Landon Donovan: Portland Hearts of Pine "Pushing And Creating Competition Up The Pyramid"
"What you maybe don’t realize is you’re actually pushing and creating competition up the pyramid by doing a phenomenal job in your city because people like me are paying attention."
There’s something special happening in Maine, according to Major League Soccer and U.S. Men’s National Team legend Landon Donovan.
The first-year USL League One club caught national—and international—attention with their sharp jerseys, aggressive play, and community-based initiatives.
It’s why Donovan traveled to the northeasternmost part of the United States to participate in the launch of the Lighthouse Kit, which takes design cues from the infamous USMNT “Waldo” jersey.
“What you maybe don’t realize is you’re actually pushing and creating competition up the pyramid by doing a phenomenal job in your city because people like me are paying attention,” Donovan told Hearts. “Other clubs pay attention, and they go, ‘Damn, I want to be that.’ And I’m talking even MLS clubs.”
Donovan doesn’t mean any disrespect to MLS, a league he played in from 2001 to 2014 and again in 2016. The top division in the United States has seen incredible growth over its 30-year history. The league is now home to numerous stars and regularly draws large crowds.
But the attacker has enjoyed seeing the burgeoning lower leagues, something he witnessed firsthand while part of the San Diego Loyal.
“I love MLS, I was part of MLS my whole life,” Donovan explained. “MLS got big fast and understandably more corporate, more business, and that’s been great for the growth of the game.
“But at my core, I love clubs like Portland, like San Diego Loyal. Very community-driven because if not, you’ll fail.”
The 18 sold-out games at Fitzpatrick Stadium only tell part of the story. The club is woven into everyday life through its community events (150 in 2025) and the Hearts gear seen at every turn.
“It’s crazy that we sell out every game and the atmosphere is as electric as it is,” Captain Mikey Lopez explained. “I’ve said this multiple times, I think it’s probably top 10 in the country, at any level, and I think that’s conservative.
“It’s just really intimate, and the atmosphere and the people are going at it all 95 minutes. They’re just really bought in. The passion is there.”
Hearts’ second season begins on March 14 when they travel to face the New York Cosmos. The club will return to “Fort Fitzy” on April 11 when One Knoxville, the defending USL League One champions, come to town.