Maine Day of Soccer

WHEREAS, since their founding, the Hearts of Pine have brought together soccer fans new and old from across Maine to join in a love for the game, community and our state; and

WHEREAS, the Hearts have been a remarkable success on and off the field, reaching the semifinals of the playoffs in their inaugural season, selling out over 30 consecutive games at Fitzpatrick Stadium, and attracting fans from in and out of Maine to Portland for the experience; and

WHEREAS, the USL W League is a pre-professional women’s soccer league that brings high level college-eligible athletes together for a summer season running from May-July; and

WHEREAS, women in sports deserve greater visibility and opportunity, and Maine people are ready for a women’s team that reflects the talent, ambition, and spirit that already exists across this state; and

WHEREAS, in town halls, community gatherings, virtual discussions, and one-on-one conversations, Maine people have demonstrated their excitement for bringing a women’s team to Portland; and

WHEREAS, 5,000 season tickets were sold out in just one hour, further representing the energy already behind the team; and

WHEREAS, we eagerly await the start of the 2027 season to welcome our new USL W team home;

NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved that I, Janet T. Mills, Governor of the State of Maine, do hereby proclaim October 15, 2026 as

throughout the state, and I urge all residents to give a warm welcome to our new USL W franchise in Maine.

In testimony whereof, I have caused

the Great Seal of the State to be

hereunto affixed GIVEN under my

hand at Augusta this eighth day of

October Two Thousand Twenty-Six