Portland Hearts of Pine Sign Two Veterans

Hearts sign some experience in Sean Vinberg and Walter Varela

The Portland Hearts of Pine announced two additional signings ahead of their inaugural campaign as Sean Vinberg and Walter Varela joined the roster.

Vinberg is a 30-year-old 6’1” center back who played the last few months of last year’s USL League One season with Central Valley Fuego. The New York native had a nice run of form in his last four matches with the Fuego. The club went 2-2 down the stretch, but Vinberg played well and scored the only goal against Spokane Velocity.

Varela is a 28-year-old 5’ 9” winger from Praia, Cape Verde. He did not play with a club in 2024 but last played for Chattanooga Red Wolves in 2023. At Chattanooga, Varela played on either the left or right side of a 4-4-2 midfield.

The winger has four goals and four assists in 43 matches spread across his NISA and USL League One career. Varela will give head coach Bobby Murphy an experienced winger to rotate into his front line of Evan Southern and Titus Washington.

Murphy’s roster now sits at a healthy 19 players signed. The preseason is well underway, and a few matches have already been played behind closed doors. Soon the Hearts will get on a plane and head to Florida and the Bahamas for more preseason matches.

Is Murphy happy with his team or does the Hearts of Pine Head Coach have one or two more pieces to add?