PORTLAND, Maine — "Lead with your heart."
The motto for Maine's first professional soccer team, the Portland Hearts of Pine, has turned into a rallying cry for soccer fans across the state well before their first match.
As supporters wait for the team's first season in the United States Soccer League (USL) League One, we now know what the players will be wearing on the field.
During a jersey reveal at the State Theatre Thursday night, fans were able to get their first glimpse at the team kits.
Team founder Gabe Hoffman-Johnson said he wanted to create a jersey that highlights modern and vintage designs that pay tribute to the core values and traditions of Maine.
"I'm proud to be from Maine. This is our team. I'm wearing something that represents all of us as people, as a community, no matter who you are, where you come from," he said ahead of Thursday's reveal.
The details
Hoffman-Johnson explained that he's a big believer in the "details mattering" and every design is there for a reason. From the green and blue lateral stripes, or hoops, symbolizing Maine woods and water to the team's motto under the collar on the back, to the Dirigo heart featured on the front representing the state's motto of "I Lead."
The Dirigo heart is the club’s unique interpretation of the state motto, replacing the traditional star with a heart derived from Portland's Valentine's Day Bandit tradition, surrounded by illuminating rays, according to the team.
Of course, the crest that is already featured on all kinds of merchandise will be on each jersey. The crest celebrates Maine's traditional connection to the ocean and the iconic pine tree.
The team name, Hearts of Pine, is displayed in a scroll which is a nod to Maine’s literary contributions, from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow to Stephen King today, and a reference to the state seal on which a scroll holds the state’s name, according to the club's website.
Hoffman-Johnson explained the front of the jersey will display "Maine," to drive home the fact that the team is for all Mainers to support. The Maine Office of Tourism is the front-of-the-jersey partner and Hoffman-Johnson said it's great to be able to use the organization's iconic logo design.
L.L.Bean is another club sponsor and its logo will be featured on the sleeve. The jerseys, Hoffman-Johnson added, are manufactured by Hummel, a Danish outerwear company that works with soccer clubs from around the world.
While he's taken on a number of new responsibilities in recent years, Hoffman-Johnson is a soccer player and fan at heart, no pun intended. He said he understands the fashion and cultural significance soccer jerseys have around the world.
That's why Hoffman-Johnson wanted to create a unique jersey that can be recognized across the state, the country, and beyond.
"You're going to know that's a Hearts jersey, you're going to know that person loves Maine, you're going to know that person is a fan of this team no matter where you are in the world," he added. "When you see it, you'll know that's the pro soccer team from Maine."
The jerseys will be long-sleeve and short-sleeve and are available in women's, men's, and children's sizes.
Growing the game
While planning Thursday's jersey reveal, the club has also been working on a film series highlighting soccer across the state and how it brings people of all backgrounds together. Its first documentary, "Rosati," premiered Thursday night and "tells the inspiring story of the immensely impactful work by the Rosati Leadership Academy in Lewiston through the sport of soccer," according to the club.
Other documentaries produced in other areas of the state will be released soon.
What's next
Hoffman-Johnson said more than 400 jerseys were sold prior to Thursday's event and expects hundreds more to be purchased by the end of the night. Team merchandise has already been sold and shipped to 48 states. You can click here to visit the team store.
Months before its first match, the club sold all 4,500 season ticket deposits for the 2025 season. There is a waitlist for season tickets. You can sign up for the waitlist, or find other ticket information here.
The Hearts, led by head coach Bobby Murphy, will be hosting tryouts next month. The first tryout will be for Mainers only on Dec. 7 and is already sold out. Then, there will be open tryouts from Dec. 13-15. You can find more tryout information here.
The USL will release the Hearts' 2025 schedule next month with games expected to begin in March.