Dear Hearts Community,
It’s hard to believe we’re already looking back on two seasons of professional soccer in Maine. Our final match at Fitzpatrick Stadium was an extraordinary way to close out the year. The atmosphere, the energy, the joy of experiencing it all together. It was a reminder of what this community is capable of and what we want every home match to feel like.
That energy is something we’re carrying into the offseason, along with a clear ambition for what comes next. Ray, Bobby, and our entire sporting staff are hard at work evaluating how we can strengthen this roster and build a team capable of competing for championships. As we look toward next season, I want to recognize and thank every player who has helped build this club over our first two years. Whether they’ll be returning or moving on to their next chapter, each has played a part in creating something special here in Maine, and we’re grateful for what they’ve contributed.
But before we think about taking the pitch again, there’s a ton happening for the club over the next couple of months.
Next Thursday, November 19th, we’re taking over the State Theatre from 6-8pm to unveil our next kit: Woods & Water, a Celebration of Maine. Two years ago, we stood on that same stage introducing our colors to a community that was just beginning to imagine what this club could become. It was a night I’ll never forget. Now, we return with two seasons of memories and the evolution of these colors that have become part of our identity.
We’ll be joined by Maine’s very own Oshima Brothers and Griffin William Sherry, along with some other special surprises. We’ll also share a deeply moving film about an extraordinary family whose story connects the world’s game, our club, and USM’s remarkable Promise Scholarship program. I don’t want to give too much away, but it’s a story I can’t wait to share.
I hope to see you there – RSVP for the event here.
We’re also heading to Bangor on Friday, November 13th to celebrate the opening of our holiday pop-up shop at 22 State Street, bringing Hearts of Pine and Maine Wildness to supporters in another part of the state. We’ll kick things off with an opening-night happy hour complete with a limited-edition Paul Bunyan T-shirt created especially for Bangor, alongside plenty of other Hearts and Wildness merchandise for the holiday season. We’ve always said we’re the Soccer Club of Maine, and this is another opportunity to spend time with supporters, make new connections, and continue building a club that belongs to the entire state.
RSVP to our Bangor opening-night happy hour here.
As we look back on another remarkable year, I’ve also been reflecting on everything that’s happened beyond the pitch. We’ve always believed that Hearts of Pine could be so much more than a soccer club, and these first two seasons have shown us what’s possible when a community gets behind that idea. From the kids at East End and Talbot finding their feet through our free after school impact programs to the local organizations and businesses we’ve had the opportunity to support, some of the things I’m most proud of have nothing to do with the scoreboard. For me, that’s always been our “why”. How can we use soccer for good in the city and state we call home.
One of the things that’s meant the most to me is seeing how people have taken that spirit and run with it. We have local businesses finding ways to support their neighbors, supporters stepping up for causes they care about, and community organizations building relationships that might never have happened otherwise. We’ve put together a look at our community impact over the past year, and I hope you’ll take a few minutes to read it. It’s a chance to celebrate the people and partnerships that have helped make this club what it is, and appreciate the true power of this game to bring our community together.
Read our 2026 Community Impact Report
As we look ahead, I’m incredibly grateful for what we’ve built together and excited about where we’re going. Two years ago, we were asking people to believe in an idea. Today, we have something real to build upon, and I know that the best is still ahead of us.
See you at the State Theatre, in Bangor, or somewhere along the way.
Up the Hearts,
Gabe Hoffman-Johnson
