PORTLAND, Maine — Portland Hearts of Pine fought back from an early two-goal deficit Saturday night, but Sarasota Paradise pulled away for a 4-1 win at Fitzpatrick Stadium.
A nor’easter moving along the Eastern Seaboard had threatened to make for a stormy evening in Portland, but the weather largely held. Despite the forecast, Hearts supporters once again filled Fitzpatrick Stadium to capacity, with fans continuing to stream through the gates as kickoff approached. Aside from a brief spell of rain after halftime, the anticipated storm never materialized, leaving mostly calm conditions for the match.
Sarasota struck almost immediately. Kisa Kiingi opened the scoring in the fourth minute before Sander Roed doubled the advantage just three minutes later.
Portland responded in the 19th minute through Jay Tee Kamara. After battling through several Sarasota defenders, Kamara finished the move to cut the deficit to 2-1 and give Hearts a way back into the match.
The goal helped Portland settle into the game after a difficult opening stretch. Matteo Kidd, making his first start as Hearts captain, helped lead a side dealing with several significant absences, including Ollie Wright through injury and Mo Mohamed and Michel Poon-Angeron called up for international play.
“It’s an absolute honor,” Kidd said of wearing the armband. “I’m just sad that we didn’t get the result tonight. I’m really disappointed personally in myself. I felt like I let a lot of people down today.”
Hearts continued to create chances. Kamara came close again later in the half with a shot that narrowly missed, while Walter Varela and Jaden Jones-Riley combined to help create an opportunity for Diego Gonzalez that was gathered by the Sarasota goalkeeper.
Portland also threatened from a corner, with Gonzalez delivering for Diego Letayf Escutia, whose header went wide.
But Sarasota regained control before the break. Roed struck again in the 42nd minute for his second of the night, sending the visitors into halftime with a 3-1 advantage.
Head Coach Bobby Murphy felt Portland had given itself an opportunity after Kamara’s goal.
“I thought after that, we got back in the game pretty well at 2-1,” Murphy said. “You get to halftime 2-1 and everybody’s tails are up and thinking we’re back in this. And then the game gets away from us.”
Joshua Drack entered for Jones-Riley to begin the second half, but Sarasota added another in the 51st minute when Romain Gall made it 4-1.
Hearts kept looking for a response, with Kamara creating another dangerous opportunity for Varela, whose effort was stopped by the Sarasota goalkeeper.
The night also marked a welcome return for Drack, who saw action after missing the previous two months through injury.
“From day one, I was focused on getting better every day and having no setbacks,” Josh said. “I was targeting this game, so we were right on time. I’m just glad to be able to play soccer again in front of our fans. I missed playing with my teammates.”
Kidd pointed afterward to the decisive stretches that ultimately separated the sides.
“There’s no excuse for that,” Kidd said. “We have to do better in those moments, and that’s just kind of what it comes down to, especially in this league. Moments, moments, moments.”
Mikey Lopez entered for Letayf Escutia in the 64th minute, followed a minute later by Rodriguez-Gentile for Varela. Former Heart Emiliano Terzaghi entered for Sarasota in the 69th minute, marking his return to Fitzpatrick Stadium.
The match grew increasingly physical down the stretch, with several late fouls and cards as frustrations mounted on both sides. Serigne Mbacke Faye was sent off in stoppage time after becoming tangled up in a challenge, leaving Portland to finish the match with 10 men. Brecc Evans was also booked moments later.
Afterward, Murphy took responsibility for the performance while emphasizing what Hearts still owe their supporters over the closing stretch of the season.
“We owe the fans a huge apology tonight,” Murphy said. “It wasn’t a great night to come out and they still turned out, and we turned up like that. I’m embarrassed. I’m responsible for it. There’s always something to play for, and at the very least, people deserve our very best.”
Hearts now turn their focus to the final four matches of the season taking on Spokane next weekend on the road.