosts Portland at 7 p.m. on Wednesday.