Four games into its USL League One season, the Portland Hearts of Pine made two significant and connected roster moves this week to try to solidify their left back position.

The position was a consistent strength last season when Nathan Messer turned in an all-USL1 campaign. Since Messer’s preseason transfer to Charleston Battery of USL Championship, multiple players have played the position, including regular right back Mo Mohamed, who switched sides and made the start in a 0-0 tie against One Knoxville in the home opener on April 11 at Fitzpatrick Stadium. Mohamed was then replaced by Zion Scarlett.

This week, Portland released Adam Armour and signed Josh Drack. Armour played in Portland’s first four games at left back, making three starts as he shared time with Scarlett. Armour did not dress against Knoxville. Drack, 26, made 21 starts for Westchester SC in USL1 in 2025. He played 66 minutes across Westchester’s first four league games this season and was inactive for Westchester’s most recent match.

Armour, a former MLS player trying to work his way back from serious injuries, was on a month-to-month contract, said Portland coach Bobby Murphy.

“We just made a decision that this wasn’t going to be a really viable long-term solution for him and wanted to make the move sooner than later to give him a chance to latch onto another club,” Murphy said Friday after practice.

The 5-foot-7 Drack was a 2021 MLS draft pick by the LA Galaxy and made one appearance with the Galaxy. He played 28 matches with the Charleston Battery in 2024-25 before being transferred to Westchester in May 2025.

“He’s more what we’re looking for out there (at left back). He’ll be a good fit,” Murphy said. “I think Josh is a really good replacement for what we need.”

MISSING MASASHI

Portland’s players are still adjusting after attacking midfielder Masashi Wada’s season-ending ankle injury in the home opener. Wada had surgery on Sunday.

“It’s been difficult. That whole scene and just seeing him (injured) and knowing how we’re going to miss him, not having him here and in the locker room. It plays on people’s minds,” said captain Mikey Lopez.

Forward Titus Washington said Wada will be missed on the field because he commanded attention from defenses with his off-ball runs and goal-scoring savvy. He is also a favorite in the locker room.

“He’s the best,” Washington said.

Lopez said when he saw Wada earlier this week, he told Wada to focus on the small positive steps and to try to avoid dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. Lopez missed all of 2024 after Achilles tendon surgery.

“Appreciating the small things and writing things down. … Just having small wins every single day. That’s the most important thing I learned,” Lopez said.

Murphy said he has a plan of how the team can adapt without Wada on the field, not that he was revealing it ahead of Sunday’s game.

Having a healthy Washington at striker figures to be a big part of any plan. The third-leading scorer on the team in 2025 (eight goals, five assists), Washington injured his hamstring early in the season opener. After missing most of the next three games, he played the full 90 minutes against Knoxville.

ULTIMATE PRACTICE

At practice Friday, plastic flying discs (Frisbees to most of us) replaced soccer balls for a game of Ultimate.

Murphy said he was looking for a physical-enough diversion after three hard days of training.

If the Hearts break out of their four-game scoreless stretch, expect more non-soccer practice sessions. The team is in the process of obtaining a basketball hoop and a backyard cricket set, Murphy said. No word on admission price for a Hearts of Pine intrasquad cricket test.

SCOUTING FC NAPLES

Portland and FC Naples are both second-year USL1 franchises. Naples finished fourth in 2025, three spots and two points ahead of Portland. Both teams reached the semifinals. Portland had a 2-0-1 edge in three regular-season matches.

Naples is coming off a 1-0 U.S. Open Cup loss to MLS squad Orlando City FC on Wednesday. Naples beat two amateur teams to advance to the round of 32.

In its six league games, Naples has scored eight goals and allowed three. Wing midfielder Christopher Garcia leads Naples with three goals and three assists. … Hearts center back Brecc Evans, an all-USL1 second-team pick with Naples in 2025, is expected to be a full-go healthwise on Sunday. Evans has not played since the season opener.