Walter Varela Takes Nothing For Granted While Making History With Portland Hearts of Pine
“I thank God I never gave up. It’s an amazing experience.”
Portland Hearts of Pine head coach Bobby Murphy spoke with Walter Varela two days before the club hosted FC Naples.
“It was just about being effective,” Murphy said of the chat. “You get chances to play, and if you’re in one of those spots up front, you’re either scoring goals or creating goals. If you’re not doing either, then what are we doing?”
Varela, who called the conversation “motivating,” responded by creating a goal and scoring the game-winner to help Hearts collect their first-ever home and league win.
“Can’t argue with that,” Murphy said.
Varela, 29, is among the more experienced players on the Hearts roster. He played in the NPSL, UPSL, and NISA before signing with the Chattanooga Red Wolves of USL League One in 2023.
After one season in Tennessee, the attacker became a free agent. He eventually served as a training player for Rhode Island FC, occasionally participating in friendly matches.
“It was a lot to deal with mentally, but I stayed on my feet,” Varela said. “I stayed true to myself and kept working. I put in the hard work every day.”
Varela contacted teams but found it challenging to secure a contract midseason. As he waited for an opportunity, he coached to make money.
It was challenging, but Varela never doubted himself, even if others did.
“A lot of people thought I was done, but I knew I’d be back next year,” Varela said.
RIFC assistant coach Dave McKay helped facilitate Varela’s next move. After a trial and discussion, Varela signed a contract in April.
“I spoke to his agent and he said you kind of need to light a fire under him at times and be really direct with him,” Murphy said. “He responds to that really well. He’s mature.
“I think he’s one of those players that we have to stay on a little bit to keep that intensity, but he doesn’t mind, he doesn’t pout, when you do it.”
While Varela’s career has had setbacks, he’s grateful for each experience.
“Everything you go through, you learn from it,” Varela said. “It shows me that when I’m in this moment, I shouldn’t take it for granted.”
Varela has already forged many memories with Hearts, having scored their first-ever competitive goal and sealed their first-ever league win.
The first moment came at Lewiston High School when Hearts hosted CD Faialense in the U.S. Open Cup. The second came in front of approximately 5,700 fans at Fitzpatrick Stadium.
Varela views his story as one that can motivate others, saying, “I give all my younger friends advice every day. Just keep working hard. You never know when opportunities come about.”
But Varela knows there’s still much to accomplish individually and collectively.
“I've got to do my best right now and make sure I keep Portland winning games,” Varela said.
While there are certainly more moments to come, opening night in Lewiston and early games at Fitzy are special and should never be forgotten.
“I thank God I never gave up,” Varela said. “It’s an amazing experience.”