Maine’s Portland Hearts of Pine Are Playoff-Bound in Unforgettable Debut Season

To call this a dream season for Portland Hearts of Pine would be an understatement.

The inaugural season for the brand-new Maine soccer club has officially been extended, following a draw this past weekend that clinched a playoff spot. That’s right—the Hearts are headed to the postseason.

The Portland Hearts of Pine Are Heading to the Playoffs

Portland sits in 7th place as of the publishing of this article. With two games left, the Hearts could potentially move up to the 5th or 6th seed, depending on how things play out. What is certain, however, is that the Hearts will be on the road for their first-round game, as the higher seed hosts.

What a whirlwind of a season it’s been for Portland—one that began all the way back in March in Lewiston with U.S. Open Cup matches, including a stunning win over higher-division Hartford Athletic. Those early games were clearly a sign of things to come, as the Hearts battled hard all year in league play to earn their playoff position.

It Has Been an Amazing First Year for the Portland Hearts of Pine

This is also a team that sold out every home game this season. A team that led the league in average attendance by a wide margin. A team that has sold more merchandise than the GDP of some small countries. A team that has integrated itself into the community as if it’s been here for five decades. It's a masterclass in how to launch a sports franchise the right way.

Of course, it helps that the community was absolutely ready for it. This fanbase was clearly hungry for a professional soccer team. With a season ticket waiting list that rivals the Green Bay Packers’, the future certainly looks bright.

READ MORE: Rage Against the Machine's Tom Morello Supports Maine Soccer Team

Best of luck to the Hearts in the playoffs. We’ll see if this fairy tale season has the ending we’re all hoping for.