Hearts Club News

I was out walking my dog Annie (short for Anfield, of course) after the Charlotte game earlier this month. It was the morning after a heartbreaking match, and despite my lack of sleep, Annie knew a walk would do us both good. Out on Willard Beach, we felt the first hints of the cool, crisp air that defines Maine’s fall season.

That autumn air has a way of grounding me. It’s a sharp tinge that almost invites introspection, and memories of growing up here and kicking a ball on days like these. I reflected on what felt like the latest gut punch in a string of hard results. It wasn’t fun to lose the game that way. It hadn’t been fun to not get a result for nearly two months… but for all the hardship on the pitch, the way this city and state continues to show its support for the club never fails to amaze me.

Mainers are the first in the nation to see the light of a new day, we’re the first to get to work when something needs doing, and we’re the first ones to speak up when something isn’t the way it should be. Every club has a rough run of results, and for many, it comes with a sense of fair-weather fandom. We’ve seen the very opposite. We’ve seen a whole lot of love.

Throughout, we’ve kept our eyes clear. Our resilience has been tested, and as results start to turn around, the heart and grit we’ve all come to expect has been embodied on the pitch by every player in a Hearts kit. 

The boys of Maine went into that Westchester game with the same ambition they’ve been carrying since that first match in Lewiston: to be a winning club. The mandate has never been to accept what comes our way. It’s to strive to be our absolute best in every part of the organization. And our boys rose to the occasion. We found our footing. Despite the tying goal, it was our boys who took the late lead and all three points.

A week later, in front of another 6,000 roaring fans who’d outlasted the rain, the boys of Maine did it again. A hard fought clean sheet capped off with a match winner in the extra time. That is the way soccer should be.

Now, with six games to go, with everything to play for, and with a community like this behind the club, why not us? Why can’t this team, with a new sense of resolve, keep up this fight through the end of the year?

After all, my hope is that this pursuit of improvement becomes a part of the DNA of this club. 

Ray Saari joining the club as Sporting Director gives us a clear vision for improvement on the field. The women’s team is an extension of the dream in itself, and with Michelle Akers as a Founding Advisor, I know that someone of her caliber will set the standard for culture, leadership, and building the foundation of success from the beginning.

Outside our club, youth leagues, high schools, and college players around the state have geared up for the start of their soccer seasons, too – and I hope they see Hearts as a model of the resolve and clear-eyed ambition that helps carry them through the ups and downs of their seasons ahead. I hope this club provides something for them to aspire to be one day. Something I myself never had as a youth player in Maine.

I hope that our women’s team will inspire girls across Maine and beyond to get out on the pitch, to see themselves in this game, and know that there is a place for them in it at every level.

Beyond the wins, losses, and competition, I am constantly reminded of the gratitude I feel to be a part of the community movement. I feel it when I see kids in their Hearts kits, or the seemingly everpresent bumper stickers when I’m driving around town. The calls of “Up the Hearts” from strangers passing by when I wear my Lead With Your Heart hoodie.

These are the clearest reminders of all: this club is bigger than any one result. We’re building a community together that can last generations. Something that creates places for kids to play, for families to gather, for identities to strengthen and gives our communities a reason to be proud. Something that invites us all to lead with our hearts, to be the best versions of ourselves – through thick and thin. 

Along the way, projects like the Design FC at King Middle School and the Foundation’s Soccer Project will continue to be a priority. As Ryan Adams paints his mural in the heart of Portland’s downtown–a collective portrait that celebrates this community–I’ve been asked why we’re doing it in the first place.

How we intentionally use our platform and voice to ‘contribute’ has always been core to our reason for being. And as Maine continues to show up for this club, we’ll continue to show up for Maine. UTH.

Gabe Hoffman-Johnson

Players will wear special pre-match jerseys Sunday designed by students at King Middle School in Portland, with signed player jerseys auctioned to support the return of Design FC programming in Portland next year

PORTLAND, Maine — A 12-session creative journey that began in the art classroom at King Middle School will make its way onto the pitch ahead of Sunday’s match, with every jersey sold supporting the program for the school year ahead.

Hearts of Pine and hummel will celebrate the culmination of their first Design FC afterschool program, which took place at King Middle School in Portland over the past school year. The Design FC curriculum uses sport and design to help young people explore their own creativity, self-expression, and storytelling. Over the course of 12 weeks, students developed jersey concepts reflecting their own stories and values. 

At the end of the spring semester, the students participated in a workshop led by staff from Design FC, Hearts of Pine, and hummel to create a one-of-a-king pre-match jersey. Building on the design skills, ideas and storytelling they explored throughout the program, the student created a jersey inspired by the city and state they call home.

The jersey design itself features dozens of unique elements hand-drawn by students, scanned and arranged to create the final garment. Atop a base of pine trees and green textures is a soccer pitch and a series of hearts, a large portrait of a moose on the back, and sleeves that showcase Maine’s coastal landscapes featuring lighthouses and lupins. On the front where one would expect a partner logo is a hand-written “Up the Hearts”, and on the back is the club motto of “Lead with Your Heart”. 

The jersey will be worn by Hearts players during warm-ups ahead of Sunday’s match, bringing that shared creative process from the classroom at King Middle onto the field at Fitzpatrick Stadium.

“When we began conversations with Design FC, we knew we wanted to start this programming at King Middle School,” said Hearts of Pine Founder and Chief Community Officer Gabe Hoffman-Johnson when the program was announced. “This collaboration creates an environment where sport, creativity, and self-expression come together in a powerful way, and it felt like a perfect fit for the students at King who share the pitch with our players at Fitzpatrick.”

Now through 9pm ET on Monday, September 14 following the match, fans have the opportunity to bid on signed player-worn jerseys available through an online auction. The jerseys are also available for preorder online at shop.heartsofpine.com through September 20th, available in person now at the Hearts of Pine Club Shop, as well as at Sunday’s match at the Kids Zone merch tent. 

All proceeds from both jersey sales and the online auction will support the continuation of the Design FC programming in Portland next year, helping create the opportunity for another group of local students to participate. The match top will also be available for purchase at shop.heartsofpine.com for supporters who can’t attend in person or who prefer to secure one outside of the auction.

“The Hearts of Pine continues to be a fantastic partner for the Portland Public Schools and our students. This club was an opportunity to engage students, the jersey design is amazing, and I can’t wait to watch the students when they see their jersey being worn by a professional team. I look forward to wearing mine!” said Portland Public Schools Superintendent Ryan Scallon. 

Design FC is a nonprofit organization that combines sport and creativity through youth-focused programming around the world. Its partnership with Hearts and hummel marked the organization’s first program in Maine.

“At Design FC, we’re always looking for like-minded partners to support the growth of our programs,” said Oliver Steinglass, Design FC’s Executive Director. “Hearts are deeply committed to their community and place a high value on design and storytelling, making them an ideal partner for Design FC. We’ve really enjoyed working with the club so far and are excited to continue growing this partnership in Portland,” 

The program was made possible through hummel’s partnership, which provided apparel, materials and program funding.

Design FC’s work has put young designers alongside some of the biggest names in sport and culture, with collaborations involving adidas, New Balance, EA Sports, KITH, Bayern Munich, D.C. United, Bay FC and the Philadelphia 76ers, as well as athletes including Tim Weah, Georgia Stanway and Eberechi Eze. The organization’s programs now reach communities across the United States and United Kingdom.

For the students who participated in Design FC’s Portland program, that scale is part of what makes the experience so special. Their work joins a growing collection of youth-created designs connected to some of the most recognizable clubs, athletes and brands in the world, placing Portland’s young designers in that same creative community.

“Getting to see this prematch top come to life this weekend is a fantastic culmination to what has been a wonderful program experience with Hearts and Design FC.” said Chase Eagan of hummel North America. “Congratulations to our young designers on their hard work coming full circle, and we can’t wait to see it at the stadium.”

For Hearts, Sunday’s jersey is a chance to celebrate the students behind the work while helping ensure the program continues.

What began with sketches, ideas and conversations at King Middle School will now be worn by professional players in front of thousands of supporters at Fitzpatrick Stadium, connecting the classroom, the club and the wider Hearts community.

Auction details and a link to bid are available here:

https://designfc.betterworld.org/auctions/design-fc-hearts-pine-warm-up-top

Auction closes Monday at 9:00pm

Crossover celebrates the Maine band’s return and a song that has become part of Hearts matchday tradition

PORTLAND, Maine — Two unmistakably Maine traditions are coming together this week as Portland Hearts of Pine and The Ghost of Paul Revere unveil a limited-edition merchandise collaboration celebrating the band’s return to Ghostland.

The collection, featuring a sweatshirt, T-shirt and hat, arrives as The Ghost of Paul Revere reunites after a four-year hiatus and returns to the stage in Portland for its long-awaited Ghostland weekend. The limited-edition Hearts x Ghost collection will debut Saturday at Allagash Brewing Company, a Hearts partner that is also marking the band’s return with the release of Ghostland Lager.

For Hearts supporters, the connection between the club and Ghost runs deeper than a shared hometown.

Before kickoff at every Hearts home match, “Ballad of the 20th Maine” fills Fitzpatrick Stadium as supporters raise their scarves and sing along, including the now-familiar line about being “steadfast as Katahdin.” The song has become one of the signature moments of a Hearts matchday and a powerful expression of the club’s connection to Maine.

“It’s already an honor to have the Ballad of the 20th be represented at each match, and now we get to rep our club even more with our new merchandise collaboration, designed by our very own Griffin William Sherry,” said Sean McCarthy, bass and vocals for The Ghost of Paul Revere.

The collection was designed by Ghost of Paul Revere guitarist and vocalist Griffin William Sherry, adding another layer to a collaboration rooted in music, art, soccer and Maine identity.

“When I think of Maine, I think of honesty, community, and wherewithal. It’s something we tried to tap into with the music of The Ghost of Paul Revere, and something I’m proud to watch the Hearts pick up the ball and run with. It’s hard to describe that feeling I get hearing the Zoo scream along to our song every time the boys take the pitch. But it’s even wilder to know that that song has grown beyond us and has become something my fellow Mainers are proud of, just like the Hearts. I was happy to lend my hand, both musically and artistically, to their community and their story. Up the Hearts,” said Griffin William Sherry.

The Ghost of Paul Revere built a devoted following with its distinctive blend of folk, bluegrass and rock before stepping away four years ago. The band’s return to Ghostland marks a long-awaited reunion and a celebration of the music and community that have surrounded the group throughout its career.

The Hearts collaboration is part of a weekend filled with uniquely Maine connections surrounding the reunion.

On Saturday, Allagash Brewing Company will host a free Ghostland beer release and merchandise event. Attendees will get the first opportunity to purchase the Hearts x Ghost collection alongside Ghostland merchandise, including shirts, trucker hats and knit caps.

Members of The Ghost of Paul Revere will also be on hand to sign merchandise from 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Following Saturday’s event, the Hearts x Ghost collection will be available Sunday at Portland Hearts of Pine’s home match against Westchester and at Ghostland at Thompson’s Point.

After the weekend, remaining merchandise will be available at the Hearts of Pine Club Shop at 127 Marginal Way in Portland.

For a club whose matchday traditions have been built around Maine music, culture and community, the collaboration brings together two groups that have each found their own way to represent the state.

HEARTS x GHOST MERCHANDISE AVAILABILITY

Saturday: First availability at the free Ghostland event at Allagash Brewing Company
1:30-2:30 p.m. Band merchandise signing with members of The Ghost of Paul Revere
Sunday: Available at Hearts of Pine vs. Westchester and Ghostland at Thompson’s Point
Following Ghostland: Available at the Hearts of Pine Club Shop, 127 Marginal Way, Portland, while supplies last

Maine summers always seem to rush me by. We’re deep into August already and there’s that little hint of fall around the corner. It’s that last stretch of summer when families are sneaking upta camp before the kids go back to school, and friends who moved away are boomeranging back home to get their Maine summer fix. For us here at Hearts, this month also brought some of the biggest news in the history of this club: our plans to build our permanent home at Cassidy Point.

It’s remarkable to be at this point less than two years into playing competitively. A soccer-specific stadium on Portland’s peninsula. A place where we can gather year-round in support of both our men’s and women’s teams can call home, and where we can continue building a club that belongs to all of us. 

To even be writing about this is remarkable, and it brings me right back to the gratitude I feel at every major milestone for this club. Gratitude for the people who said yes to this club before it had a name. From the long-distance fans repping Maine at World Cup Stadiums to the local die-hards of the Dirigo Union; from the partners who’ve been so key in supporting this vision, to the staff, coaches, and players themselves; gratitude for every Mainer who’s made this team their team. 

Most of all, I’m grateful for the way we’ve all found connection, pride, and joy through this club.

That said, there’s a lot of work ahead of us. The stadium is still years away. There is a lot of community conservation and public planning between now and then. In the meantime, we still have a whole lot of soccer to play at Fort Fitzy.

I’d be doing us all a disservice if I only wrote about the good stuff. The results haven’t been going our way, and we’re heading into the business end of the season with twelve matches to play. We all know how much joy this game can bring, which is exactly why the tough stretches sting.

From day one, we set out to create a new standard for lower division soccer both on and off the pitch. That’s a lofty goal, which is exactly why we pursue it. In a season where things haven’t been going our way on the pitch, it can be incredibly hard and frustrating. Winning is important. We must have clear, unyielding eyes in both our reflection on this stretch and our preparedness for the matches ahead, but we also have to be measured in response when we come up short. 

This club is a project larger than a single result, and we have to continue to put the work in daily to improve, to be the best version of ourselves. We have to pick ourselves up, we have to stick together, and we have to go again. 

Off the field, there’s a lot for this community to be proud of. In its first year, The Hearts of Pine Foundation delivered more than 215 hours of programming, and this fall we’re bringing the Portland Soccer Project to schools in Biddeford and Wiscasset. We may play in Portland, but as the Soccer Club of Maine, we want kids in every corner of this state to have a little more access to this game and the community that comes with it.

Supporting that work, we’ve just launched our new Soccer for Good merch collection, with every dollar going directly to supporting the Foundation. Check it out here.

There’s so much on our horizon. A season to fight for. A new home to build. A women’s team launch just around the corner. A Foundation that’s just getting started. A whole lot more work to do to make this club everything we believe it can be. Every once in a while, it’s worth looking around and realizing just how far we’ve come.

Soak up these August evenings while they last, and enjoy every moment of these summer days. I’ll see you back at Fitzy soon enough.

Yours in building community through the beautiful game,

Gabe Hoffman-Johnson

Heartsapalooza

📅 Thursday, September 10th
🕤 5:00 p.m.
📍 Thompson’s Point

Heartsapalooza returns for its third annual celebration of soccer, music, and community, bringing Hearts of Pine supporters together for one of the club’s favorite traditions.

Look forward to an afternoon filled with live entertainment, local food and drink, interactive activities, player appearances, and plenty of opportunities to celebrate everything that makes the Hearts community special. Whether you’re a longtime supporter or experiencing Heartsapalooza for the first time, there’s something for everyone.

While an RSVP is not required to attend the event, please help us plan better by RSVP-ing for your estimated group of attendees.

Happy July, Hearts family!

Here it is. The time of year when we fall in love with this state all over again. Slow evenings with friends, backyard BBQs, walks with the dog to get ice cream, and quick dips in the lake. There’s no time like Maine summer, and dang if it isn’t a whole lot better when you add a little bit more soccer. The sun is out, we’re down to the quarter-finals of the World Cup, and the Boys of Maine are back to winning ways with two statement performances on the bounce.

Last time I wrote to you guys, we were just days away from opening up season ticket deposits for the future USL W team. I knew Maine would show up for women’s soccer, but I couldn’t have anticipated we would sell out all 5,000 deposits in an hour. This incredible community never ceases to amaze me, and it’s a reminder that here, soccer means something different. It’s not just something we watch. To some extent, it’s not even about the play. It’s a vessel for us to connect. To support each other. To show what it means to have your heart in Maine. To every person who secured a seat—you’re not just buying a ticket, you’re helping build the future of women’s soccer in Maine. Thank you.

All around the world, we’re seeing this same support taking root. World Cup fever has taken over. From Boston’s love story with the Scots to the Algerian fans calling Kansas their home, this summer has been a reminder of just how healing the game can be. It’s important to step back and realize that even though we get to see the power of this sport on full display each time we walk into Fitzy, its reach is so much greater. The bonds formed, the cultures exchanged, and the next generation inspired… the impact of the past month and the weeks to come will last far beyond just the summer of ‘26.

Through it all, the best of this game is shining through. Seeing thousands gather at the State Theatre and Monument Square, and countless Hearts kits represented in stadiums across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, has been equal parts humbling and inspiring. Maine soccer on the world’s stage. A dream turned into reality. We know what soccer for good looks like here in Portland, and it’s been amazing seeing it across the rest of our country.

And even though I’ve been keeping one eye on the World Cup, it’s been a joy to watch the Boys of Maine play some of their best soccer of the season recently. A 5-1 rout of Richmond, followed by a 3-2 comeback win on the road at Naples. These are the kinds of performances that can set this team alight for the rest of this season. Diego touched down in Portland and has been on fire ever since. Dylan’s just getting started with us, but you can see that he gets it. Thanks to you, they’re both learning what it means to wear these colors. 

At times, it’s felt like a season where the punches just keep coming. But that’s nothing new. We’ve said it time and time again: we want this team to reflect Maine’s hard-nosed, grind-it-out mentality. What better time to show it off? For the teams in the playoff picture, they’re looking over their shoulder, and you can bet they’re seeing the boys of Maine fixing bayonets.

With the men’s team gelling, the women’s team on the horizon, and the last rounds of the World Cup sure to deliver a whole lot more magic, Maine’s Soccer Summer is only just getting started. Catch ya at Fort Fitzy, at the Footy Fest, and wherever else this beautiful game brings us. 

Yours in building community through the beautiful game, 

Gabe Hoffman-Johnson

Hope to see you at these upcoming Hearts events:

Footy Fest

📅 Sunday, July 19
🕤 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
📍 Kennedy Park

Enjoy a fun-filled morning featuring local partners, food trucks, a live DJ, kids’ activities, Hearts player appearances, and multi-generational pickup soccer. Whether you’re kicking a ball around, cheering from the sidelines, or simply soaking in the atmosphere, Footy Fest is designed to be a welcoming celebration for soccer fans, families, and neighbors alike.

From noon to 1:30 p.m., Kennedy Park FC will host the knockout rounds of its summer tournament, including the semifinals and championship match. Come support local players, enjoy exciting competition, and experience the energy of grassroots soccer.

When the festivities wrap up, keep the celebration going by visiting Bayside’s local bars, breweries, and restaurants to watch the World Cup Final. Cap off a full day of soccer by cheering on the world’s biggest match while supporting local businesses.

Heartsapalooza

📅 Thursday, September 10th
🕤 5:00 p.m.
📍 Thompson’s Point

Heartsapalooza returns for its third annual celebration of soccer, music, and community, bringing Hearts of Pine supporters together for one of the club’s favorite traditions.

Look forward to an afternoon filled with live entertainment, local food and drink, interactive activities, player appearances, and plenty of opportunities to celebrate everything that makes the Hearts community special. Whether you’re a longtime supporter or experiencing Heartsapalooza for the first time, there’s something for everyone.

Be there as we share what’s next for Hearts of Pine and celebrate together with the community that continues to make this club unique.

Stay tuned for additional details.

Hearts of Pine is excited to launch its first-ever Hearts of Pine Soccer Camp this August, giving young players the chance to spend a week on the pitch with the club.

Designed for boys and girls ages 10–14, the camp will run Monday, August 10 through Friday, August 14, and will offer a fun, recreational soccer experience led by Hearts of Pine coaching staff. Campers will take part in engaging activities focused on creativity, teamwork, and a love for the game.

Monday through Thursday sessions will take place from 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM at Waynflete Athletic Complex, located at 100 Osgood Street in Portland. On Friday, campers will take part in a special Hearts of Pine First Team Training Experience from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM at Fitzpatrick Stadium, located at 156 Deering Avenue in Portland.

Included with registration are four days of on-field programming led by Hearts of Pine coaching staff, special appearances from Hearts of Pine players, access to a Hearts of Pine team training session, camp games and competitions, and an official Hearts of Pine Camp T-Shirt.

Registration is $230 per participant.

Click HERE for more information. The Hearts of Pine Soccer Camp is currently sold out and limited waitlist spots remain.