In 2025, the United Soccer League has some good news – a new team is coming to town, playing in the USL League One. Gabe Hoffman-Johnson, the head of USL to Portland, a non-profit group pushing for a soccer team since 2019, is leading the charge. Hoffman-Johnson, a local and former soccer star, is no stranger to the game, having been an All-American at Falmouth High School and playing at Dartmouth College before a year stint with the now-defunct USL St. Louis team.
The move is not just about kicks and goals; it’s expected to bring in over $10 million in taxes and create 50 new jobs, according to the USL. After some discussions between the league and the city, the team has verbally agreed to make Fitzpatrick Stadium their home ground. They’re planning to be good neighbors, not disrupting students or the public who already use the stadium. The team is also ready to foot the bill for upgrades, like adding locker rooms, fixing up the press box, and making other cosmetic changes to Fitzpatrick Stadium.
The team, which has still yet to be named, has financial support from locals like Lewiston native and NESN sports broadcaster Tom Caron, and Jonathan Culley, a Portland property developer and his wife. Once city council officially gives the thumbs up, Hoffman-Johnson thinks the team can hit the pitch in spring 2025.