Gabe Hoffman-Johnson, Founder of the Hearts of Pine Soccer a Few Years Ago at a City Council Meeting.
Portland Hearts of Pine is launching “Maine Soccer Summer,” a three-event celebration of the world’s game in the heart of Portland. It is intended to bring fans, families, local businesses and community partners together around a shared belief: Maine is one of the best places in the country to watch soccer. All three events are free and open to the public.
The three part series begins Friday, June 12 with a watch party at the State Theater for the USMNT’s first group stage match of the tournament against Paraguay. Hosted in partnership with State Theatre and Portland Downtown, the event will give fans a chane to gather in one of Portland’s most iconic venues to cheer on the US on the world stage. Doors open at 8:00 pm with kickoff set for 9:00 pm.
The second event is set for Friday, June 19, when Hearts and Portland Downtown will bring soccer back to Monument Square for a downtown doubleheader watch party, building on the energy of the 2022 watch party held in the Square. The event begins at 3:00 pm with the US taking on Australia. It will be followed by Hearts of PIne taking on Westchester SC at 7:00 pm.
Soccer fans are encouraged to make a day of it downtown, visiting local restaurants and businesses and coming and going throughout the afternoon and evening. The event will feature summer programming, a beer garden, a Hearts merchandise tent and a pep rally performance by The Valentine Band before the Hearts match kicks off.
The third and final event of Maine Soccer Summer will culminate Sunday, July 19 with Footy Fest, a day of play celebrating the world’s game ahead of the bigger match. Hosted in partnership with Soccer Maine, Kennedy Park FC and Kennedy Park Pickup Soccer, the event will feature multigenerational pickup soccer from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm. It will be facilitated by clubs and soccer organzations from across Maine.
“Maine Soccer Summer is about more than watching matches,” said Shari Levesque, Executive Director of Soccer Maine. “It’s about celebrating the culture that is growing around the game here, from downtown Portland to Kennedy Park to every player, supporter, family and local busines helping build the soccer community in Maine.”
“Maine has proven again and again that it shows up for soccer,” said Hearts of Pine Founder Gabe Hoffman-Johnson. “From packed watch parties to sold out matches at Fitzgerald Stadium, this community has helped make the game feel bigger, louder and more connected here. This programming is about bringing people together around that energy.”
“Go Westchester,” says this blogger. “I grew up in White Plains!”