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PORTLAND — One week after what seemed like a momentum-building win against an upper division club, the Portland Hearts of Pine had to scramble to get a 1-1 tie Saturday night against Greenville Triumph SC, one of the worst performing clubs in USL League One.

Saddled with injuries, Portland sent out the latest in what has been an ever-changing lineup in front of 6,292 fans at Fitzpatrick Stadium.

“It’s just been so hard for us to find our rhythm. Throughout the 11, 12 games, the lineup is always chopping and changing. We’ve had so many injuries,” said midfielder Michel Poon-Angeron, who along with center back Kemali Green are the only Hearts to play in all 12 matches this season.

Portland is now 2-2-5 in USL1. Greenville is 2-4-1.

The Triumph had lost their last four matches by shutout and were on a scoreless drought of 461 minutes (plus stoppage time) when Rodrigo Robles got behind several defenders who appeared to be looking for an offsides call that didn’t come in the 70th minute. He ran on to an entry from Louis Herrera and chipped it past keeper Hunter Morse.

“He was onsides. Our players have to do a better job,” said coach Bobby Murphy, noting the goal came after Portland had cleared a set piece out of the box but were not prepared for the ball to be sent back into a dangerous area. “It’s a terrible goal to give away.”

Six Portland players pegged as key performers in the preseason were out with injuries — strikers Titus Washington and Emiliano Terzaghi, fullback Jaden Jones-Riley, midfielders Mikey Lopez and Matteo Kidd, and attacking midfielder Masashi Wada, who suffered a season-ending leg injury in the home opener.

Washington and Jones-Riley had just gotten back into starting action, both performing well in a 3-1 win on May 16 against Rhode Island FC in a USL Cup match.

Murphy said both Washington and Lopez are going to be out for the “long term.” Jones-Riley might be back for a home match May 30 against Spokane Velocity, the club that beat Portland in a penalty kick shootout in the 2025 playoff semifinals.

“Every time we think we’re making progress, we’re taking two steps back in the injury department,” Murphy said.

The injuries helped produce one feel-good story.

Forward Tyler Huck accomplished a unique one-day double. Earlier Saturday, he graduated from Bowdoin College with a degree in computer science. A few hours later, the 2025 NESCAC Men’s Soccer Player of the Year made his third professional start and fifth appearance for Hearts of Pine, with eight family members and a bunch of his Bowdoin teammates and friends in attendance.

“The injuries forced our hand for sure,” Murphy said, “but we didn’t hesitate to play (Huck).”

Huck, 21, had two strong scoring bids, drew two fouls that created excellent direct-kick chances, and was serenaded by the Dirigo Union fans with a song.

“That was pretty special. I never thought I’d hear someone singing my name in a song in a professional soccer game,” Huck said.

Huck’s first shot in the seventh minute was blocked by Greenville keeper Amal Knight. He sent another wide right in the 30th minute that he wished he’d had back.

“The second one, if I’m a little more composed, take a touch, that’s a chance I should be burying, and that’s frustrating,” Huck said. “But proud of the guys rallying from a goal down and getting a goal. Obviously, we would have hoped for more in that game.”

Also in the first half, Josh Drack had a direct kick go off the cross bar, and Ollie Wright’s chance on a similar set piece also was just a tad high.

After Greenville took the lead, Portland tied it on a penalty kick by Wright in the 78th minute. The kick was awarded when Greenville’s Anthony Patti, a field player, used his hand to swat away what would have been a goal by Green. Patti’s play drew a red card in addition to the penalty kick.

Portland was not able to get a significant chance with the man advantage, even with six minutes of added time.

“When you just sort of build a shell around the outside of their shell, it’s kind of hard to score goals,” Murphy said.

NOTES: Wright played in his 50th match for the Hearts. He is the first Portland player to reach that mark. … Azaad Liadi was the first former Hearts player to return to Fitzy as an opponent. Liadi, a forward, played the entire match. … Zion Scarlett, who had started the season as a left back, entered the game late as Portland’s striker, replacing Huck. Murphy said Scarlett’s “natural spot” is as a forward and that’s where he will likely play going forward.