What do fans want from a potential new Hearts of Pine stadium?
Portland, Maine – Hearts of Pine turned a sold‑out Fitzpatrick Stadium into a celebration of community and ambition Wednesday night, playing to a 1‑1 draw against CT United while unveiling plans for a new stadium that could reshape the city’s West End.
The friendly, which drew 6,403 fans—well above the stadium’s usual capacity of about 6,000—provided the backdrop for a dual announcement. The club, barely two years old, said it intends to build a 9,000‑ to 11,000‑seat venue at Cassidy Point, a waterfront parcel on the Fore River, with a target opening in 2029 if all goes according to schedule.
“Excited. The fact that we’re here less than two years into playing soccer is a feat in itself,” said Mitchell Ketchen, co‑chair of the supporters group Dirigo Union, echoing a sentiment shared by many in the crowd.
The team has opened a dedicated email address—feedback@heartsofpine.com—to collect fan ideas on the project, emphasizing that community input will guide the design process. Officials stressed that the new stadium is still in the early planning stages and that engineers, city planners, and residents will all have a voice before any ground is broken.
The proposal comes as Hearts of Pine enjoy rapid growth in both attendance and fan engagement. While Fitzpatrick Stadium offers an intimate setting, its size limits the number of supporters who can attend each match. The larger venue would allow more fans across Maine to experience games locally, a point not lost on those who have traveled to larger markets for professional soccer.
“It’s easier to get Revolution tickets than to come here,” said Jesse Reich, who traveled from Gray to watch his son enjoy the pre‑game Kids Zone. “A bigger stadium could give more families a chance to see a game without driving to Massachusetts.”
Reich’s observation reflects a broader desire among fans for a venue that balances expanded capacity with the inclusive atmosphere that has defined Hearts of Pine’s early success. The Kids Zone—an inflatable pitch where children like Asher Kasal, 8, spent the early evening kicking around with peers—was repeatedly cited as a must‑keep feature.
“I would not want to lose this,” said Ari Kasal of Sebago, who arrived more than two hours before kickoff to watch his son. “It’s a culture. It’s a community.”
Supporters groups such as Dirigo Union have already begun outlining what they want from a new home. Ketchen said the ideal design would place the most vocal fans behind one of the nets, allowing the group to lift the home goalkeeper in the first half and then direct a relentless chorus at the opposing keeper after the break. He also advocated for steeper seating rows so that hand‑made signs and banners remain visible from the field.
“I just want it to be a special place that stands out with the city’s other venues,” Ketchen added. “We love our sports, and we love our community.”
While many fans are enthusiastic, others have raised cautious notes. Some worry that a stadium built on the working waterfront could squeeze out maritime businesses that have long called the Fore River area home. The team has said it will work with city officials to ensure the development respects the existing industrial fabric.
The proposed site at Cassidy Point currently sits largely vacant, save for a large coal pile that has become a local landmark. If the project moves forward, that pile would be removed to make way for the new facility.
Portland’s experience with large‑scale venue upgrades offers both a cautionary tale and a hopeful precedent. The Cross Insurance Arena underwent extensive renovations only to see the Portland Pirates hockey franchise relocate in 2016; two years later, the Maine Mariners moved in, restoring regular sports programming. Hearts of Pine officials have referenced that history as they stress the importance of building a venue that can adapt to changing demand.
The club’s leadership has made clear that the new stadium is not just about numbers. It’s about creating a destination that reflects the team’s identity—a place where the familiar “Heart Beat of the Pine” chant can echo louder, where families can gather in a safe, kid‑friendly environment, and where the passion of the supporters can be felt by every player on the pitch.
For now, fans can voice their thoughts via the new feedback email and at upcoming public meetings that the team plans to schedule throughout the fall. The first concrete designs are expected to be released in early 2027, followed by a formal city review process.
If the timeline holds, the 2029 season could mark the start of a new chapter for Hearts of Pine—and for Portland’s evolving sports landscape. As the sun set over Fitzpatrick Stadium on Wednesday, the crowd’s energy made one thing clear: the heartbeat of the Pine is strong, and the community wants it to keep beating louder than ever.
