There’s an ethos that’s foundational to Portland Hearts of Pine.

“We’re the soccer club of Maine, and who we tell stories about and who we amplify, and the things that we shine the spotlight on, very often are not even about soccer, and they're not even about the club,” said Hearts of Pine founder Gabe Hoffman-Johnson. “It's about people. It's about place. It's about [being] anchored locally in everything that we do.”

On Thursday morning, Hearts of Pine’s story was placed in the national spotlight as ABC’s Good Morning America featured the USL League One club in its series ‘50 States in 50 Weeks’, highlighting how the club has impacted Maine through the power of community and soccer over the course of its inaugural season.

Hearts of Pine welcomed sellout crowds to every game of its inaugural season at Fitzpatrick Stadium, setting a League One regular-season record with a crowd of 6,220 fans at its penultimate game of the regular season before going on to reach the Semifinals of the 2025 USL League One Playoffs.

Beyond the field, however, the club has reached the Maine community, hosting events and making visits around Portland that has created a strong bond between the club and its supporters.

“We want the best for the people that come and support us,” said Head Coach Bobby Murphy, “and we're willing to go into those areas, whether it's schools, hospitals, wherever we can be helpful and be uplifting. And we take that responsibility seriously.”

As part of the segment, GMA host Rhiannon Ally was welcomed by the club’s fans and mascot Moxie the Moose and presented with a Hearts of Pine jersey by Hoffman-Johnson.

Portland’s second season will kick off in March, 2026 as it takes aim at claiming its first USL League One title.