New England Soccer Today

Portland Soaked in Rainy 3-2 USOC loss

It was a puddle that the Portland Phoenix simply could not paddle out of.

After sinking into a 3-0 hole, the Phoenix scored twice in the final 10 minutes but ultimately fell short 3-2 to the Brooklyn Italians (PSL) in a rain-soaked U.S. Open Cup qualifier at Deering High School in Portland, Maine.

Nathaniel Simons (5′) and Christian Turizo (7′) scored early, while Jumol Harewood (78′) made it a three-goal advantage going into the 80th minute. Blaike Woodruff scored two goals (80′, 90+1′) late to close the gap, but the Italians advanced to the next round of the U.S. Open Cup when it was all said and done.

With the win, Brooklyn sets its sights on the Rochester Rhinos (USL PRO) for a May 22 showdown at Sahlen’s Stadium in Rochester while Portland was eliminated from this year’s competition. The Phoenix are believed to be the first club from Maine to participate in the 98-year-old tournament.

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