Portland Hearts of Pine Unveil 2026 ‘Lighthouse Kit’ – A Red-and-White Hooped Jersey with Deep Maine Roots

Portland Hearts of Pine have launched their new ‘Lighthouse Kit’ ahead of the 2026 World Cup year. The striking red-and-white hooped jersey, made by hummel, draws inspiration from Maine’s rugged coastline and echoes an iconic U.S. Men’s National Team design. Landon Donovan stars in a cinematic launch film shot at West Quoddy Head Lighthouse, the northeasternmost point of the United States.

A Kit for the World Cup Year

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to return to American soil for the first time in over three decades, Hearts of Pine are marking the occasion with a kit that connects place, timing, and belief. The Lighthouse Kit looks east toward the first sunrise of a new year in a country ready to host the world.

Landon Donovan Takes the Lead

U.S. Men’s National Team legend Landon Donovan — joint all‑time leading scorer and a pioneer of American soccer — stars in the launch. He travelled to Lubec, Maine, to film at West Quoddy Head Lighthouse, one of the first places in the United States to see the sun rise on 2026. As dawn breaks, Donovan removes his jacket to reveal the new kit, delivering the line: “Soccer’s coming home.”

Waldo 2 Min

Waldo 7 Min

Design Inspiration: From the Waldo Kit to West Quoddy Head

At first glance, the bold red-and-white hoops stir nostalgia for one of the most beloved jerseys in U.S. Soccer history — the 2012 USMNT ‘Waldo’ kit, worn by Donovan himself. Hearts of Pine deliberately bridge past and present, connecting an iconic era of the national team to a young club forging its own identity.

Waldo 5 Min

Waldo 6 Min

The design runs deeper than soccer history. West Quoddy Head Lighthouse, famous for its red-and-white hooped exterior, provides the blueprint. Those hoops were originally designed as a daytime beacon, guiding mariners after dark. The same principles of guidance and visibility are woven into the kit.

Sixteen vertical hoops appear across the jersey, each representing one of Maine’s 16 counties — including Waldo County, a subtle nod to the Waldo namesake that inspired the iconic USMNT kit. Look closer and you’ll find tonal heart details embedded throughout the pattern, referencing Portland’s Valentine’s Day Bandit tradition and the club’s ethos: Lead With Your Heart, which appears again on the interior neck tape.

Waldo 3 Min

Waldo 9 Min

The Dirigo Heart and State Pride

Turning the kit around reveals the Dirigo Heart on the back, referencing Maine’s state motto, Dirigo — “I lead.” This mark aligns state identity with club philosophy. A reflective hip tag evolves the symbol further, placing the Dirigo Heart inside a lighthouse beacon — an icon extended across supporting merchandise such as scarves and beanies.

Completing the look, Visit Maine appears prominently on the chest as part of the club’s ongoing partnership with the Maine Office of Tourism. Hearts of Pine are not just representing a city or a club — they carry the identity, landscape, and culture of Maine onto a national stage.

Looking Toward the Light

As the U.S. prepares to welcome the world in 2026, Portland Hearts of Pine lead with heart, look toward the light, and remind everyone where the sun rises first.

Waldo 8 Min