Next up in 5
Example video title will go here for this video
Next up in 5
Example video title will go here for this video
FALMOUTH, Maine — The dream of playing professional soccer in Maine took one step closer to becoming a reality for athletes as the Portland Hearts of Pine begins to assemble its roster.
About 100 soccer players from across the state met in Falmouth on Saturday for the first day of tryouts for the team, taking part in drills and scrimmages. They were divided into three groups on the field.
This first session was reserved for Maine residents, which was a deliberate choice by the team to keep things local.
RELATED: Portland Hearts of Pine release first jersey design
“Being intentional about how we provide opportunities and how we give back is very much a part of who we are,” team founder Gabe Hoffman-Johnson said. “A lot of it comes down to how we want to play, the specific characteristics we’re looking for, and who the people are.”
According to its team website, The Hearts of Pine’s mission to foster local talent reflects a larger vision of bringing professional soccer to Portland while staying connected to Maine’s culture and values.
RELATED: Portland Hearts of Pine names head coach to lead Maine’s new professional soccer team
Only a select number of players from Saturday’s tryout will move on to the open tryouts, scheduled for Dec. 13, allowing local players to compete alongside a broader talent pool of athletes.
“It’s just one more brick in the pathway to March when we start,” Head Coach Bobby Murphy said. “It’s just one more milestone that I think we can all be proud of.”
RELATED: Portland Hearts of Pine continues multimillion-dollar stadium upgrades
Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings.
