As the countdown to 2026 begins, Portland Hearts of Pine are ringing in the World Cup year with a kit that feels both deeply local and unmistakably national. Enter the new Lighthouse Kit from hummel — a striking red-and-white hooped jersey that connects Maine’s rugged coastline to the beating heart of U.S. Soccer.
With the world’s biggest tournament returning to American soil for the first time in more than three decades, Hearts of Pine lean into the moment. Their new 'Lighthouse Kit' is about place, timing, and belief — about looking east, toward the first sunrise of a new year, in a country ready to host the world.
Front and centre of the launch is U.S. Men’s National Team icon Landon Donovan. Joint all-time leading scorer. American soccer trailblazer. And now, lighthouse keeper. Donovan travelled to Lubec, Maine — the northeasternmost point of the United States — to star in a cinematic launch film shot at West Quoddy Head Lighthouse, one of the very first places in the country to see the sun rise on 2026. As dawn breaks, Donovan removes his jacket to reveal the new kit, delivering the line that ties it all together: “Soccer’s coming home.”
At first glance, the kit immediately stirs nostalgia. The bold red-and-white hoops echo one of the most beloved jerseys in U.S. Soccer history — the 2012 USMNT ‘Waldo’ kit, worn by Donovan himself. That visual lineage is no accident. In a globally significant year for the game on American soil, Hearts of Pine deliberately bridge past and present, connecting an iconic era of the national team to a young club carving out its own identity.
But the inspiration runs deeper than U.S. Soccer history. The Lighthouse Kit is rooted firmly in Maine. West Quoddy Head Lighthouse — famous for its red-and-white hooped exterior — provides the blueprint. Those hoops weren’t just aesthetic; they were designed to act as a daytime beacon, complementing the guiding light after dark. The same principles of guidance and visibility are woven through the kit’s design.
Sixteen vertical hoops feature across the jersey, each one representing one of Maine’s 16 counties — including Waldo County, a subtle nod back 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.
Turn the kit around and the story continues. The Dirigo Heart sits proudly on the back, referencing Maine’s state motto, Dirigo — “I lead.” It’s a mark that perfectly aligns state identity with club philosophy. A reflective hip tag evolves that symbol further, placing the Dirigo Heart within a lighthouse beacon — an icon that extends across supporting merch including scarves and beanies.
Completing the look, Visit Maine once again features prominently on the chest as part of the club’s ongoing partnership with the Maine Office of Tourism. It’s another reminder that Hearts of Pine aren’t just representing a city or a club — they’re carrying the identity, landscape, and culture of Maine onto a national stage.
As the U.S. prepares to welcome the world in 2026, Portland Hearts of Pine are doing what they do best: leading with heart, looking toward the light, and reminding everyone where the sun rises first.
The Hearts of Pine Lighthouse jersey is available now online.
