Murphy Joins Portland From St. Louis CITY2, the MLS Next Pro Reserve Team for St. Louis City SC
PORTLAND, Maine – November 14, 2024 – Portland Hearts of Pine have named Bobby Murphy as the first head coach in club history. Murphy – who will also serve as Hearts’ sporting director – has an extensive background in coaching and player development. He will lead Hearts in their inaugural season in USL League One.
As head coach and sporting director, Murphy will be responsible for evaluating local and national talent, building the first roster, and creating a club that embodies the community-first culture of Hearts on and off the field.
For Murphy, the opportunity to lead Hearts of Pine is an exciting new challenge. “I am honored to be Hearts of Pine’s first head coach. My mission is to build an expansion club and culture that values winning equally on and off the field,” said Bobby Murphy. “We have an incredible opportunity to not only build a competitive team right here in Portland, but also create something meaningful that reflects the diverse communities of Maine.”
Bobby Murphy joins Hearts of Pine after guiding St. Louis CITY2, the MLS NEXT Pro team for St. Louis City SC, to the semifinals during the 2024 season. He led CITY2 to the second-best record out of 29 teams in MLS NEXT Pro. Throughout his career, Murphy has experience coaching all levels of talent, from all over the world, with roles ranging from a youth academy director to interim head coach of Orlando City in MLS, where he coached the 2007 Ballon d’Or winner Kaká.
Murphy played and coached in New England early on in his career. He received his bachelor’s degree from Southern New Hampshire University and was a member of the men’s soccer team. He also has a master’s degree in education from Plymouth State University and was an assistant coach of the men’s soccer team. Murphy has briefly lived in Maine before, as the men’s soccer coach at University of Southern Maine in Gorham. He has fond memories of bringing his children to the beautiful beaches of Maine and the Children’s Museum.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Bobby Murphy to the club,” said Gabe Hoffman-Johnson, founder of Portland Hearts of Pine. “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. We are building something special here in Maine, and Bobby will help us create a team that not only competes at a high level but also embodies leading with your heart.”
Kevin Schohl, president of Hearts of Pine, said “From day one, Portland Hearts of Pine has set out to be the best club in the League. From our record-breaking success with tickets and merchandise sales, to the incredible momentum we are building in the community, we know that Maine is ready for professional soccer, and Bobby is the right coach to lead us.”
In preparation for the upcoming season, Hearts of Pine will host a Mainer Day of tryouts for local players to showcase their talent on December 7th, and open tryouts for all eligible players will take place the following weekend, December 13-15. For more national tryout information, please visit here to learn more.
The team will begin full practices in January, ahead of their debut in the 2025 USL League One season. As Hearts of Pine prepares for its debut at Fitzpatrick Stadium, the club remains committed to creating a lasting legacy in Maine’s soccer community.
The next major milestone for Hearts of Pine is November 21, when the club will unveil its inaugural season jersey with a reveal party at the State Theatre in Portland, Maine. Attendees will enjoy an unforgettable celebration of soccer in Maine and be among the first to see, touch, and wear the jersey. Follow the team’s website and social media to learn more.
More About Coach Murphy
- Bobby Murphy joins Hearts of Pine after guiding St. Louis CITY2 to the semifinals of the MLS NEXT Pro playoffs during the 2024 season. His leadership with CITY2 earned widespread recognition for developing a competitive, cohesive team that made a deep playoff run in the 2024 season.
- Murphy spent several years with Orlando City SC in MLS, where he served as assistant coach and two-time interim head coach. While there, he coached the 2007 Ballon d’Or and 2002 FIFA World Cup winner Kaká, and his leadership of Orlando’s academy further established him as a key figure in shaping the next generation of American soccer talent.
- Murphy also was an assistant coach for Union Omaha in USL League One, helping lead the team to the title in 2021.
- Murphy served as an assistant for former USL Championship club, Rio Grande Valley FC, a hybrid affiliate of the Houston Dynamo of the MLS.
- For thirteen years, Murphy also served as the academy director at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School in Texas – one of only four residential soccer academies in the country.
- Murphy received his bachelor’s degree from Southern New Hampshire University and was a member of the men’s soccer team. He has a master’s degree in education from Plymouth State University and was an assistant coach of the men’s soccer team. He has played at Fitzpatrick Stadium, the home field for Hearts of Pine, during his time as a player for the USL New Hampshire Phantoms.
- Murphy has briefly lived in Maine before, as the men’s soccer coach at University of Southern Maine in Gorham. He has fond memories of bringing his children to the beautiful beaches of Maine and the Children’s Museum.
About Portland Hearts of Pine
Portland Hearts of Pine is a professional soccer club that reflects the character of Maine and drives economic, community, and cultural value. The club strives to be a reflection of the diverse communities and cultures of Maine, from the Highlands to Downeast, Casco Bay to Acadia, Aroostook to the Forest City. Portland Hearts of Pine will kick off in USL League One at the historic Fitzpatrick Stadium in March 2025. To learn more about Portland Hearts of Pine, visit the club’s website and follow the club on Instagram, X (Twitter) and Facebook.
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