USL League 1 teams announced ahead of their inaugural season, set for next year.
PORTLAND, Maine — Maine's first professional soccer team officially has a name.
On Saturday, Maine's new United Soccer League 1 team announced a new name, “Portland Hearts of Pines,” or “Hearts” for short, and a new logo inspired by “Maine pride.” announced, according to a news release.
The announcement was made Saturday morning at an event attended by hundreds of fans and supporters at Thompson's Point in Portland.
The team also launched a website on Saturday, allowing Miners to purchase merchandise on the spot. There, you can order team gear online and make deposits for season tickets.
The name was inspired by “pine heartwood, which gives the tree the power to grow and thrive in all seasons and elements of Maine,” the team said on social media. This is a symbol of Mines' resilience, according to the release.
The logo consists of key elements that reference several iconic symbols of the state of Maine.
“The club crest features the Dirigo Heart, a unique creation that reimagines Maine’s famous Dirigo Star in the spirit of Portland’s beloved Valentine’s Day bandits, and stands out against the deep blue water, bathed in sparkle. It depicts the iconic Maine pine tree,” the release states. said.
Club founder Gabe Hoffman-Johnson said team leaders wanted to incorporate something unique into the name and logo, explaining how “Heart” is special to Portland and to people across Maine. He said he understands what is going on.
The team's motto, “Lead With Your Heart,” is a spin on Dirigo State's motto, “I Lead.”
“Leading with heart is the driving force behind this club's creation, creating opportunity and energy for communities across the state,” Hoffman-Johnson said in a news release.
To celebrate this milestone, Governor Janet Mills declared April 27th as Maine Soccer Day.
In September 2023, USL announced its expansion to League One Portland, which was approved by the Portland City Council later that year.
Tryouts will begin this fall, with the first games scheduled for spring 2025 at Portland's Fitzpatrick Stadium.
Click here to learn more about the team.
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