In the second half of my conversation with Gabe Hoffman-Johnson, founder of Hearts of Pine, we explore the deeper story of how Maine’s first professional soccer club became a symbol of connection, identity, and shared purpose throughout the state.

Gabe reflects on how Hearts of Pine continues to be built “from the inside out,” grounded in community input, Maine values, and a belief that soccer can serve as a common language—one that connects generations, cultures, and counties.

We discuss the thoughtful intentionality behind the club’s culture, including the importance of recruiting “good people,” how team dynamics mirror Maine’s ethos of humility and hard work, and why fans from all 16 counties have gravitated toward the club with such extraordinary enthusiasm.

The heart of this episode is Gabe’s moving account of how the club found its name: a fusion of the Valentine Bandit’s decades-long tradition of anonymous kindness in Portland and Maine’s identity as the Pine Tree State, symbolized by the strength and resilience of the heartwood at the center of a pine.

We also talk about what elegance means to Gabe—his reflection on the “lack of pretension,” the ease of living, and the ability to experience world-class food, nature, and community all within minutes of one another. His answer offers a uniquely Maine definition of elegance: grounded, authentic, and deeply connected to place.

💬 Key Themes

The culture behind Hearts of Pine: why the club values character as deeply as skill, and how team identity reflects Maine’s work ethic and humility.

Fan magic: why every home match feels like a festival, and how the club has become a “third space” for Mainers seeking belonging and connection.

The story behind the name:

The legacy of the Valentine Bandit

The symbolism of Maine’s pine forests and the strength of the heartwood

How Hearts of Pine captures hope, resilience, and generosity—core Maine traits

Elegance in Maine: Gabe’s definition rooted in authenticity, openness, natural beauty, and “the way life should be.”

A vision for the future: expanding the club, building a larger stadium, adding a women’s team, and becoming one of the top lower-division soccer clubs in the country.

Episode Links

Hearts of Pine (USL1) – https://www.heartsofpine.com

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