Maine’s new USL-1 soccer franchise to debut in 2025

Sports news

The expansion team will hold tryouts for players this fall.

By STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS, The Boston Globe

April 27, 2024

In front of more than 1,000 fans in Portland and as Gov. Janet Mills declared the state’s first “Soccer Day,” Maine’s new USL League One soccer franchise was dubbed the Portland Hearts of Pine and will debut on game in 2025.

The United Soccer League announced a USL-1 expansion franchise in Maine’s largest city last September. In November, the Portland City Council approved the club’s lease agreement to play at 6,000-capacity Fitzpatrick Stadium.

Hearts of Pine, or Hearts for short, has already named a team president (Kevin Schohl), a director of operations (Hannah Sirois, formerly of the Maine Celtics) and a marketing manager, and will hold tryouts for players this fall . Coaches and other team leaders are expected to be named in the fall.

“This is a great day for football in Maine, but it’s just the beginning of what’s to come. We hope the club will inspire not only football fans and players, but everyone who has their heart in Maine,” Schohl said.

The Hearts of Pine name was developed with input from local supporters, with links to Maine’s nickname as The Pine Tree State, as well as the Hearts nickname reflecting football clubs elsewhere, such as Edinborough’s famous Heart of Midlothian of the Scottish Premiership.

“The club crest features an iconic Maine pine tree resting on deep blue water, bathed in the glow of a unique creation, the Dirigo Heart, which reimagines Maine’s famous Dirigo Star in the spirit of wellness. loved Portland Valentine’s Day bandit,” the release said. explain.

Governor Mills led the crowd gathered in Portland for the announcement and applauded Maine’s new professional franchise.

“I congratulate Maine’s new professional football team, Hearts of Pine, for unveiling the name that the people of Maine will cheer for for years to come,” she said. “To celebrate this exciting milestone and in honor of passionate football fans across the state, I have proclaimed today the first-ever Maine Football Day. I look forward to joining the people of Maine to cheer on Hearts of Pine when they take the field next year.