Portland Hearts of Pine have been granted a USL W League franchise, which is set to kick off in May 2027.
Today's announcement was the result of careful planning, including Town Halls to gather community input. Feedback revealed a deep love for the Hearts of Pine identity, as well as a desire to give the women's team its own personality.
The yet-to-be-named club is set to compete in the league's Northeast Division, which includes Vermont Green FC and Hartford Athletic. A full list of opponents will be confirmed at a later date.
USLW Maine plans to play home games at Fitzpatrick Stadium, pending Portland City Council approval of an amendment to the club’s lease agreement. Matchdays are expected to mirror what's currently seen at Fitzy: A community-first atmosphere where all are welcome.
More information regarding team identity, technical staff, player identification, ticketing, and community programming will be shared in the months to come.
“The announcement of a USL W team is an incredible step for women’s sports in Maine,” said Hannah Sirois, Vice President of Fan Experience for Hearts of Pine. “This is about living our values, expanding access to the sport and the matchday experience we've built, and giving girls across Maine the chance to see themselves on the field. We believe Maine can be a leader in the growth of women’s soccer, not just part of it.”
USL W is a pre-professional league that runs from May through July, a schedule designed around the college calendar. Athletes can play at a high level during the summer while maintaining their NCAA eligibility.
“We are so thrilled to be taking this step in growing the game here in Maine,” said Gabe Hoffman-Johnson, Hearts of Pine’s Founder and Chief Community Officer. “Having a women’s team has been part of the plan since day one. The community has been asking for this, and we are excited to make it official. Maine is ready for this moment. This is about creating new ways for Mainers to connect with the sport, new pathways for players to develop, and more opportunities for women and girls across the state to see themselves represented on the pitch.”
The club expects the inaugural season to include approximately six home matches. Season ticket deposits go on sale Thursday, June 11, at 12 PM ET at tickets.uslwmaine.com. Season tickets are expected to start at $90 per seat ($15 per game). More details are to come.
For more information about USLW Maine, visit uslwmaine.com
