Hearts of Pine Set to Host Rhode Island FC in Open Cup Third Round
April 3, 2025 - United Soccer League One (USL1)
Portland Hearts of Pine News Release
PORTLAND, ME - Portland Hearts of Pine will host USL Championship side Rhode Island FC in the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, U.S. Soccer announced today.
The match will be played at Lewiston High School, and will kick off at 7:00 p.m. on April 15. CBS Sports will provide coverage, with the match streaming live on Paramount+ and CBS Sports Golazo Network.
Hearts' first match as a professional side came in the Open Cup's first round on March 20, when Portland defeated C.D. Faialense 4-0. Walter Varela scored the first goal in club history-on his 28th birthday, no less-before winger Azaad Liadi added two and left back Nathan Messer scored one.
Portland's second-round match, against USL Championship team Hartford Athletic on April 2, saw 10-man Hearts come from behind to tie things up at 1-1 through a perfectly weighted Jake Keegan chip shot with three minutes left in extra time; Portland then won the penalty shootout 4-2.
Rhode Island FC, an expansion team in 2024, advanced all the way to the USL Championship final last year before losing 3-0 to the Colorado Springs Switchbacks in the title match. By qualifying for the playoffs they earned a bye through to the third round of this year's Open Cup. Rhode Island is winless through three matches in the Championship in 2025, but in J.J. Williams, Albert Dikwa, and Noah Fuson they boast a trio of forwards capable of scoring at any time.
United Soccer League One Stories from April 3, 2025
- Hearts of Pine Set to Host Rhode Island FC in Open Cup Third Round - Portland Hearts of Pine
- Jacks to Host North Carolina FC in US Open Third Round - Charlotte Independence
- Charlotte Independence Sign Colombian Forward Juan David Moreno - Charlotte Independence
- Chattanooga Red Wolves Set for Electrifying Home Opener at CHI Memorial Stadium - Chattanooga Red Wolves SC
- Red Wolves Triumph in Historic Chattanooga Derby, Advance in U.S. Open Cup - Chattanooga Red Wolves SC
- Tormenta FC Draws Charleston Battery in Open Cup Third Round on April 15-16 - South Georgia Tormenta FC
- Jacks Agree to Deal with 18-Year-Old Defender Javen Romero - Charlotte Independence
- Triumph Unveils Unity Park-Inspired Secondary Kit - Greenville Triumph SC
- Velocity Bounced from U.S. Open Cup - Spokane Velocity FC
- Ten-Man Hearts of Pine Stun Hartford Athletic 4-2 on Penalties, Advance in Open Cup - Portland Hearts of Pine
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Portland Hearts of Pine Stories
- Mohamed to Remain with Hearts Through Remainder of 2025 Season
- Ollie Wright Hat Trick Powers Hearts to Incredible Come-From-Behind Win over Omaha
- A Night of Storytelling and Soccer: Hearts of Pine Premieres How We Get There at Lincoln Theater
- Bobby Murphy Named USL League One Coach of the Month for May
- Hearts Fall to Chattanooga on the Road
