The Portland Hearts of Pine played to a 0-0 draw with host FC Naples in the Hearts’ USL League One season opener Saturday night in front of 4,294 fans at the Paradise Sports Complex in Naples, Florida.
In the meeting between two of the professional men’s soccer league’s five expansion teams, Portland had one strong chance to break the tie in the 86th minute. Titus Washington collected a long forward pass from Jaden Jones-Riley near the end line just to the right of the goal. Washington’s tight-angle shot skidded across the goal. Hunter Morse earned the shutout in goal for Portland.
Naples remains in first place in the 14-team league with eight points (three for a win, one for a draw) and is now 2-0-2. Portland (0-0-1) will return to Maine to face USL Championship team Hartford Athletic FC on Wednesday in the second round of the U.S. Open Cup at Lewiston High. The Hearts return to League One play Saturday in Spokane, Washington, against Spokane Velocity FC (1-1-1).
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