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Portland Hearts of Pine

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Portland Hearts of Pine
Full namePortland Hearts of Pine
Nickname(s)Hearts[1]
FoundedSeptember 7, 2023; 14 months ago (2023-09-07)
StadiumFitzpatrick Stadium
Portland, Maine
Capacity6,000
Coordinates43°39′29″N 70°16′36″W / 43.65802°N 70.27668°W / 43.65802; -70.27668
OwnerGabe Hoffman-Johnson; Jonathan and Catherine Culley; Tom Caron
PresidentKevin Schohl
Head coachBobby Murphy
LeagueUSL League One
2025Inaugural season
Websiteheartsofpine.com

The Portland Hearts of Pine is a planned American professional soccer team based in Portland, Maine. First announced in 2023, the team plans to play in USL League One beginning in 2025. Their home field is Fitzpatrick Stadium.

History

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On September 7, 2023, the United Soccer League announced that the city of Portland, Maine, had been awarded a USL League One expansion team which would start play in the 2025 season. Gabe Hoffman-Johnson, a former soccer player at Dartmouth College and a standout at nearby Falmouth High School, was announced as the club founder, with the ownership group including local real-estate developers Jonathan and Catherine Culley and NESN broadcaster Tom Caron, a native of Lewiston, Maine.[2]

On April 22, 2024, Kevin Schohl, a former vice president at DraftKings and former executive with AMB Sports and Entertainment, the owner of Major League Soccer club Atlanta United FC, was hired as president and chief business officer.[3]

On September 19, 2024, the team announced that a League One-record 96% of its season ticket deposits had been purchased.[4]

The club named St. Louis City 2 coach Bobby Murphy the team's inaugural head coach and sporting director on November 14, 2024.[5]

Club crest and colors

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The club's Hearts of Pine nickname and crest were unveiled on April 27, 2024.[6][7] The crest features a pine tree, waves, and a heart inside of the starburst featured on the Seal of Maine.[8] The font for "Portland" was inspired by the Portland Company building on Portland's waterfront, and the scroll bearing "Hearts of Pine" is a nod to Maine's literary tradition.[9][10]

The inaugural home jersey was unveiled on November 21, 2024, during a sold-out event at the State Theatre in Portland attended by Maine Governor Janet Mills.[11][12] The inaugural home jersey, dubbed the "Woods and Water Kit," features forest green and navy blue hoops with red accents on the collar and sleeve cuffs.[13]

Sponsorship

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Seasons Shirt manufacturer Shirt sponsor
2024–present[11] Denmark Hummel Front: Visit Maine
Sleeve: L.L.Bean

References

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  1. ^ "Maine's first pro soccer team reveals new name, logo". News Center Maine. 27 April 2024. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  2. ^ "Portland, Maine granted USL League One franchise". September 7, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  3. ^ "USL to Portland names Kevin Schohl president, Governor declares "Maine Day of Soccer"". April 24, 2024. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  4. ^ "Portland Hearts of Pine Sets USL League One Record with 96% Sold". BVM Sports. 2024-09-19. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  5. ^ "Portland Hearts of Pine Name Bobby Murphy First Coach in Club History". Hearts of Pine. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
  6. ^ "USL League One unveils brand reveal of Portland Hearts of Pine - and it may well be the best crest in North American soccer | Goal.com US". www.goal.com. 2024-04-27. Retrieved 2024-05-21.
  7. ^ "How do you feel about the name of Maine's new pro soccer team, the Portland Hearts of Pine?". Mainebiz. Retrieved 2024-05-21.
  8. ^ Emerson, Anthony (2024-04-28). "Hearts of Pine: Portland's First Pro Soccer Club". Uni Watch. Retrieved 2024-05-21.
  9. ^ Ashton, Alex (2024-05-21). "USL League One 2025 Expansion Updates". Beyond The 90'. Retrieved 2024-05-21.
  10. ^ Bonifant, Drew (27 April 2024). "Portland men's pro soccer team unveils new name: Hearts of Pine". The Press Herald. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  11. ^ a b "Portland Hearts of Pine Unveil Inaugural Home Jersey at State Theatre". Portland Hearts of Pine. November 21, 2024. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  12. ^ "Portland Hearts of Pine release first jersey design". newscentermaine.com. 2024-11-21. Retrieved 2024-11-22.
  13. ^ ""Keeping It Local" — Portland Hearts of Pine Launch Their First Kit". Uni Watch. 2024-11-22. Retrieved 2024-11-25.
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