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-Galleries

Link 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!

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