September Newsletter

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Ahh September in Maine… arguably my favorite month of the year in this great state. Temperatures start to cool, and the smell of soccer season is in the air.

If you’re new around here, welcome to the Hearts fam. I’m Gabe, Founder and Chief Community Officer at Hearts of Pine.

This time of year always carries a bit of nostalgia. Fall in Maine is magic. Memories of growing up playing youth soccer and finding new corners of Maine to explore. September feels like the perfect time to get outside, wander a little, and take in what’s right here in our backyard while the seasons change.

There’s plenty ahead this month: the playoff push, big moments in our Community Impact Programming, a watch party, and more. 

So, let’s get into it!

SOCCER FOR GOOD

At Hearts, our purpose has always been simple: to use the power of this game and the platform that comes with it, to do as much good as we can in the city and state we call home.

This club isn’t just a team. It’s a community mirror—a reflection of the people and the values that shape Maine. And with that comes responsibility, ensuring that opportunity and possibility reach every corner of our state.

Soccer is our tool, but connection is our mission. On the pitch, kids learn more than how to be a great player, they discover resilience, teamwork, and confidence. These lessons ripple outward off the pitch, shaping futures, opening doors, and building bridges between communities that might otherwise never meet.

That’s why we’re so excited to share more about our Youth Impact Programming.

Programs like the Portland Soccer Project show young people that loving the game can also mean learning about themselves and the world around them. Play It Forward ensures that every child has the gear they need, removing barriers so that participation isn’t limited by circumstance. And by investing in new places to play, we’re not just creating fields—we’re creating possibilities for the next generation to grow, dream, and thrive.

These initiatives are at the heart of who we are. And they represent how we remain unapologetically true to the belief that soccer can change lives.

And this is just the beginning. 

If you missed the announcement video, you can watch it below, or if you’d like to get involved, volunteer, or donate, follow the link here.

PLAY IT FORWARD
As kids all across Maine return to the pitch this fall, some are lacing up brand-new cleats while others are starting the season without the gear they need. We’re working to bridge that gap, taking unused equipment out of closets and garages and putting it back in the hands of players who will put it to work.

Together with our friends at Allagash, the Play It Forward initiative makes that possible. By donating soccer balls, cleats, shin guards, and other essential gear, you help ensure every kid has the chance to play.

All donations are distributed through Maine Needs to athletes across the state. Drop off your Play It Forward items at any of these locations:

Hearts Team Store
65 Hanover St, Portland, ME 04101

Allagash Brewing
50 Industrial Way Portland, ME 04103
10 Market Street, Scarborough, ME 04074

Portland Sports Complex
512 Warren Ave, Portland, ME 04103

Soccer Post
200 Lower Main St, Ste 304, Freeport, ME 04032

XL Sports World
400 North St, Saco, ME 04072

Gorham Sports Center
215 Narragansett St, Gorham, ME 04038

Hot off the presses! The Boston Globe ran a feature on Hearts of Pine, digging into how the club got started, our early days, and where we’re headed next.

We’re unbelievably grateful for the recognition, but we know that none of this happens in isolation. So much of the credit belongs to the community—the players, families, volunteers, and supporters who help make this club what it is. You’re the reason Hearts exist, and you’re playing a massive role in shaping its future. 

Curious about how it all got started? Check out the full article.

When I think about what sticks with me after a match, it’s never just the score. It’s the conversations, the encounters, and the small stories that capture the spirit of this club. Here’s a round-up of what’s been floating around lately.

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“The energy at Fitzy and the enthusiasm of the fans is unlike any other game I’ve ever attended in the states. It’s starting to feel like a small-scale Premier League match, with a heavy dose of Maine magic.”

“Ollie Wright high fived a young girl with a stuffed animal on his way to the field, then turned around, grabbed her hand, and brought her out with him. Lovely gesture. These players are doing a great job of impressing the community through gestures like this. Nice job.”

“I’m from Spain and football is such a part of our lives…going to the Bernabéu stadium or to see the local team at my mother’s hometown with my uncles and have a beer with them while watching the game is one of the things I miss the most. Thanks for bringing this team here!”

“Dana [the Capo] is amazing – leading her team, working through the heat, always smiling and friendly!”

HEALTH CARE MADE EASY WITH TRELLIS

The guys all have access to Trellis Health and honestly, they can’t stop raving about it. When you’re on the road nonstop, working long hours, and just trying to keep life together, health care usually feels like the last thing you can actually deal with.

What makes Trellis different is the way it cuts through all that. You get to talk with a real doctor who actually listens to you—no long waits, no runaround. It feels like full-picture, personalized care. Total game-changer. 

If you’re curious, check them out!

FALL IN MAINE

Fall in Maine just feels right—quiet mornings, the smell of soccer in the air, apple picking, the first signs of foliage, school is back in session, and that cool autumn breeze practically begging for a flannel—who doesn’t love layers?! This season brings so many wicked fun things to do, with lakes, forests, and mountains feeling especially alive. Explore quiet hikes through pine forests, mist rising off the lakes, and the first golden light spilling across the mountaintops.

And I’ve got a few favorites of my own. I always plan a fall weekend getaway up the coast… wandering through the woods and coastal trails of Acadia with my dog, Annie, or hopping on a bike along the Moosehead Lake Rail Trail in Belfast with fiery foliage lighting the way. I’m always drawn to Long Lake—tucked between the woods and mountains—where nature reminds me just how beautiful Maine can be.

Fall carries a special kind of nostalgia, and nothing captures it better than apple picking and a warm cider donut that might be the best thing you eat all season. For me, that feeling has always been tied to Thompson’s Orchard in New Gloucester, a place I’ve been visiting since I was a kid.

So get out there—fall’s too short to waste. Whether it’s cider donuts, leaf-peeping drives, or a pickup game under the lights, Maine’s got plenty waiting for you.

PIZZA WITH DECADES OF TRADITION

Leonardo’s has been serving Portland for decades, perfecting their craft one pie at a time. And the team favorite? The BBQ Chicken—smoky, tangy, and exactly what you want after burning a ton of energy on the field.

If you haven’t stopped by their Forest Ave spot (or ordered online), now’s the time. Take out and grab a whole pie for the crew—this is Portland comfort food done right.

BISSELL BROTHERS WATCH PARTY

Our next watch party is at Bissell Brothers on Wednesday, September 17 at 5:30 PM as we take on the Richmond Kickers! Kickoff is at 6:30 PM and there will be giveaways, prizes, and more — it’s going to be a night you won’t want to miss!

This team, this community, our people—they’re always on my mind. And as fall settles in and routines return, it’s a good reminder that selflessness often requires moments of selfishness. To truly show up for each other, we have to make space to show up for ourselves. You can’t water someone else’s garden if your own soil is dry.

For me, that’s my nightly routine. Annie and I always head out for a long walk in the woods in the early evening. Then I’ll come home, stretch a bit, and from the hours of 7 PM to 9 PM I shut it all down and put on the Red Sox (didn’t see that one coming, huh!?) while making dinner and do my absolute best to keep phone usage to a minimum. Nothing fancy, just a couple hours to reset and be present. It’s what keeps my batteries charged so I can show up and do it all over again the next day.

We all need that space to rest, even if it shows up in unexpected ways. So as we head back into the post summer busy season… consider this a reminder of permission to show up and prioritize yourself.

Until October…

Yours in building community though the beautiful game,

Gabe

Founder & Chief Community Officer