CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Ollie Wright scored in the 55th minute and Hunter Morse recorded nine saves as No. 7 seed Portland Hearts of Pine knocked off No. 2 seed Chattanooga Red Wolves SC 1-0 at CHI Memorial Stadium in the Quarterfinals of the 2025 USL League One Playoffs presented by Terminix. 

After a patient first half from both sides, Wright took it upon himself to create a spark and give the Hearts the lead. The Englishman dashed into the middle of the pitch, laid off a give-and-go with Jake Keegan, and curled the return pass into the bottom corner past Ricardo Jerez. 

Chattanooga pressed for the equalizer as the second half pushed on, controlling the possession and pinning Portland into its defensive end as the match moved toward the final whistle. The Red Wolves had 11 shot attempts in the second half, including six on target, none closer than Matthew Bentley’s header in the 96th minute that was pushed aside by Morse. 

Takeaways 

Chattanooga Red Wolves SC: Despite finishing the regular season two points away from the Players’ Shield, Chattanooga’s season ends abruptly as its offense could not get past Morse, despite having more shots on target than in any other League One match this season. 

Portland Hearts of Pine: The Hearts become the second League One expansion club to win a playoff game in its opening season thanks to a gutsy road win they pulled off without key midfielder and joint regular season scoring leader Masashi Wada.  

Key moment 

Hunter Morse denied a dangerous near post header from Matthew Bentley six minutes into added time, stopping Chattanooga’s clearest scoring opportunity. 

Key stat 

Ollie Wright’s 55th minute strike was the difference tonight and his fourth game-winning goal of 2025 for the Hearts. 

USLLeagueOne.com Player of the Match 

Hunter Morse, Portland Hearts of Pine – The goalkeeper was in tune all night and stifled the Red Wolves offense even as they dominated possession in the second half, including making crucial saves in added time. 

Scoring Summary 

POR – Ollie Wright (Jake Keegan) 55’