Gabe Hoffman-Johnson
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 27, 1991 St. Louis, Missouri, United States |
| Sport | |
| Country |  United States |
| Sport | Soccer |
| College team | Dartmouth College |
| Team | Portland Hearts of Pine (Founder) |
Gabe Hoffman-Johnson is an American former soccer player and the founder of the USL League One franchise, Portland Hearts of Pine.
Playing career
Hoffman-Johnson lived in St. Louis, Missouri until middle school, when his family relocated to Falmouth, Maine.[1] At Falmouth High School, Hoffman-Johnson was an All-State soccer player all four years and twice earned All-American honors. He led Falmouth to three Maine State Championships in his career before graduating in 2010.[2]
Hoffman-Johnson attended Dartmouth College, where he played primarily as a defenseman for the Big Green. He earned All-Ivy League and All-East Region recognition as a senior.[2]
In 2015, Hoffman-Johnson signed a professional contract with Saint Louis FC of the USL Championship league. Due to back and hip injuries, he never appeared in a game for the club.[1][3]
Business career
Following the conclusion of his soccer career, Hoffman-Johnson spent two years in New York City working for a private equity firm. He was looking for a way out of the finance sector when the United Soccer League announced plans for a new third-tier pro soccer league targeting markets like Portland, Maine.[4][5]
Hoffman-Johnson returned to Maine in 2019 and began a six-year process of establishing a new soccer franchise. He partnered with sports broadcaster and Maine native, Tom Caron, as well as Portland real estate developers Jonathan and Catherine Culley to secure financing.[1]
Hoffman-Johnson worked through a series of roadblocks securing a suitable stadium, until the city of Portland and USL approved the use of Fitzpatrick Stadium despite it being narrower than regulation size.[1] On September 7, 2023, USL League One officially awarded Portland the new franchise.[6]
In 2024, the franchise became the Portland Hearts of Pine. The club began USL League One play on March 20, 2025[7] and played its first game at Fitzpatrick Stadium in front of a sold-out crowd on May 4, 2025.[8]
Hoffman-Johnson is the 2025 Commencement Speaker at Southern Maine Community College.[9]
Personal
Hoffman-Johnson lives in Portland, Maine. His grandfather, Seth Johnson, played professional baseball for the Boston Braves.[2]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Craig, Steve (2025-03-27). "It took 6 years to get from dream to reality. Now the Hearts are ready to kick off". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Gabe Hoffman-Johnson". Dartmouth Big Green. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
- ↑ "Gabe Hoffman-Johnson". ESPN. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
- ↑ Greenway, Tim (2024-10-07). "40 Under 40: Gabe Hoffman-Johnson is a former player bringing pro soccer to Maine". Maine Biz. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
- ↑ Hindle, Tom (2025-02-03). "'Mostly Maine, partially Brooklyn' - How USL's Portland Hearts of Pine conceived, developed the trendiest brand in American soccer". Goal.com. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
- ↑ Hanson, Greg (2023-09-07). "Portland, Maine granted USL League One franchise". USL League One. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
- ↑ Reed, Russ (2025-03-21). "Portland Hearts of Pine, Maine's first professional soccer team, win their debut game". ABC8 WMTW. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
- ↑ Peters, Drew (2025-05-04). "Sold-out crowd welcomes Portland Hearts of Pine to Fitzpatrick Stadium". News Center Maine. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
- ↑ Bradshaw, Brian (2025-04-14). "Portland Hearts of Pine founder Gabe Hoffman-Johnson to deliver keynote address at SMCC's 2025 commencement ceremony". Southern Maine Community College. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
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