The Friggin' Soccer Show

Welcome to the new era of Friggin Soccer… bub.The Friggin Soccer Show is the official evolution of the From the Forest to the Tide Podcast, with a renewed focus on the Portland Hearts of Pine and everything happening across Maine soccer.Through our partnership with Bell Street Studio at the Knack Factory in Portland, Maine, and in collaboration with the Dirigo Union, we’re stepping things up with higher-quality production and deeper coverage of the club and its growing community.Just in time for the first game week of the 2026 USL League One season.In this episode we talk about why the show has a new name, what it means for the future of the podcast, and the new partnerships helping us build a home for Maine’s soccer culture.We also break down several new Hearts of Pine signings as the roster continues to take shape:• Adam Armour (DF) – A performance-based signing with experience at Charlotte FC, FC Tulsa, and Charlotte Independence, most recently helping Eintracht Nordhorn earn promotion in Germany.• Ernest Mensah Jr. (DF) – Defender coming through Xavier University and Syracuse.• Diogo Barbosa (MF) – Midfielder joining from Gzira United in the Maltese Premier League.• Matteo Kidd (MF) – Previously with St. Louis City SC 2 in MLS Next Pro, where he worked with Hearts head coach Bobby Murphy.• Tyler Huck (FW) – A potential attacking addition hinted at during the Town Hall - a possible "goal machine."We recap opening weekend results around USL League One, including:Naples 2 – 0 Fort WayneOne Knoxville 3 – 2 WestchesterAC Boise 1 – 0 SarasotaAV Alta 1 – 1 Richmond…and a quick note on Charleston’s 2–1 win over Pittsburgh in the Championship. The crew also shares early thoughts on the upcoming Hearts vs. Cosmos matchup, including Shawn and Don’s appearance on Cosmos Country.Plus:• Early USL League One standings predictions• Discussion around a potential Hearts women’s team town hall• Travel plans for upcoming matches and supporter eventsWe’ll be at the Cosmos opener with post-game content, and we’re planning coverage from the Vermont away match as well.If you’re interested in collaborating with the show, sponsoring content, or helping grow Maine’s soccer media scene, reach out to info@frigginsoccer.com.A Patreon is also coming soon to help support the show and expand what we can produce from the studio.Thanks for watching and supporting Maine soccer.Subscribe, like, and share with a fellow Hearts supporter.

We discuss the latest preseason games and the current roster. Not long to go until the season begins! Up The Hearts! Recorded on 2/15/26

Welcome Hearts fans! The USL has announced the name of its new Division 1, set to begin in 2028 - "USL Premier."Join us to hear our reactions and initial thoughts, and also how we think this affects the Hearts. While USL Premier is set to be the top division in USL, the existing USL Championship (division 2) and USL Leage 1 (division 3) make up the final USL pyramid. Promotion/relegation will also launch in 2028 alongside the introduction of USL Premier. USL Premier and USL Championship plan to be 20 team, national leagues. USL 1 will shift to a regional league - it currently is national. We react to this proposed change as well. Exciting times for the league, the Hearts, and all of U.S. soccer. Up The Hearts!

Hearts fans — welcome back to From the Forest to the Tide from the Studio in Portland, Maine. In this episode, Charles, Rob, Sean, and special guest Chris Linscott — the Dirigo Union’s photographer — go deep on what it was like documenting the Hearts’ inaugural season from the touchline.Chris shares how he went from a break as a working photographer to chasing the Portland Hearts of Pine's story and why the supporter section completely changed what he was shooting as the season evolved. We talk about the cadence of match day, the challenge of capturing all the actions from field level, and what it’s like trying to tell a season-long story with images.We also get into Chris’s favorite moments and matches, the most photogenic Hearts, and the energy that turned the Dirigo Union into something nobody was quite prepared for. Up The Hearts!Chris’s gallery / prints: https://chrislinscott.smugmug.com/Client-GalleriesLink to book: https://www.blurb.com/bookstore/invited/10775707/b55dad5ad7a912de7e9d409cc84bb7268dea7963Phil Jones is the mentioned UTD defender with the funny faces!

We’re kicking off 2026 Wright! Ollie Wright joins us at the Knack Factory studio, providing player insight into many aspects of life as a Hearts player. Join us as we discuss what lies ahead in a packed start to the season—starting with three games in seven days, an early road trips to the Cosmos, a midweek Open Cup match, and the home opener at Fort Fitzy on April 11 vs One Knox. Roster updates, a bit of social-media tea-leaf reading, and our new Lighthouse Kit review.Up The Hearts Baby!

From the Forest to the Tide – Episode 16: Seven Points in Seven DaysWe’re on the rooftop at Bayside Bowl as the Dirigo Union crew — Charles, Mitchell, Rob, and Sean — break down a massive week for Portland Hearts of Pine: seven points in seven days, including the club’s first-ever away win and a confident home performance at Fitzpatrick.In this episode:Titus Washington’s breakout braceKamali Green’s defensive riseOllie’s goal of the seasonMost improved players at the halfway markFavorite moments of the season (so far)A look ahead to Halifax, Richmond, and the playoff raceWhy Fitzpatrick deserves to host a playoff gameCoach’s Corner updates, new tifos, and chants in the worksThis one’s for the Hearts faithful.Subscribe for more episodes of From the Forest to the Tide and join the Dirigo Union community via Discord.Up The Hearts!

Join the Dirigo Union crew as they dive deep into the Hearts of Pine's inaugural USL League One season - after 10 league games played. Topics:Team Performance AnalysisFitzpatrick Stadium MagicPlayer Potential & DevelopmentCoach Bobby Murphy's Strategic VisionHighlights Include:Best home and away game momentsElectrifying stadium atmospherePlayer standout performancesUpcoming matches against AV Alta and TormentaRecorded from an undisclosed location in New Harbor, Maine - this candid conversation offers fans an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the Hearts' journey so far. Subscribe to the Dirigo Union for more Hearts of Pine coverage! Thanks for watching and listening!Up The Hearts!!!

We made it. Our home opener. Years in the making. Charles, Mitchell, Shawn and Sam dive into the events leading up to and during the Hearts of Pine inaugural home match against the last unbeaten side in USL 1, One Knoxville.

New Signings, Open Cup Preview, Season Opener Preview, & USL1 Opening Weekend Recap!We’re back at the Hearts Store for Episode 13 of From the Forest to the Tide! After our trip to Hartford last episode, we’ve got plenty to cover, including new player signings, a recap of Dirigo Union’s latest event at Bunker Brewing, preseason updates, and a look ahead to Hearts of Pine’s first-ever competitive match in the U.S. Open Cup!What’s in This Episode?Dirigo Union Event Recap from March 8 at Bunker Brewing. Surprise visits from Jayden Jones Riley & Evan Southern! chance to learn chants before the season starts! March 19 at Bunker Brewing (6-9PM).Preseason UpdatesRumors of a 2-2 draw vs. Rhode Island FC - Last preseason friendly. Hearts led 2-0 before conceding twice late. Evan Southern bagged a goal and assist. Patrick Langlois scored the second goal. Final preseason match before the season begins.Dirigo Union’s New Post-Match Show! “Post Match Pulse”New live streaming show, day after games to break down Hearts games .New Player Announcements!Masashi Wada (Midfielder, Japan) – J2 League veteran with experience at Yokohama F. Marinos, SC Sagamihara, and Thespa Gunma. Introduced to Hearts of Pine by GK Coach Yuta Nomura.Nathaniel “Natty” James (Midfielder, Trinidad & Tobago) – Former Club Sando standout, Trinidad U-20 star, and scorer of Trinidad & Tobago’s winning goal against Curaçao in Concacaf Nations League. Azaad Liadi (Forward, USA) – On loan from Lexington SC – Has MLS experience with D.C. United, a strong scoring record in USL1 and MLS Next Pro, and is eager to embrace the Hearts’ community culture.Looking Ahead: U.S. Open Cup Match – March 20 vs. CD Faialense (Lewiston, ME) Hearts’ first-ever competitive game! Game will be streamed on YouTube – so all fans can tune in.CD Faialense Players to Watch: Paul Correia – Player-coach with Merrimack College background. Lucas Rezende (GK) – Starting keeper for Merrimack College. Max Krause (M/F) – German-born, 15 goals & 22 assists in NCAA play.Alessandro Arlotti (FWD) – Harvard standout, former Italy U-17 player. USL1 Opening Weekend Recap & Season PreviewLooking Ahead to the USL1 Season Opener – March 29 vs. Naples United Naples will already have three league games played before facing Hearts of Pine.Key Players to Watch from Naples:Matt Poland (Manager) – Previously managed Chicago House; prefers attacking play. Chris Heckenberg (CM) – Solid defensive presence. Lalo Delgado (GK) – One of the best USL1 goalkeepers last season with strong long passing.Jake Dengler (CB) – Dominant in duels, over 300 won in 6,000 minutes.Upcoming EpisodesFrom the Forest to the Tide is now available on The Blazing Musket! Next episode will cover Hearts of Pine’s first-ever competitive match vs. CD Faialense in the U.S. Open Cup on March 20th.We’ll also have content from Florida after the season opener against Naples on March 29th!Like, Subscribe & Share to follow the journey of Maine’s first professional soccer team!

Portland Hearts of Pine took the field, and for the first time, From the Forest to the Tide was there to witness it live! We hit the road to Hartford, Connecticut to watch the Hearts play Hartford Athletic. Final score: 4-0 Hearts! What’s in This Episode? Match Breakdown: • How did Hearts of Pine look in their first-ever action? • Who stood out, and what worked so well against Hartford? • Tactical takeaways and what this performance tells us about the team’s potential. Key Performances: • Standout players from the match. • The attacking firepower that led to a dominant 4-nil win. • Defensive solidity—how Hearts kept a clean sheet in their preseason debut.First Impressions of the Team: • What surprised us the most? • How did the Hearts' style of play compare to expectations? • What does this win mean for the squad heading into their first USL League One season?Please subscribe, like, and share as we continue to cover the journey of Portland Hearts of Pine in their inaugural USL1 season.

Up the Hearts — we’re back in the Portland studio with Charles, Sean, and Rob, and we’re digging into what could be the next big chapter for soccer in Maine: a USL W League team in Portland.We’re joined by Olivia (Dirigo Union member and proud "Dirigal") to talk about the Dirigals crew, why women’s soccer has so much momentum right now, and what’s actually happening behind the scenes in Portland — including the three upcoming town halls (fan, business/community, and youth development).We get into the questions everyone’s already kicking around:What does a “successful” first season look like here?Can Fitzpatrick Stadium realistically handle another team — and what would need to change?Do you keep the Hearts of Pine identity for the women’s team, or build something separate?Why start with the W League instead of jumping straight to the Super League — and what that means for travel, schedules, cost, and roster turnover.We also talk about the women’s soccer community that already exists here, how to get more people into the game (even if you’re brand new), and what supporters culture might look like as this grows — Dirigals, the DU, and the early chatter around a USL W team in Portland. If you’ve been curious about women’s soccer in Portland, this is a good one to jump in on.Link to upcoming Town Halls info - https://www.heartsofpine.com/news/2026/02/04/hearts-announce-womens-team-town-halls/

Rob and Shawn are back to comment on the re-signing of Walter Varela and the signing of young Zion Scarlett. Will the use of Walter Varela change this year with Jaden Jones-Riley back to health and in the Hearts starting lineup? Zion Scarlett a 21 year old, pacy, 6’ 3” Swiss Army knife of a player has been signed to the Hearts of Pine from MLS Next Pro’s Carolina Core. With experience at Right Wing, Left Wing, Wing Back, and a wee bit at Striker, Head Coach Bobby Murphy has plenty of options to use his new player in relief. Rob and Shawn touch up on the two matches that were announced ahead of the full 2026 schedule being released. Portland will travel to Hinchliffe Stadium in Patterson, New Jersey on March 14th to take on the New York Cosmos. The history, the love to hate the Cosmos, and the possible unprecedented Dirigo Union support at Hinchliffe Stadium to take in the match is discussed. On April 11th Hearts of Pine will open up Fitzpatrick Stadium to the double winners of 2026 and defending USL League One Champions One Knoxville. The old Jägermeister Cup match is now called the USL Cup, as Jägermeister is not returning to sponsor the 2026 effort. The group stage is back much to the guys disappointment. Shawn talk’s about the Hearts of Pine’s appearance on Good Morning America and what it looked like behind the scenes at Nonantum Resort in Kennebunkport. The guys round out the podcast with save the dates for upcoming events in January. - Dirigo Union town hall at Bunker Brewing in Portland on January 17th. - Premier League watch party at The June Cork Pub in Dover, NH on January 24th.

Shawn, Rob, and Chaz react to Portland Hearts of Pine’s newest center back, Brecc Evans. One of the best—if not the best—left center backs in the league is coming to Portland. What does that mean for co–Rookie of the Year and fellow left center back Kemali Green? The guys dive into what Evans brings to the table and what Green can learn from him.How does the signing of Brecc Evans shape Head Coach Bobby Murphy’s approach to building out his center backs? We share theories and strategies, and take a few shots at possible signings—both local and international—for the Hearts of Pine’s back line.With two wing backs already on the roster, the crew also floats a few new names, along with one familiar face, to provide depth behind Nathan Messer and Jaden Jones-Riley.Before wrapping up, we throw out a few more names to potentially accompany the Hearts of Pine’s lone striker and co–Rookie of the Year, Titus Washington.Are some of these players on Head Coach Bobby Murphy’s shopping list for 2026? Take a listen, form your opinion, and drop your own player suggestions in the comments.Dirigo Union’s podcast series is a proud member of The Blazing Musket family.

Charles, Shawn, Sam, and Rob discuss the Hearts of Pine Roster update - which players have had their contracts renewed and those that are currently out of contract. It's our longest podcast yet, so kick back and relax. Oh and get ready to buckle up - season 2 is going to be a doozy! UTFH

Charles, Chaz, and Shawn speculate on which Hearts players will stay and which will go following the inaugural season. We'd like to see them all stay but we probably won't be so lucky. Join us for our first post season content.

Charles, Shawn, Sam and Rob sit down to discuss the USL League 1 Semifinal against Spokane Velocity, where Hearts of Pine's inaugural season has come to an end.

The Hearts are headed to the Semifinal in Spokane on Sunday November 9th at 9PM ET

On this absolute monster of a Post Match Pulse, Shawn Fecteau and Rob McLaughlin summarize the AV Alta match that resulted in a draw at Fitzpatrick Stadium, ending AV Alta's season in Maine. Shawn and Rob talk about the rash of free kick goals that have been conceded by the Hearts, and Shawn discusses his understanding of Law 13 in regards to defensive tactics against free kicks. Referee inconsistencies, which is the norm in USL League One, gets the goat of our space efficienatio Masashi Wada in the second half. Getting a yellow card for arguing. This would combine with a second yellow card just a few minutes later that would see Masashi sent off for the first time this year. Shawn talks about his understanding of the USL League One rules in terms of yellow card accumulation and red card suspensions rolling into the playoffs. The Hearts will be without its maestro midfielder Masashi Wada for the Quarter Finals of USL League One Playoffs. The boys then reflect on the regular season record, player stats, and of course Shawn and Rob's own personal high point memories of the season.Shawn's preseason table prediction is laid bare for all to see, and Rob and Shawn have some fun breaking down the wins and losses of Shawn's mid-march crystal ball. Shawn and Rob talk about the Hearts of Pine's first ever playoff match that'll be played this Saturday night in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Shawn unveils his Wada-less starting 11 for the Hearts along with some possible lineup tweaks and tactics that Head Coach Bobby Murphy may decide to act upon this weekend. Shawn and Rob warn us of a cagey defensive first half, with hopes of getting on the score sheet in the second half. Rob and Shawn issue their scoreline prediction, and mention the different venues around the area that you could take in a Hearts of Pine playoff match at. The Portland Zoo, The June Cork Pub, Bissell Brothers Brewery, Allagash Brewing, The Gem Theater are just a few possibilities for Hearts fans to gather and watch the match in like company. An end of season Dirigo Union bash will be near the end of November at The Cellars at Allagash Brewing. Rob and Shawn are hush on their costume collaboration. You can watch the Hearts of Pine Playoff match on ESPN+ this Saturday, November 1st at 7pm EDT. Up The Hearts!

Shawn, Sam, John, and Rob reflect on the record breaking night at Fitzpatrick Stadium when the 7th place Hearts of Pine hosted the 3rd place Spokane Velocity.In what could possibly be a playoff preview in the first round of the 2025 playoffs, the Hearts of Pine battered the Spokane Velocity 6-1.Sam and John discuss the feeling in the stadium, as Rob and Shawn talk about their experience from the couch and watching it on TV. Will 6,300 to 6,400 attendance be the norm in the future for the Hearts of Pine at Fitzpatrick Stadium?Shawn talks about the JayTee/Natty James combination, and how Natty James really needed a match like this one to feel like he can come off the bench and provide for his team. John and Sam debate on if Nathan Messer's goal was a cross or a shot, and Rob talks about Titus's goal and what that does for his confidence going into the playoffs. A brace from Natty James, and goals from Ollie Wright, Nathan Messer, Titus Washington, and JayTee Kamara smothered the Velocity in what some may view as a "get right game" before the playoffs.

The Hearts are in the playoffs after a 2-2 draw vs Westchester at home!