Serigne Mbacke Faye already sees something special in Portland Hearts of Pine, despite having only been with the club for a short time.
The 24-year-old center back arrived recently after playing in the Bulgarian first and second divisions. Here, he struggled to get paid.
"It's not normal to play for a team that cannot pay," Faye said. "It's hard."
The move to Portland interested him not only for its stability but also for the project.
He saw a dedicated fan base that wants to make home games as hostile as possible, a good coach who cares about his players, and a team that's itching to win a championship.
The former Senegalese youth international was intrigued.
"The Portland project is good for me, for my future," Faye said.
Faye immediately felt part of the community upon his arrival, which was delayed due to the visa process. He noted that everyone has been so welcoming since day one.
"It's not just a team, it's a family," Faye said. "My first day here is special for me. I've never seen that in my life."
He got his first taste of Hearts soccer on Tuesday, starting alongside Kemali Green in Hearts' 1-0 loss to Vermont Green FC in the U.S. Open Cup. Faye expressed disappointment in the result, but also believes that good things are on the horizon.
Personally, he noted that he only had a handful of training sessions before the game, saying, "I'm not 100%. It's my first week with the team. Maybe in two to three weeks, you will see my best level."
As a team, he believes Hearts can lift some silverware after being so close last year.
"We're going to win something," Faye said.
Tuesday also marked his first interaction with Hearts supporters. He was impressed by how many traveled to Burlington, especially since many had traveled to New Jersey just three days earlier.
"Thank you to the fans," Faye said. "Thank you for the support. We need them. We need them every game."
