PMP from the boys in blue in green discussing the last 3 Hearts of Pine results - A 1-nil win against Texoma, followed up by back to back losses (our first) against Omaha- away and Madison at home. Not our week but there is a play-off place to cement, and the possibility of hosting a play-off game remains. Up the Hearts!
Rob Chappell from Talkin' Flock, the first ever guest of the DU Crossover, is back again talking with Shawn Fecteau about their matchup on October 4th at Fitzpatrick Stadium at 5pm edt. Rob and Shawn reminisce about their last matchup on May 24th, when the Hearts of Pine visited the Mingos at Breese Stevens Field.Rob brings us up to speed on the season for the Mingos since the last time we saw them. The players that have been signed, the draws that have been recorded, and the defensive style of play and passing that Forward Madison is known for. Shawn talks about the 1-0 loss to Union Omaha on the day of recording, and the absence of Hearts Head Coach Bobby Murphy on the day due to illness. Is there a flu running through the Hearts locker room a month before the playoffs, or is it just a massive rotation mid week to try and breathe some life into those legs for the matchup against Forward Madison?Rob asks Shawn about the Hearts season so far this year, and Shawn talks about the hard work, good people, luck, and humility that has gone into this season for both the Hearts of Pine and the Dirigo Union. A Dirigo Union supporters group that now has over 800 paying members in their first year. Rob shares about the women's team that will be playing in 2026, and Shawn shares that Hearts of Pine owner Gabe Hoffman-Johnson shared that a women's team is also a plan for Portland one day. The guys roll into the match-up starting 11, score predictions, and what each team is trying to get out of this matchup.
Tim Howerton joins Shawn Fecteau to talk about the mid week “6 pointer” tilt between #6 Union Omaha hosting #5 Hearts of Pine at Werner Field, October 1st at High Noon central time.Both clubs have dreams off hosting a playoff match this year, and this matchup will have a big say in each club accomplishing those dreams. The Hearts could stomach a draw and still realistically earn a home playoff match, but for the two time and defending USL League One Champions Union Omaha, it’s an absolutely mush have 3 points. Shawn and Tim rake over the coals of the last matchup in Fitzpatrick Stadium that saw Ollie Wright explode offensively for a second half hat-trick that would see the Hearts to a 3-1 scoreline at Fitzpatrick Stadium. The guys look over the standings with just a hand-full of matches remaining in the 2025 USL League One regular season. Estimated season ending spots in the table are discussed, along with possible playoff matchups. Shawn talks about his concern with the leggy Hearts side that imposed their will on a Texoma FC side to earn 3 points at home. Texoma FC being the first of 3 teams this week that the Hearts will have faced. Will Head Coach Bobby Murphy make the right choices to place an energy filled starting 11 that can earn a result against the defending Champions deep into the regular season? Starting 11’s are selected, tactics are discussed, and the heavy sighs and gritted teeth eventually land on a score prediction. The Dirigo Union is proud to be a part of The Blazing Musket family.
On this episode of DU Crossover, Shawn talks with Derek Reid of Texoma FC Supporters group.We find out that Shawn, Derek, and Charles made a podcast back in July that never aired due to Shawn’s greenhorn error that he shared with us. Derek shares the story of how the Texoma FC Supporters group “fought their way to friendship,” a possible SG name change, two pole banner creations, and smoke choking experiences at Bearcat Stadium. After hosting the Rocking Wrestling radio show, Derek was surprised to see people still in the stands braving the elements and late start.Derek and Shawn reminisce of the 1-0 Hearts win back on July 12th, when the Hearts traveled to Sherman,TX to square off against Texoma FC for the first time at Bearcat Stadium. Derek shares the reasons why Texoma FC has fallen from a strong mid season form to their current position outside the top 8 and a playoff berth. Shawn share’s the success of the Hearts of Pine with Derek, and their new found control of 4th place over FC Naples. Shawn quizzes Derek on the rumors of Texoma FC moving a county south from Sherman, Texas next year and gets some first hand facts from Derek. Derek shares that the Texoma FC Supporters Group are trying to model themselves after the Dirigo Union SG. The boys get into the matchup between Texoma and the Hearts of Pine. Derek volunteers that the Texoma defender Reid Valentine has got to be a relation to the famous wrestling Von Erich family. Shawn and Derek share their lineups and scoreline predictions. Hearts of Pine will host Texoma FC Saturday, September 27th at “Fort Fitzy.” Kickoff is at 5pm EST and you can find it streaming on ESPN+.
Coach’s Corner – Episode 4 | A Night to RememberRecorded live at $3 Dewey’s in Portland, MaineIn this episode of Coach’s Corner, Charles and Mitchell sit down with Head Coach Bobby Murphy and starting center back Kamali Green to break down one of the most significant results of the season: a hard-fought 1-0 win over FC Naples in front of a record crowd of 5,862 at Fitzpatrick Stadium.With playoff implications on the line, the Hearts delivered their first-ever 1-0 win at home, moving back into fifth place and narrowing the gap with fourth-place Naples while holding two games in hand.What’s in the episode:- Ollie Wright’s match-winning penalty and leadership in the final third- Kamali’s view from the backline and defensive chemistry on the night- Bobby Murphy on tactics, rotations, and what this win says about the squad- The importance of earning 3 points at home, and how it shapes the playoff picture- A conversation about resilience, role players, and locker room mentalityThis episode is equal parts reflection and momentum check as Hearts of Pine gear up for the final push of the regular season.Subscribe for match breakdowns, behind-the-scenes access, and all things Hearts of Pine.Up the Hearts.
In this DU Crossover Shawn talks with Alex Ashton of USL League One Updater and co-host on the USL Show (@theuslshow).Shawn and Alex cover a few of the details from the 0-0 draw on the August 9th match at Fitzpatrick Stadium. Alex talks about his away day experience at Fitzpatrick Stadium. The sights, the sounds, the food, and the total experience of an away day at Fort Fitzy. Alex and Shawn bring us up to date on the last month and a half summary of both teams since they met last in August.Alex shares some details of expansion clubs for next year, odds for current clubs playoff chances, the Henny Derby, approximate number of players that traditionally move up to championship each year, and much much more.Shawn and Alex wrap it up with a match day breakdown of Hearts of Pine traveling to City Stadium to face Richmond Kickers September 17th at 6:30pm.The Dirigo Union watch party for this match is at Bissell Brothers Brewery at 38 Resurgam PI in Portland, ME. A big thank-you to Alex Ashton for all of his help assisting in reaching contacts for this DU Crossover series! USL League One team's magic numbers provided by John Morrisey:Race to the 2025 USL League One Playoffs - Week 28Henny Derby article referenced in the podcast:The Henny Derby: Where Rivalry Meets Revolution
The Dirigo Union is back with another Crossover Episode, this time with Andrew Phillips from the Reedy River Riot, supporters of the Greenville Triumph.Andrew takes us inside the origins of the Riot, their role in Greenville’s soccer community, and what it’s like running a supporters group day-to-day—including what matchdays look like in the Upstate. We compare notes on the Hearts of Pine’s slow, community-driven build in Portland, how both clubs secured their stadium situations, and the importance of local ownership in shaping authentic lower-league soccer culture.The conversation also digs into Greenville’s season so far, the challenges of balancing a playoff push with a deep cup run, and standout players to watch. We preview Wednesday night’s big USL League One matchup as the Hearts travel to Greenville for the return fixture, with playoff implications for both clubs. Expect discussion of playing styles—Portland’s pressing and physicality vs Greenville’s possession-heavy approach—the role of veteran leaders, and who might step up when it matters most.We also touch on supporter culture across USL League One, the growing importance of SGs in building atmosphere, and what pro/rel and league expansion could mean for the future of American soccer.Watch Hearts of Pine @ Greenville Triumph live on ESPN+ – Wednesday, Sept. 3 at 7PM.
Mitchell, John, Sam and Peter discuss the thrilling 4-2 victory over Charlotte Independence.
The Dirigo Union crew is back with another Post Match Pulse, breaking down a big night for the Portland Hearts of Pine. Sam, Sean, John, and Rob recap the 3-2 road victory over Westchester SC, a result that gives the Hearts their second away win of the season. The discussion covers the turning points, standout performances, and what this result means for the playoff race. The guys also dig into Sega Coulibaly’s defensive dominance, Ollie Wright’s magic touch, Nathan Messer’s rollercoaster night, and the impact of depth players like Walter Varela and Jay Tee Kamara.Looking ahead, the conversation shifts to the Hearts’ crucial upcoming home clash with the Charlotte Independence at Fitzpatrick Stadium, where playoff hopes will be on the line.Join us as we analyze the action, share laughs, and look forward to what’s next. Up the Hearts!
Shawn meets up with Angel, a founder and General of the 914th Infantry - the supporters group (sg) for Westchester SC. Angel talks to Shawn about having to hit the ground running with the quick start of nine months for both the club and the sg before the start of the USL League One season.Shawn and Angel runs over the summary of each club to date, and dive into the matchup of currently 14th Westchester SC hosting 9th Portland Hearts of Pine Sunday, August 24th at 4pm on ESPN+.
Shawn meets up with Jaime Bartlett, a founder of the 509 Syndicate, an educator, and a woman’s soccer connoisseur. Jaime talks to Shawn about the 509 Syndicate SG structure and the stresses and strains on supporting two clubs from one SG, and what the SG would do differently if starting over to better support two clubs. We get a summary of the Spokane Zephyr from year one, an overview of the USL Super League schedule and playoff structure. We also get a feel for a currently coachless Zephyr side that will be kicking off season 2 shortly. Both wish each other good luck for the remainder of the season….but not this weekend. 😉
The DU Post Match Pulse goes International, and talks with Dave Finlayson of Down the Pub Podcast (IG & YouTube - @downthepubpodcast) about the Hearts of Pine vs Halifax Wanderers FC "friendly" that took place on August 6th at Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland, ME. The gents talk about the match, the players, the pitch, and the atmosphere on the night. They then go on to talk about the Canadian Football League (CPL), the history and construction of Wanderers Grounds Stadium, CPL clubs hurdles and heights, and perhaps what the future could look like considering the CPL and the USL.
In this DU Crossover episode, Shawn talks with one of the founders of USL League One podcasting, SG member of the Red Army, and one of the overall great characters of the USL League One landscape Elliot "Yogi" Barr. Yogi and Shawn share some perspective and history on USL League One refs, fields, tifos, and their respective SGs.The guys brief out the highs, lows, risks, and rewards of their clubs so far this year. Titus Washington's brace, the Hearts and the Kickers defensive issues, the Kickers winning drought, and a pivotal run of matches in front of Richmond Kickers that includes the match against Hearts of Pine on Saturday August 9th at 5pm est.Dirigo Union members, Red Army members, and soccer supporters of all walks of life will thoroughly enjoy this fun and informative podcast covering the run up to Hearts of Pine vs Richmond Kickers. You can catch all the action on ESPN+. Watch more of Yogi Barr on his podcasts @Rivercity93 and @Walkin90.
Welcome back to Coach’s Corner, presented by the Dirigo Union, live from $3 Dewey’s in Portland, Maine!In Episode 3, hosts Charles and Mitchell are joined by Hearts of Pine head coach Bobby Murphy and a very special guest — Mark Watson, Senior Football Strategy Advisor for Canadian Premier League side Halifax Wanderers and one of the most capped players in Canadian national team history, ahead of Portland's first-ever international friendly against Halifax at Fitzpatrick Stadium. Topics of discussion:Bobby and Mark’s history coaching together.The significance of this cross-border matchup.What makes a friendly competitive and meaningful?How both clubs are building culture, youth development, and future rivalry.Mark’s experience playing in Europe and facing legends like Romário and Ronaldo (R9).A surprise trivia face-off — who knows their soccer history (and Maine puffins) best?We also discuss the state of lower-division soccer in North America, how pro/rel could shape the game, and what fans should expect from a midseason friendly with plenty on the line for fringe players and young talent.Don’t miss this special international edition ahead of Hearts of Pine vs. Halifax Wanderers at Fitzpatrick Stadium.Game Night: WednesdayLocation: Fitzpatrick Stadium, Portland, MEHearts of Pine vs. Halifax WanderersUp the Hearts. North Atlantic Derby incoming!
Coach’s Corner is back. Episode 2 was recorded live at $3 Dewey’s in Portland, Maine on July 15, and brought to you by the Dirigo Union, $3 Dewey’s, and your Portland Hearts of Pine.This time around, we sat down with Head Coach Bobby Murphy and veteran forward Jake Keegan for a deeper dive into tactics, team culture, and what lies ahead in League One play.What’s inside this episode:- How the team stayed locked in through a 3+ hour delay in Texoma- Bobby’s thoughts on purposeful possession, halftime talks, and tactical evolution- Jake’s take on pressing as a forward, squad chemistry, and life in Portland- How Footwork Academy is connecting Hearts of Pine to local youth- Preview of the massive home match vs Greenville — and how the team is preparing- Your favorite segment: From the Stands Q&A with live fan questions- Bonus Trivia Round!Question of the Week winner takes home a USL League One match ball signed by the Hearts of Pine squad — want to win next time? Attend the next Coach's Corner and get your question heard! Next Coach’s Corner is Tuesday, August 5 — same place, same time! (Dewey's at 6 PM)See you tonight at Fitzpatrick Stadium as the Hearts take on Greenville Triumph. Get loud. Be proud. Up the Hearts!
In this special DU Crossover episode, Sean sits down with Tim Vacek from The Scruffs, the passionate supporters group for One Knoxville SC, ahead of a highly anticipated two-game clash with the Portland Hearts of Pine.Get to know the backstory of The Scruffs, Knoxville’s community-first SG proudly representing the “Scruffy City.” Tim shares the origins of the name, how the group has grown since 2022, their deep involvement with youth soccer scholarships, block party matchdays in the Old City, and what makes their matchday march one of the most electric in USL League One.We also dive deep into both clubs' current form, their season summaries so far, and the challenges and triumphs each SG has faced on and off the pitch. Tim and Sean break down likely starting XIs, highlight key players (including fan-favorites like Campus, Stavros Zarokostas, and Titus Washington), and trade predictions for what promises to be a gritty, physical matchup under the Tennessee heat.Whether you're part of the Dirigo Union in Maine or a Scruff in Tennessee, this episode is packed with the community spirit, banter, and football insight that make USL special.August 2 – One Knoxville SC vs. Portland Hearts of PineWatch live on ESPN+
From the Forest to the Tide: The Yinzers Taste DefeatThe Hearts of Pine took down USL Championship side Pittsburgh Riverhounds in dramatic fashion — and we break it all down in this special episode of From the Forest to the Tide, recorded in Portland with special guest Phil Baki from The USL Show.We relive the Friday night magic at Fort Fitzy: from going down to 10 men in the 29th minute, to a gritty two-goal performance and an electric penalty shootout win. Phil shares his first impressions of Portland, the Hearts’ matchday experience, and why the Hearts are currently providing one the best soccer experiences in America.Watch now for insight, laughs, and maybe a few goosebumps. Up the Hearts.
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!
Podcast Episode Description – The Crossover: Episode 6Welcome to The Crossover, brought to you by the Dirigo Union. In this episode, we preview Hearts of Pine’s upcoming away match against Charlotte Independence with special guest Luke from the Queen City Soccer Show and the Mecklenburg Reserves, Charlotte’s supporters group.We dive deep into:The unique histories and supporter cultures of both clubsWhat makes Charlotte’s American Legion Memorial Stadium a special place to watch a matchCharlotte’s surprising success despite major roster turnoverHow the Hearts are building something authentic and community-driven in year oneKey players to watch, from Christian Chaney and Clay Dimick to Titus Washington, Musashi Wada, and Nathan MesserPredictions, tactics, youth development, promotion/relegation, and the future of lower-league soccer in the U.S.This one’s packed with insight, perspective, and a lot of mutual respect between supporters who care deeply about growing the game at the grassroots level.Catch the match this Saturday, July 19 at 7PM ET on ESPN+.Follow our guest:@LevelUpLuke@QCS_Pod (Queen City Soccer Show)@MeckReserves (Supporters Group)Support the Dirigo Union and the Hearts of Pine by subscribing and sharing this show.UP THE HEARTS.
Mitchell, Sam, and Tabor review the incredible Portland Hearts of Pine 3-1 win over Greenville Triumph SC at Fort Fitzy on July 16, 2025. WHAT A DAY!!!