CHearts Push League Leaders to the Brink in Charlotte
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Portland Hearts of Pine pushed the top team in USL League One to the brink Wednesday night, turning a halftime deficit into a 2-1 second-half lead before two stoppage-time goals gave Charlotte Independence a 3-2 victory.
Charlotte entered the night in first place in the league standings and riding a six-match unbeaten run, but Portland responded to an early deficit with one of its strongest stretches of the night after halftime.
Charlotte opened the scoring in the 20th minute, sending the Hearts into the break trailing 1-0.
Portland came out of halftime with renewed energy and found its breakthrough in the 59th minute when Matteo Kidd brought the Hearts level.
Just six minutes later, Michel Poon-Angeron completed the turnaround.
Poon-Angeron found the back of the net in the 65th minute for his first USL League One goal in a Hearts shirt, putting Portland ahead 2-1 on the road against the league leaders.
The two goals capped a strong response from the Hearts, who went from chasing the match to putting themselves in position to leave Charlotte with all three points.
Portland defended its advantage deep into the second half as Charlotte pushed forward in search of an equalizer.
Wednesday night also marked Mikey Lopez’s 50th appearance for Hearts of Pine, a milestone for one of the players who has helped build the foundation of the club.
Since joining Hearts, Lopez has been a leader both on and off the field, helping establish the standards and culture of the club during its formative years. His 50th appearance came on a night that showed the fight and resilience this group continues to bring.
Portland remained ahead deep into stoppage time before Charlotte found an equalizer in the 96th minute. Two minutes later, the hosts scored again to complete the late comeback.
The ending was a difficult one after the Hearts had put themselves in position for a statement road win, but the performance offered plenty to build on.
Portland went into the home of the league leaders, responded to a halftime deficit and got second-half goals from Kidd and Poon-Angeron to take control of the match.
The Hearts now return to Fitzpatrick Stadium on Sunday to face Westchester SC, looking to carry that second-half performance back home in front of their supporters.