PORTLAND, Maine — Portland, Maine has a USL League One team. On Saturday, a thousand plus gathered at Brick South on Thompson's Point, eagerly awaiting a name for the highly anticipated soccer club. A video started, conversations stopped, and as it finished, a logo appeared on the screen: "Portland Heart of Pine". The crowd erupted with chants of "Portland", and the Heart Era began.

The name comes from the heartwood of pine that gives the tree strength to grow and thrive in all Maine seasons and elements, the team announced on social media. It also pays homage to Kevin Fahrman, Portland's Valentine's Day Bandit known for placing hearts all around Portland in mid-February. A touching tribute, as Kevin passed away last April.

The oddity of the name was not without notice. Tom Caron, co-owner of the team and a Lewiston native, noted, "It's a little different, it's a soccer name.....But that's soccer...It's unique, and I think Portland is unique." Caron also noted that he was a fan of the team slogan, "Lead with your Heart." TC put it best: "That's soccer." What it lacks in popularity, it makes up for in passion.

Personally, I think the name is buttcheeks. I had this take before I knew about the Valentine's Day Bandit nod, and I've softened my stance, but as a fan of alliteration, why not 'Portland Pinehearts'? 'Heart of Pine' literally translates to "passionate bench warmers". As a strong believer in not yucking others' yums, I will keep my head-scratching and disparaging remarks about the branding to myself moving forward. I look forward to next March when the "Heart of Pine" (swallows puke) start their inaugural season.