Episode two, season two of Up The Hearts – now free to stream on YouTube – highlights Dirigo Union capo Dana Ricker, the Gala for Good, Masashi Wada's injury, and much more.

Here are the four best quotes.

"It's kind of the one spot that I actually really want to be." - Dana Ricker

Ricker has successfully translated her skills as an eighth-grade social studies teacher to help create game-day vibes for Hearts. Her energy heightens the best of moments and pulls the crowd through lulls.

This quote particularly stands out because it's how so many people feel at Hearts games. Fitzpatrick Stadium has become a meeting place for new and old friends. The team has quickly created a community that people yearn for.

Not everyone has a role as prominent as Ricker's, but each person plays a part.

"There's this vision of a values-based, community-connected soccer club that can really contribute towards building a better Maine. And that's what we wanted this club to be." - Gabe Hoffman-Johnson

There are so many ways to measure a successful soccer club. Here, Hoffman-Johnson emphasizes what Portland Hearts of Pine does for the region and state.

Last year, they did over 150 community events. They also sponsored after-school programming at two schools, with two more set to be added in the next year.

The simple interactions on game days – head coach Bobby Murphy asking kids about their grades or players chatting to anyone and everyone after the final whistle – are reminders of what this club offers.

Yes, results matter, but it's not the only measure.

"The Sashi thing kind of threw everybody. Coming back, it's always going to be a little weird, restarting after something like that, not even physically, just emotionally and psychologically. But I thought we coped with it pretty well." - Bobby Murphy

It was difficult to rewatch Wada's injury knowing how important he is to the team and vice versa.

Hearts lost a player who offered nine goals and one assist in 2025. Wada lost a team that reignited his love of the game.

I always go back to this story that Murphy told me: “His mom pulled me when she came to visit from Japan, and in her very best English she could muster, [she said] she was so happy that her son was here. I think that’s the big thing for him, right, is that he’s gotten another chance at his career and to do it in a way that he’s happy playing.”

I'm sure playing at home for the first time in 168 days carried its own weight. To have to keep fighting after Wada went down was a whole new burden.

“Nobody wants to play their best soccer in April.” - Seth Macomber

Is it cheating if I use my own quote?

As I've summarized many times, it's been a difficult year for Hearts, who dealt with a disjointed preseason and a host of injuries.

The team has looked better recently, giving hope that a late push can happen just like last year. Remember, the team was oh so close to playing for a championship in their inaugural season.