Hearts of Pine
Mainers Embrace Soccer(and Really Love Those Fabulous Jerseys)
words by connor clement
photography courtesy of hearts of pine
The Portland Hearts of Pine have taken the city, and the state, by storm.
In just a few months, the new professional soccer club has tapped into something Mainers already knew about themselves: They care deeply about their community, and sports are a big part of that.
The Hearts of Pine are now the fourth pro team in Portland, joining the Sea Dogs (Double-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox), the Maine Celtics (G League affiliate of the Boston Celtics), and the Maine Mariners (ECHL affiliate of the Boston Bruins). The Hearts’ addition to an already stacked lineup makes the sports scene in Portland even more impressive. Last year, the Sports Business Journal named Portland the No. 1 minor league sports market in the country.
What started as an ambitious idea a few years ago has turned into one of the most successful launches in USL League One history. Every event the club held before kicking off its inaugural season was nearly sold out, from the announcement party of the team’s name to the jersey reveal. The buzz has been building ever since. Season tickets for 2025 were nearly gone by last fall and are now officially sold out, and there’s a waitlist for future seasons.
A young fan collects autographs on his new kit.
“You work so hard to bring something to life, and to have that moment was special.”
The team made an investment in the city and its future, spending more than $2 million upgrading the city-owned Fitzpatrick Stadium. New turf, upgraded lighting, locker rooms and a revamped press box are just a few of the enhancements. The club didn’t get a chance to show off those upgrades at their home stadium until their opener on May 4, and the atmosphere was electric. Despite rain and cool temperatures, the club drew a crowd of 5,784.
That was the moment club founder Gabe Hoffman-Johnson realized what he had been working toward since 2019 had finally arrived, a scene he could only dream about when he first assembled a group of investors to bring pro soccer to Maine.
“You work so hard to bring something to life, and to have that moment was special,” Hoffman-Johnson said on the team’s home opener.
A Portland native with a deep love for the game, Hoffman-Johnson played collegiately at Dartmouth and even went pro, so it’s safe to say the game runs in his blood. He has played a huge role in ensuring the club represents Mainers on and off the field.
Thanks to his leadership, the team has aligned with some impressive partners that reflect what Maine is all about, including the Maine Office of Tourism, L.L.Bean and the Dempsey Center, which appear on the club’s jerseys. Those jerseys are everywhere. The “kits” as they’re referred to in soccer, are emblazoned with a crest featuring a Maine pine, flowing water and the "Dirigo Heart," a reimagined Dirigo star, that pays tribute to the city’s legendary Valentine’s Day Bandit.
Colorful smoke bombs celebrate when the Hearts score.
“To have a club that can represent those pieces for Mainers is super special,” Hoffman-Johnson said.
The club’s partnerships extend beyond the field. They’ve collaborated with leaders in Maine’s craft beer and seltzer industry, creating Hearts-themed offerings with local favorites like Allagash Brewing Co., Bissell Brothers and even a custom seltzer flavor at Après.
While the roster includes players from around the world, the club signed a Maine native this season, midfielder Khalid Hersi who is from Lewiston. Hersi made the team at its first-ever tryouts last December. After playing for the University of Southern Maine and at the semi-pro level, he became the first Mainer to sign with the Hearts.
Head coach Bobby Murphy also has ties to Maine, making his hiring something of a full-circle moment. Murphy, who has more than 25 years of coaching experience, most recently coached St. Louis CITY2 of the MLS NEXT Pro league. The Texas native began his head coaching career at the University of Southern Maine in 1999.
“I never thought I’d come back, it was never on my radar, but it’s been great. I think Portland’s one of the best places in New England to live,” Murphy said.
After years coaching in top leagues across the country, this role in Maine holds extra meaning.
“To get the opportunity to build something from scratch that means so much to the community is really a big honor, and it’s a humbling task,” he said. “It’s been a lot of work, but it’s been great. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”
Murphy fit the bill for what the club sought in its first head coach.
“Bobby’s passion for developing and mentoring players, paired with his strong desire to win and exceptional leadership style, make him the perfect head coach to build our team from the ground up,” said Hoffman-Johnson.
Murphy was candid after the club won its first home game on May 17 against FC Naples. He admitted he was frustrated by how the game ended, saying he felt the team should have killed it off better as they held on for a closely contested 2-1 victory. But a friend who watched the match on TV reminded him of the bigger picture.
All inaugural season tickets sold out quickly and there is a waiting list for future seasons.
“When you go back and look at it again through that lens, you see people smiling, being happy, fully engaged, and rooting for this group, and people thanking me and the players after the game, it’s a pretty special thing,” Murphy said.
Murphy said his players have embraced the community that has shown up to support them since day one. “They are exceedingly proud to represent this community. They feel connected to this community,” he said.
One of those players who feels blessed to be playing in front of Mainers is midfielder Mikey Lopez, who is also from Texas. Lopez is a former first-round MLS draft pick, with tons of professional soccer experience. When describing his time in Maine so far, he said it’s all been positive for him and his family in Portland.
“The people have been unreal. They’re super nice and super friendly, we’ve enjoyed every single day of living up here in Portland,” he said.
As far as his experience on the field, Lopez has played in some of the country’s biggest stadiums, but said playing at Fitzpatrick has been unique.
Patrick Dempsey is a big fan of his home state’s newest team.
“It’s been one of a kind. Honestly, it’s been amazing. The energy and electricity the fans bring is unreal. Not many places have that,” Lopez said. “It’s one of the most special places I’ve played as a professional.”
It’s safe to say there’s never been a movement over a sports team in the state quite like what we’re seeing with the Hearts of Pine.
“We want to be the best lower-division soccer club in America,” Hoffman-Johnson said. “We’re here to set a new benchmark on what lower-division professional soccer can be in America, and on top of that we’re here to help build towards a better Maine, to provide something that can contribute in ways off the field as well.”
If you are one of the few who has yet to fall in love with the Hearts, get in line for a limited number of single-game tickets that are released or get on the waiting list for 2026 season tickets. Most games can also be watched on NESN or ESPN+.
The Hearts of Pine isn’t just about playing soccer; They’re building something Portland, and all of Maine, can rally behind with their full hearts.