Gabe Hoffman-Johnson

A Note From Our Founder At The End Of The Regular Season

October 26, 2025 by Hearts of Pine Staff

To our community,

We did it.

After years of dreaming together — and finally stepping onto the pitch over these past six months — we’re reaching the end of our inaugural season.

Throughout my life, soccer has always been more than a game. It’s been a way to connect people, to inspire one another, and to build something bigger than ourselves. This game has the power to bring out the best in a community — and together, we’ve shown exactly that here in Maine.

Whether you’ve been with us since before we even had a name, you’re a season ticket member, cheering from afar, or somewhere in between — your support is the heartbeat of this club. And what we’ve built together is something truly special. You can feel it — in the stands, on the streets of Portland, across state lines and around the world. This isn’t just a soccer team; it’s a community that believes in one another. Something that brings us all together… a beacon of joy.

This particular game is special for a number of reasons. Not only could it be our last home match, but it also marks the anniversary of the Lewiston shooting. At the 18th minute, we invite you to stand in honor of the 18 victims together as a community.

With playoffs on the horizon and the chance to bring postseason soccer home to Maine, I want to take a moment — no matter what happens next — to say thank you. Every single one of you has helped make this possible.

There’s a reason I love walking through the stands on matchday. Meeting you, hearing your stories, seeing your pride. It reminds me why we started this in the first place. Hearts of Pine has always been for the people, and I’m just lucky to have played a small part in it. This has been more meaningful than I ever could have imagined, and I know we’ll all carry the memories of this first season with us for the rest of our lives.

Thank you for always leading with your heart — and for being the soul of this club.

Yours in building community through the beautiful game,

Gabe Hoffman-Johnson
Founder, Portland Hearts of Pine

UP THE HEARTS!

History at Fitzy: Hearts Clinch Playoff Berth with Tie Against Westchester

October 18, 2025 by Hearts of Pine Staff

PORTLAND, Maine – Portland Hearts of Pine (10-7-11) made Fitzy history on Saturday night, becoming just the fourth expansion team in USL League One history to make the playoffs in its inaugural season.

With a 2-2 tie against Westchester SC (5-15-9), Portland joins Union Omaha, who qualified for the 2020 playoffs, Spokane Velocity FC, who qualified in 2024, and FC Naples, who managed the feat this season, as the only first-year teams to advance to the postseason in their first attempt.

The evening started in appropriately celebratory fashion, with Hearts turning Fitzpatrick Stadium into the “Fitzy Fair.” The sold-out crowd of 5,856 enjoyed a petting zoo, carnival food and games, and the opportunity to soak the likes of Portland defender Jaden Jones-Riley, NESN broadcaster Tom Caron, and Hearts founder Gabe Hoffman-Johnson in the dunk tank before soccer legend Michelle Akers joined the teams at midfield for the coin toss.

After an opening 45 minutes that saw neither side find the back of the net, Portland wasted no time getting on the board after the restart. Just 36 seconds into the second half, Ollie Wright launched a long ball over the top of the Westchester defense, hitting Jake Keegan in stride. When Josh Drack brought Keegan down from behind in the penalty area, referee Amin Hadzic showed Drack a yellow card, then pointed to the penalty spot. Up stepped Ollie Wright, who promptly pulled off a cheeky Panenka to give Hearts a 1-0 lead.

Westchester got one back in the 72nd minute through Golden Boot leader JC Obregón, though the 1-1 tie lasted just three minutes. In the 75th minute, Nathan Messer launched a cross in from the left wing, looking to pick Sean Vinberg out in front of the goal. Vinberg, sandwiched between a pair of Westchester defenders, was unable to get his head on the ball, but it rebounded off an opponent and rolled towards the near post, where Masashi Wada pounced on it and knocked it home.

Obregon tied the match again in the 90th minute with a superb free kick from long range, but a single point was all Hearts needed. As the final whistle sounded and the opening strains of Cher’s “Believe” rang out throughout Fitzpatrick Stadium, head coach Bobby Murphy led the Portland team on an exhausted yet elated victory lap.

Mission accomplished? Not quite. With two home matches still to come next week, Hearts are still alive in the hunt for a top four spot in the standings, which would see Fort Fitzy play host to playoff soccer in November.

Believe, indeed.

“I told the guys before the game that we had a chance tonight to accomplish something that a lot of people hoped would happen, and we knew would happen,” said Coach Bobby Murphy. “To be able to go out and do it with a couple of games left in the season, for an expansion club is a huge accomplishment.”

Hearts are Finally Home, Reflections from Club Founder Gabe Hoffman-Johnson following Inaugural Home Opener

May 7, 2025 by Hearts of Pine Staff

In the days following Hearts’ Inaugural Season Home Opener at Fitzpatrick Stadium, Hearts’ Founder and Chief Community Officer Gabe Hoffman-Johnson shared a heartfelt reaction on his LinkedIn celebrating the a milestone for the club, the city, and the state.

“Pro Soccer has officially landed in Portland, Maine and the feeling is simply indescribable.

A sellout crowd came together for a historic evening, braving the elements as only Mainers do. Over 5 years in the making. Brick by brick. A club built by Mainers, for Mainers. Anchored locally. Born of, and rooted in, this wonderful community. There is something incredibly special about what’s going on up here in Northern New England.

This is truly the community’s club. Reflecting and representing our sense of place in everything we do. Inviting the community at large to feel and “BE” a part of it all since day one = the authenticity, connective tissue, and sense of community ownership that dreams are made of. Embodied joy and a collective pride in our home state.

I believe in the power of this beautiful game to change the world. I believe in the potential of a values-based community-connected organization, if cultivated and grown the right way, to activate and build agency in others and drive positive societal impact. To draw people in. To attract. To provide the outlet and connection we all yearn for. Because the exact vision and values it embodies are the same vision and values that we all instinctually want pulled out of ourselves.

People want to have their best selves invited to come forward. People want to be invited to lead with their hearts.

With all the outside noise and chaotic context we navigate daily… I invite you to enjoy the stunningly suitable words of an anonymous attendee.

“The fact that nobody seemed to care that it was raining (just like all the Lewiston games) and everyone had a genuine smile on their faces. I’m telling you, these games and this organization has become a part of my mental health and self-care practice. When I attend HOP games, I literally feel like I’m transported into a utopian experience- the instant camaraderie, joyous atmosphere, community, and inclusion for ALL. I want to thank you for this incredible experience when outside of the game there is too much negativity and divisiveness. HOP is healing hearts and providing hope where otherwise there may not have been. Such a priceless gift that I will never take for granted.”

I’m humbled and grateful. It takes a village… and only as successful as the community makes it. Holy sh*t, we’re off to a good start!

The soccer club of Maine is here. The only thing left to say is… join us. If you want to be a part of it… you already are.

Gabe Hoffman-Johnson
Founder & Chief Community Officer

Portland Hearts of Pine Sell Out Home Opener

April 30, 2025 by Hearts of Pine Staff

Portland Hearts of Pine Sell Out Home Opener

PORTLAND, Maine – Portland Hearts of Pine, Maine’s first professional soccer club, announced today that it has officially sold out its inaugural season home opener at Fitzpatrick Stadium.

In what amounts to a historic day for Maine, the multi-year effort to bring professional soccer to Portland culminates this Sunday as Hearts take on One Knoxville SC. The match will kick off at 6:00 p.m on Sunday, May 4.

As part of the team’s lease agreement with the City of Portland to use Fitzpatrick Stadium, Hearts invested nearly $3 million into site renovations, including new turf, lights, and locker rooms, as well as renovations to the press box and other site improvements. The upgraded Fitzpatrick Stadium has seating for 5,500 fans, plus additional standing-room-only capacity.

“We’re blown away by the support we’ve received from the community,” said team founder and Chief Community Officer Gabe Hoffman-Johnson. “From day one we’ve worked hard to make this a club for all Mainers, and the outpouring of love we’ve received in return has been both humbling and motivating. We can’t wait to make history with everyone at ‘Fitzy’ on Sunday.”

The club has already set numerous League records for season tickets, merchandise and social media followers ahead of its inaugural season, and the excitement in and around the club and Maine is palpable.

Sunday’s match against One Knoxville SC will air live on NESN and ESPN+. Single game tickets for all remaining matches will go on sale at noon on Monday, May 12.

April Newsletter

April 23, 2025 by Hearts of Pine Staff

Hey There Bub,

I can’t believe it’s already late April—can you?! Time is flying, we’re less than two weeks from our inaugural season home opener, and there’s so much happening at Hearts.

For those new to the movement, I’m Gabe, founder and Chief Community Officer of Portland Hearts of Pine. We’re a culture-led, community-built club bringing professional soccer to Maine.

Since launching the Hearts brand in April 2024, we’ve hit some incredible milestones: 33 amazing partnerships (huge thanks to all of them!), over 4,000 season ticket memberships, our inaugural home and away kits revealed (plus two goalie kits), our first-ever competitive matches played right here in Maine, and our first few away matches in the books. The best part? We’re just getting started.

This month we proudly announced our Community Ticketing Impact Program that will ensure fans, regardless of their backgrounds or financial situations, have the opportunity to join us at ‘Fitzy’ during our inaugural season.

Here at Hearts, we recognize the impact we can have in our communities if we use our platform thoughtfully and intentionally. New research shows that attending live sporting events results in higher scores of two major measurements of subjective well-being – life satisfaction and a sense of “life being worthwhile” – in addition to lower levels of loneliness. This is significant as previous studies show higher life satisfaction scores are associated with fewer life-limiting conditions and better physical health, successful aging, and lower mortality rates. I love the public health implications of this program, and it’s something we plan to continue leaning into in the future.

MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Last week, our U.S. Open Cup run came to a close, and I’m filled with gratitude reflecting on our time there. It strikes me as especially fitting that our first set of “home” matches were played in Lewiston; such a vibrant and culturally diverse city with a strong sense of community and shared love of soccer. As the soccer club of Maine, expanding our home stadium horizons felt like the right thing to do. Looking back, we couldn’t have chosen a better place.

The Cup is grassroots American soccer at its core— and in many ways, it mirrors what we’re building here at this club. That shared ethos came to life during our cup run as thousands of Mainers braved cold and rainy weeknights, and gathered around the pitch in Lewiston to support our boys of Maine. Each game brought the kind of moments you’ll never forget and something I’ll carry with me forever.

I often get asked how it feels, now that the club is here. Now that we’ve done it. What are my favorite parts? For me, it always comes back to the people. The stories we hear along the way, from lifelong soccer supporters to folks just beginning to fall in love with the game, and the community around it, are the special sauce that reminds us why we do what we do.

__________

“We showed up to the jersey reveal in November knowing nothing about soccer — or sports in general. We’re very much the ‘Go Sports!’ type of people. That night, we realized it’s SO much more than a game. It’s a unifier and a lifeline for so many people. We decided to attend the first Lewiston match and are now hoping to become Season Ticket Members next year. I can’t explain it, but there’s something magical about all this. And it’s not going away anytime soon, and neither are we.”

“I was truly moved to tears last night being witness to all of the love and support our community brought to Lewiston- in spite of the chilly, damp weather. I hope the players and all those who have worked so tirelessly to make this dream team come to fruition realizes how much we appreciate you all. I’ve told countless people how incredible the experience was, and how genuinely uplifting and joyous the evening was. These days, we’re inundated with negativity and divisiveness, yet while at the game, we were all there together as one, having fun and putting any negativity aside. It genuinely cleansed my soul, and has allowed me to embrace the motto of “Lead with your Heart!” Thank you all so much, and we truly CAN’T WAIT for this season!”

“As a teacher at LHS and longtime community member, it was phenomenal to greet and watch Khalid Hersi at home! What he is modeling for our students is beyond what any classroom could teach…”

MISS THE MATCH? CATCH THE RECAP.

You can find a full recap for every match on our website, including highlights, photos, videos, and more. It’s the perfect spot to catch up if you missed the game or need a go-to resource for all the action! Visit our news tab on the website to find each one.

MATCH RECAPS

We recently unveiled two Goalkeeper Kits, and they’re available online for preorder! Grab all your Hearts gear online or in store right here in Portland. My recent favorites? I can’t go anywhere without my Hearts Navy Trucker Hat or the U.S. Open Cup Long Sleeve.

GOALKEEPER KITS

NEW ARRIVALS

SHOP ONLINE

SHOP IN STORE

Can’t make it to the game but still want to be part of the action? Join us at one of our official watch party locations right here in Portland and cheer on the team!

CHECK OUT ALL OUR WATCH PARTIES

$3 DEWEYS WATCH PARTY

Our next watch party is at $3 Deweys on Saturday, May 10th at 8 PM as we take on Union Omaha! Enjoy giveaways, prizes, exclusive limited-edition collab. merchandise, and more — it’s going to be a night you won’t want to miss!

RSVP TODAY

WHAT I’VE BEEN WATCHING

One doc that’s been popping up in just about every conversation lately is Join or Die on Netflix. It follows the 50-year journey of legendary social scientist Robert Putnam, whose groundbreaking Bowling Alone research dug deep into America’s unraveling sense of community (and you know how I feel about community connection!).

Through stories from grassroots groups to national leaders, the film tackles three big questions: What makes a society strong and resilient? Why are we feeling more isolated, anxious, and divided? And how do we rebuild the connections that hold us together?

It’s thoughtful, timely, and honestly I love the parallels to the real power of this beautiful game. Soccer is the great leveler, the great unifier – it brings people together from all backgrounds – not only in the stands, but in our communities. The power to strengthen bonds and create new ones, the power to build community is soccer’s real power… and something Hearts aims to amplify each and every day.

Our City. Our State. Our Club.

Okay, I might sound like a broken record, but if you’ve scrolled this far (and even if you just skipped to the bottom), I have to say it—thank you. Seriously. Whether you’ve been here since day one or just showed up, you’ve helped make this thing real. Hearts wouldn’t be Hearts without you.

Until next time.

Building community though the beautiful game,

Gabe

Portland Hearts of Pine Announce Community Ticketing Program

April 8, 2025 by Hearts of Pine Staff

PORTLAND, Maine – The lifeblood of any soccer team is its supporters. From the moment Portland was granted franchise rights to join USL League One, Hearts of Pine have been committed to ensuring those fans filling Fitzpatrick Stadium reflect all Mainers.

Today, we’re proud to announce our Community Ticketing Program that will ensure 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 2025 season, 1400 tickets will be 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.

“From day one, Hearts of Pine recognized the outsized role we can play in strengthening connections and building community here in Maine,” said founder and chief community officer Gabe Hoffman-Johnson. “We see it as a responsibility—it’s one of our core tenants and reasons for being. We’re thrilled to be able to provide equitable access across the diverse mosaic of communities we have here for our inaugural season. It’s a true testament to our partners’ shared vision for helping bring this to life.”

The initiative will benefit the Quality Housing Coalition, the YMCA Family Shelter, Portland Community Health Outreach, Prosperity Maine, the Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center, minority owned businesses, and more.

“So many Portland Public Schools’ students, staff, and families feel a deep connection to soccer,” said Andrea Weisman Summers, executive director of the Foundation for Portland Public Schools. “It’s a great example of an interest that is shared across cultures. We’ve already worked with Hearts of Pine around gear donations for students and we’re thrilled that the team donated a block of season tickets to distribute to schools.”

“[Soccer] transcends cultures, religions, ethnicities, and races, bringing people together to cheer for each other,” said Melissa Hue, director of the Office of Economic Opportunity in the City of Portland’s Housing and Economic Development Department. “So, when [Hearts of Pine founder Gabe Hoffman-Johnson] reached out about donating tickets to communities that may not have the means or opportunity to attend a game, I thought, ‘This is what it’s all about.’ It’s about creating a space where everyone shows up to cheer, support, and take pride in their community.

“This aligns perfectly with the mission of the Office of Economic Opportunity. Providing resources and opportunities to those in need is at the heart of what we do. This partnership with Hearts of Pine is an incredible chance to bring a bit of joy (an undervalued resource) to those communities.”

“By opening their doors to our Portland soccer families, Hearts are showing how important community is,” said Tyrone Daniels, president of Portland Area Youth Soccer Association. “I believe these game day experiences will provide our families with a sense of belonging and importance, and will hopefully spark a new level of excitement and belief in what’s possible. Thanks to Portland Hearts of Pine, our youth now have a real, local example of what their future in soccer could look like.”

Portland Hearts of Pine will host Rhode Island FC in the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at Lewiston High School on April 15. Single tickets for Portland’s regular season home opener, at Fitzpatrick Stadium on May 4, will go on sale at noon on April 9. Individual tickets for all other matches will go on sale May 12.

All tickets will be available at tickets.heartsofpine.com.