Local Residents Try Out for Portland Hearts of Pine

Yesterday Maine resident players looked to catch the eye of Bobby Murphy to move on to the open combine.

Head Coach Bobby Murphy cast a wide net looking for any young men in Maine who thought they had what it took to make a pro roster. Some perhaps chasing a dream they may have thought closed in their life.

On a day that saw snow flurries and temperatures struggle to reach the freezing mark, a group of Maine residents applied action to a dream to become a professional soccer player for their home club, the Portland Hearts of Pine. The group of hopeful footballers trained at Falmouth High School under Bobby Murphy’s command in an attempt to earn a spot in the open combine on December 13-15.

USL League One is a good level of soccer that will demand athleticism and soccer IQ. Many USL League One clubs do business with USL Championship, MLS Next Pro, and MLS in terms of loans and transfers to build their rosters. Fringe internationals also find homes on USL League One rosters in 2024.

All in attendance knew making a roster is a long shot, but they showed up to give it a go and played their hearts out.