Community

Lead with your heart. It’s a motto inspired by Maine. It’s who Mainers are. We always find a way to show up for each other. We are compassionate neighbors building a culture of belonging regardless of background, finding ways to support one another when it matters most.

Our city, state, and soccer community are stronger because of their diversity, and the growth of the game in Maine is directly linked to its immigrant population. 

Now more than ever, we believe in community building, not breaking. Many Mainers need support, and many more are looking for ways to help. The way that so many Mainers are rallying around their neighbors in need is proof of how compassionate this community is. 

We will continue to cultivate spaces where all are welcome, and to use soccer as a force for good in the city and state we call home.

Please continue to look out for one another, and join us in supporting organizations doing meaningful work to provide direct support to families and individuals in need. Find a list of resources below:

Know your rights: 

• Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP) , “Know Your Rights” overview
• ACLU Maine
• Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition (MIRC)

If you are interested, here are some resources on where to volunteer and places to give:

• Maine Needs 
• MaineHealth Food Pantry Portland
• Foundation for Portland Public Schools
• Food For All Services, Food Pantry
• Presente! Maine
• Project Relief Maine
• Maine Solidarity Fund

Hearts of Pine is proud to announce the expansion of the Portland Soccer Project to Talbot Community School. Following a groundbreaking first year of programming at East End Community School, Talbot will become the second location to host the free after-school program that helps kids develop skills in conflict resolution, self-regulation, leadership, and teamwork, all through the game of soccer.

“This program doesn’t exist to develop great soccer players, it exists to support children in reaching their full potential as leaders and humans,” said Noah Riskind, Director of Hearts of Pine Impact Programming.

“Hearts of Pine was built on the belief in the power of soccer to create positive change for individuals, families and the world,” said Hearts of Pine’s founder and Chief Community Officer Gabe Hoffman-Johnson. “I believe in the potential of this club to contribute toward building a better Maine, and I see that potential as a responsibility. Soccer speaks to youth like nothing else, and Portland Soccer Project activates the power of this beautiful game to develop critical social and emotional skills for Portland students. It’s a foundational element of Hearts to give back, especially within the very community we call home, and I’m grateful for the partnership and support from Portland Public Schools and the City of Portland in helping us grow this initiative.”

Building on the success of its pilot program at East End Community School (EECS), the 2024/2025 school year saw the Portland Soccer Project host 46 two-hour sessions with 40 fourth- and fifth-grade students, totaling 2,210 contact hours. Programming extended beyond the field, with students participating in discussions around real-life challenges, attending matches, and engaging with visiting Hearts of Pine players. Educators reported overwhelmingly positive feedback, citing improvements in students’ classroom behavior, self-regulation, and leadership skills.

“I continue to be amazed and feel fortunate for Hearts of Pine’s commitment to supporting our community,” said Portland Public Schools Superintendent Ryan Scallon. “This fun after-school program uses soccer as a tool to help students develop important life skills, dovetailing with our Strategic Plan’s Whole Student goal of partnering with community organizations to nurture supportive, inclusive school communities that promote belonging and engagement. Thank you, Hearts of Pine, for all you’re doing for our students!”

Set to kickoff in February, the Portland Soccer Project will be hosted at Talbot Community School twice weekly for the remainder of the school year in addition to continued programming at East End Community School. Led by Riskind, the program will include support from three Talbot teachers serving as assistant coaches and is expected to serve up to 40 fourth- and fifth-grade students.

“Nothing beats the joy that soccer and sport facilitate,” Riskind added, highlighting the significance of expanding the program’s impact in kids’ lives. “Through our expansion to Talbot Community School, we are able to double our number of participants and thereby double our impact.”

“I have been a teacher in Portland Public Schools for six years,” said Talbot Community School second grade teacher Schyler Folsom, “And during that time, soccer has consistently been one of the most powerful ways my students and I connect, grow, and learn together. I am so excited to see how students grow in their friendships, confidence, leadership, and sense of community.”

Praising the program’s impact, Ryan French of Portland Parks, Recreation and Facilities said, “The Portland Soccer Project’s expansion to Talbot and the work already being done at the East End Community School are the programs I have been around and the spaces that are created there are incredible at bringing all parts of the community together.”

The Hearts of Pine Foundation continues to expand access to sport-based youth development programming, empowering young people to grow as players, leaders, and engaged members of their communities. With goals to grow the Portland Soccer project around the city and state, fans and community members are welcome to support the programming directly by donating to the Hearts of Pine Foundation.

To learn more and donate to the Hearts of Pine Foundation, the Portland Soccer Project, and all of Hearts’ Impact Programming, visit our website here.

Created to expand Hearts of Pine’s community-first impact programming, the non-profit Hearts of Pine Foundation is working across Maine using soccer as a force for good. The Foundation is proud to announce Sarah Stickney as the Foundation’s Executive Director, working alongside Director of Impact Programming Noah Riskind to lead and expand these efforts.

Sarah spent the past decade building Portland Community Squash, where she served as Director of Operations and Development. Her work has centered on building sustainable, community-driven programming, aligning closely with the Hearts of Pine Foundation’s commitment to access, equity, and long-term impact. In her role as Executive Director, Sarah will guide strategy, partnerships, and development as the Foundation scales its programming and infrastructure across Maine.

Joining her is Noah Riskind, whose work many in our community already know firsthand. As Director of Impact Programming, Noah has been instrumental in shaping and delivering the Foundation’s on-the-ground efforts. From the Portland Soccer Project in local schools to community-based partnerships that use soccer to support social, emotional, and physical well-being. His leadership has helped turn belief into action, and vision into lived experience for young people across the state.

Together, Sarah and Noah will help steward the Hearts of Pine Foundation’s growth, expanding after-school programming, building new safe-play spaces, removing financial barriers to gear and resources, and continuing to build a Maine where every young person has access to the game itself and to the community that comes with it.

Support the Hearts of Pine Foundation

As we look to expand our programming, we invite you to support these efforts. Every donation to the Hearts of Pine foundation directly funds the Portland Soccer Project, new safe-play spaces across Maine, expanded access to free gear, and the creation of future programming. 

About the Hearts of Pine Foundation

The Hearts of Pine Foundation is a 501c3 that exists to do as much good in the state of Maine as possible, and soccer is the perfect medium through which to do that work. It is a universal language, a convener across culture and class, a cultivator of joy, camaraderie, and common identity. Through soccer we combat isolation and loneliness, develop social and emotional skills, and create opportunities for countless positive outcomes. 

From the start, our mission has been bigger than soccer. We believe in Soccer for Good; that this game can connect people across backgrounds, build confidence and belonging, and strengthen the fabric of Maine’s communities. This past year, we’ve seen that belief made real again and again.

Dozens of school visits. Thousands of pieces of donated clothing and gear through the Play It Forward Campaign. A first-year Portland Soccer Project that is already shaping the lives of young Mainers in the East End, with more schools joining in the months ahead. And still, we’re only scratching the surface of what’s possible.

I’m proud to share our next step in expanding our club’s impact both on and off the pitch: the Hearts of Pine Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to expanding and sustaining our community programming for generations to come.

The Foundation exists to do as much good in Maine as possible, with soccer as our medium to do that work. We’ve seen it at every step of our club’s journey. This sport is a universal language. It is a bridge across culture and class, a source of joy, confidence, and identity. Through soccer, we combat isolation, build social and emotional skills, and create pathways to opportunity. The Hearts of Pine Foundation allows this work to grow deeper, and reach farther across our state.

As we look to expand our programming, I invite you to support these efforts. Every donation goes directly to funding the Portland Soccer Project, new safe-play spaces across Maine, expands access to free gear for those in need, and supports the creation of future programming. Let’s create a Maine where every young person has access to the game, and the community that comes with it.

I hope you’ll join us in this next chapter to build something lasting, rooted in generosity, belonging, and shared pride. This is Soccer for Good, and it belongs to all of us.

Thank you, as always, for leading with your heart.

Gabe Hoffman-Johnson
Founder, Portland Hearts of Pine & Hearts of Pine Foundation

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Hearts family,

Where do I even begin?

The past few days I’ve been reflecting a lot on our inaugural season—and honestly, the last five years, too. It’s been hard to wrap my head around everything, and I’ll keep sharing thoughts as they come over the next few weeks, but for now, these are the ones that have been sitting with me.

Also, since there’s a lot of new folks joining our newsletter lately… hi, I’m Gabe, the Founder and Chief Community Officer here at Portland Hearts of Pine.

Some of my favorite scenes from the final weeks of our inaugural season have been seeing the countless watch parties. They’re happening up in Lewiston, Bethel, and Bar Harbor. They’re happening across the country, down south, in DC, NYC, and even overseas. Then you look at everyone showing up locally at The Zoo, The State, and even on the road at Chattanooga and Spokane! People are showing up all around the world for the soccer club of Maine. It makes you wonder how far this thing can reach, and how much that connective tissue can expand beyond just us.

Hearts was built around who this community already is. With many organizations trying to create community around what they do, we’ve always tried to do the opposite: to listen, to learn, and to create from what people across this state actually need.

There’s a reason Bobby hand-picked each player. There’s a reason he recruited people, not just athletes. None of this started as a business model or a marketing strategy. It was born from empathy, from care, from making sure every single voice in Maine is heard. 

I wanted to bring something to Portland — to Maine — that I didn’t have growing up: a club that could change lives simply by making soccer accessible to everyone, in the greatest small city in the world.

If you’ve been along for the ride, you’ve probably heard me say it before: this club is about more than soccer. I often hear, “It’s incredible what you all created,” but the truth is, it’s not about us. It’s about you. The people who show up, who care, who love this place and one another. That’s what gives Hearts of Pine its heartbeat.

As our inaugural season comes to a close, I don’t see it as an ending, I see it as the beginning of our next chapter. Where does Hearts go from here? How do we welcome more Mainers near and far to be a part of this movement? How do we continue to show up, support, and connect more deeply with this community we love?

Yes, we lost last week in the semifinals, but what we’ve built together is bigger than wins or losses. We’ll always have this season together, and from here on out, Maine will always have a club to call its own. Hearts is Hearts because of you — because you gave a piece of your own heart to it.

When we lead with our hearts, we give everyone around us reason to do the same. That’s what makes this special. Because at the end of the day, when the final whistle fades, the glasses are empty, the cheers become handshakes and hugs, and we walk away with new friends and experiences, we’ve already won. We go again.

With that, as always, let’s get into it.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT…

The Hearts of Pine story is unlike any other in the world, so we figured it’s only right that we make a book about it!

250+ pages and filled with so many untold stories and looks behind the curtain, this work of art chronicles the club’s early days through to the conclusion of our inaugural season.

There’s something in here for every Hearts fan, for everyone who loves this beautiful game, and for all those with their hearts in Maine. I can’t wait for you to see what we’ve been working on for so long!

It’s available for pre-order now and is expected to start shipping out mid-December.

YOUR NEXT GREAT ADVENTURE

Maine winters are built differently. People talk about them with a kind of reverence — a force that shows you what you’re really made of. But it’s not something to endure; it’s something to invigorate.

Mainers look forward to winter. The pace slows, the once-crowded beaches empty, and the focus shifts inland toward the mountains. When I need to clear my head, I head to Sugarloaf. I’ve snowboarded most of my life, and strapping in with Carrabassett Valley stretching below always reminds me how lucky I am to live in a place where you can go from the mountains to the ocean in a single day.

For me, the colder months also mean hockey season. Along with soccer, hockey has always been a big part of my life. I played through high school, and ever since, Maine’s frozen ponds and lakes have been my favorite places to chase a puck across glassy ice under a wide-open sky. Anyone else heading up to the Maine Pond Hockey Classic this year?!

So as the days get colder and we start to pause, reflect, and reconnect with what matters most like family, friends, and the best place on earth (Maine, of course), here are a few of my favorite winter things:

Walking through Portland in the middle of a snowstorm — it’s pure magic, almost like stepping into your own personal snow globe. The quiet stillness of the first light after a fresh snow. Bare branches coated in white, and the sparkle of untouched snow everywhere you look. And after a long day out in the cold, curling up by the fire with a warm cup of tea before bed — is there anything better than that??

THANK YOU RUSTIC TAPS!

Loved all the local beverage options this season? A huge shoutout to Rustic Taps, who managed our entire food and beverage program! We couldn’t have offered such amazing concessions without them, and we highly recommend them if you’re planning a special event of your own!

In case you missed it—Goal dropped a feature piece on Hearts. It dives into what makes Hearts of Pine what it is, the people, the place, and the purpose behind it all.

Sure, it’s about soccer. But more than that, it’s about this shared belief that something special happens when Maine shows up for Maine. That’s what makes this whole thing work.

We’re honored to be featured by one of the leading soccer publications in the country—one that’s been telling the game’s stories for almost two decades. But as always, this story isn’t just about us. It’s about you. Every matchday, every chant, every small act of support—it all adds up to something bigger.

Curious how it all came to be? Behind the jersey, behind the game, or just looking for another reason to fall in love with this city, check it out below!

Even after the stands have emptied for the season, the flood of positivity and gratitude hasn’t stopped. Mountains and mountains of incredible messages have poured in — stories, memories, and words that remind us why this club exists.

Thank you for letting us hear you, for holding space in the stands for us to get to know each of you, and for letting us experience this community in such a real and unique way. Know that the gratitude goes both ways. It’s been an incredible honor, and we can’t wait to bring it all back around next season.

Here are a few things we’ve been hearing lately…

“Who would’ve thought an Instagram ad from a team almost 400 miles from home would’ve had me in tears just a year after hearing about them. What a special club this is. Maine captured my heart from the moment I first came, but this team captured more than that somehow. I’ve watched more soccer this season than the other 27 years of my life combined because of the lightning storm this team is. UTFH forever, can’t wait to win it all next year!”

“I have never in my life been so interested in a team and its progress as I am with the Hearts. What you all have built is not just a team but an anchor for our community that brings everyone together in joy and harmony. These matches have no agendas other than being part of the vibe. Bravo.”

“I’ve been to world series games, AFC championship games, and I was at the snow/tuck Patriots Brady game. I have to say, Hearts matches are the most festive and fun game I have ever been to.”

“I have literally never experienced literal LOVE of a sports team until the Hearts. Thanks so much for the amazing experience of being a Hearts fan!”

“I’m sure you’ve heard this so often, but I really can’t even begin to encapsulate how the experience at the game made me feel. It was so far above and beyond my expectations, not just as a sporting event but from a community perspective as well. The attendance was 6,440 (congratulations on the record!) but I had that sense that everyone was there. I even saw multiple people that I haven’t seen since high school! It was the highlight of my autumn thus far.”

“We had no idea what we were in for signing on this season. We’d show up for 90 minutes of uninterrupted bliss at Fitzy each week. The loudness of the outside world would be silenced by the Dirigo Union cheering. Making new friends, seeing old ones. Just straight up community coming together. To show my daughter what it’s like to be part of something bigger than us is something I hold so close to my heart. Win or lose. Rain or shine. Freezing or sweaty hot July games. We show up. We show up for our team, we show up for our state. We show up for our boys of Maine. It is an honor and a privilege to be part of. UP THE FRIGGIN HEARTS!!! To the moon!!!!”

“I am just so happy that Portland has a team now. It has been such a soul nourishing experience going to these games. As a massive soccer fan and former player, its just so great to see everyone come together. The team is full of individuals who care so passionately about not just the game but the greater good of the community and that is something so truly special.”

“Thank you Hearts for an absolutely magical season. My family and I were all soccer fans, but we had no idea how we’d fall in love with the beautiful game and this team.”

WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!

We’re putting together an end-of-season message for the boys of Maine after this incredible inaugural year. We’d love for you to share your sentiments using the link below.

A few quick tips: film vertically, in a well-lit space, be original, be genuine — it’s been such a special ride, and the boys would love to hear what it’s meant to you.

Not into video? No worries — our inbox is always open for your words: info@heartsofpine.com.

Yours in building community though the beautiful game,

Gabe

Founder & Chief Community Officer

Missed our August newsletter? No worries, subscribe now to get it straight to your inbox each month and stay up to speed on all the latest.

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.

“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

PORTLAND, Maine – Portland Hearts of Pine are a purpose-driven club that represents all who have their hearts in Maine, and we work to deliver on that promise at every turn.

Already in our inaugural season we’ve created the Play it Forward program to provide soccer equipment to children in need, helped organize weekly pickup soccer matches for Portland’s immigrants and asylum seekers to help them settle into their new home, and launched a program to help develop the next generation of sports journalists.

Now, we are excited to unveil our new Impact Programming page to showcase the ways in which we are using soccer as a force for good in the city and state we call home, and also to offer fans the opportunity to join us so that together we can make a difference in Maine and beyond. 

As new initiatives are launched they will be highlighted on the page, and examples of our current programming include:

Portland Soccer Project

Hearts’ after school program uses soccer as a tool for working on conflict resolution, self-regulation, and leadership skills. Students are empowered to take ownership of sessions, and emphasize the importance of being a good teammate—all while experiencing the joy and health benefits of playing soccer. Forty fourth- and fifth-graders participated in the program at East End Community School this spring, and were even joined one evening by Hearts players Mikey Lopez, Mickey Reilly, Azaad Liadi, and Natty James.

Community Ticketing Program

The Community Ticketing Program ensures all fans, regardless of their backgrounds or financial situations, have the opportunity to join us at ‘Fitzy’ during our inaugural season.

Over the course of the season, 1,400 tickets are being distributed to the City of Portland’s Office 

of Economic Opportunity, Portland Public Schools, local youth soccer organizations, the Portland Housing Authority, and MaineHealth for those organizations to distribute to in-need members of their respective communities as they see fit.

In addition, select fans who receive tickets through the Program and who are also making a positive difference in their own communities are honored on the field prior to kickoff at each home match, joining the teams for the coin toss as the Community Captain.

Building soccer pitches

Hearts helped facilitate the creation of a futsal court in Portland’s East Bayside neighborhood in 2021, and the club intends that to just be the beginning. We are making an express commitment to help create healthier and more cohesive communities through sport, and plans are underway to create additional pitches throughout the state.

The full breadth and depth of our Impact Programming, including a link for fans who wish to give their time, share their skills, or make a donation to help us build a stronger, more inclusive Maine can be found on the Portland Hearts of Pine website.