Portland Heart of Pines celebrated the club’s debut game with a reounding 4-0 victory over CD Faialense at a foggy Franklin Athletic Complex in Lewiston, Maine. Hearts advanced to the Second Round of the 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup led by a brace from forward Azaad Liadi who is on a season-long loan from Lexington SC in USL League One.
CD Faialense, based out of Cambridge, Mass. were the Bay State Soccer League (BSSL) Division One champions in back-to-back years (2023 and 2024). Coached by Paul Correia, the CD Faialense looked to counter quickly and capitalize on set pieces. The Portland Pines, led by head coach Bobby Murphy, showed strength in the midfield led by Varela and teammate Ollie Wright who joined Hearts from Huntsville City FC where he was club’s all-time leader in appearances and assists.
It was standing room only at the stadium with a reported crowd of 3,281 in attendance. The venue in Lewiston was chosen because the multi-million dollars renovation of Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland is not completed yet.
That crowd witnessed Maine soccer history on Thursday night. It marked the first competitive game for the Pine Tree State’s first-ever professional soccer team. According to TheCup.us records, in the 109 previous editions of the US Open Cup, there have only been six games played by Maine clubs and all of them were by amateur side GPS Portland Phoenix between 2012-2017. Out of those six matches, only one of them was a win.
Portland didn’t take long to get on the path toward equaling that win total. The opening goal scored in the 17th minute by midfielder Walter Varela marked the first goal in program history. The composed right-footed finish slotted past the hands of Lucas Verge completed a quick attack up the left wing.
The Pines enjoyed the majority of possession in the first half, dominating CD Faialense in shots, 7-3. Dynamic movement from outside backs Jaden Jones-Riley and Nathan Messer (who gave the Pines a four-goal lead in the 68th minute) were key to the Pines attack.
Liadi’s first goal of the night was scored at the 29th minute when the forward connected a left footed volley off of a cross from teammate Titus Washington.
CD Faialense began to apply pressure towards the end of the first half, but often failed to connect passes in the midfield. An early sub at the 43rd minute for midfielder Guilherme Barbosa left CD Faialense scoreless at half despite two free kicks from outside.
Despite renewed pressure from CD Faialense, the Pines were able to capitalize in the 62nd minute off a rebounded shot. Liadi collected his second goal of the day with a right footed finish off of a save from Titus Washington’s shot.
Six minutes later, 23-year-old Nathan Messer hammered home a left footed inswinger off of a free kick. Now leading 4-0, the Pines subbed in Lewiston native midfielder Kahlid Hersi who is the first player from Maine to join the club. Hersi, who helped lead Lewiston High School to a 2019 state final his freshman year, had a warm reception from fans.
Despite heavy pressure from CD Faialense at the end resulting in two saves from keeper Hunter Morse who assisted FC Cincinnati in winning the Northeast Division title in 2024, the Pines maintained the shut out.
Moving forward, for Head Coach Bobby Murphy, fast transitions and direct play will be the key to the Pines’ success. When asked about Portland’s style of play, Head Coach Bobby Murphy replied “I think possession is one of the most misleading stats in the game. It doesn’t equate the goals, so we want to be effective in our possession.”
In a post-game interview, Murphy also emphasized the importance of capturing the momentum of a strong start. He discussed the challenges of managing a young team and the importance of veteran guidance within personnel.
The Portland Hearts of Pine will face Naples FC for the regular season on March 29 in Naples, Florida.