Hearts of Pine hire new sporting director
Portland Hearts of Pine Name Ray Saari Sporting Director to Bolster Team’s Future
Portland, Maine – In a move that underscores the club’s ambition, the Portland Hearts of Pine announced today that Ray Saari will join the organization as its new sporting director. Saari, formerly the technical director for USL Championship side El Paso Locomotive, will focus on scouting, roster construction, and player acquisitions for the Hearts’ men’s professional squad and the pre‑professional women’s team slated to launch in 2027.
“I think there’s a lot of areas that we need to improve on,” Saari said when he met with club officials. “Scouting, roster building and player acquisitions would be the three biggest things that would make up my job.”
He will work alongside Bobby Murphy, who continues as the Hearts’ head coach. Murphy, who has served as both head coach and sporting director since the franchise’s 2025 debut, said the separation of the two roles was “a natural progression” that “shows our growth and ambition.”
A New Chapter for Saari
Saari’s move from El Paso, Texas—just over 2,500 miles away—to Maine marks a significant career shift. “The main reason I’m leaving (El Paso) is this project in Portland,” he explained. “I feel really confident in saying it is one of the most exciting projects in U.S. soccer. It’s a very, very compelling project.”
Saari’s tenure in El Paso was marked by a dramatic turnaround. He oversaw a roster overhaul that lifted the club from last place in 2024 to a fourth‑place finish and a playoff berth in 2025, and the team currently sits atop the USL Championship’s Western Conference.
Stadium and Women’s Soccer Drive the Vision
The Hearts’ ambitions extend beyond the men’s league. Earlier this summer the club sold 5,000 season‑ticket deposits for the women’s squad—each at $25—within an hour of opening. The new soccer‑specific stadium, slated for a 2029 opening at Fitzpatrick‑Cassidy Point, is seen as a symbol of the ownership’s seriousness. “The stadium announcement ‘symbolizes the seriousness of ownership,’” Saari remarked.
“Being part of the development of a women’s team and the Hearts’ plan to build our own soccer‑specific stadium were significant factors in my decision,” he added.
Immediate Challenges
The Hearts currently sit 14th in USL League One with a record of 5‑10‑8, nine points shy of the playoff zone and nine games remaining in the season. The club’s last loss, a 4‑1 defeat to Fort Wayne FC, was witnessed by Saari as he arrived for the match.
“The deadline for making a roster move this season is Sept. 7,” Saari said. “So that’s a very tight timeline.” He emphasized that any new signing must fit the club’s short‑ and long‑term plans and not create an unfavorable long‑term situation. “We’ll explore possible moves,” he said, “but it has to make sense.”
Saari’s priority over the next few weeks will be “getting to know everybody” – from players and coaching staff to club personnel – to lay the groundwork for a more competitive roster.
Club’s Search for Leadership
The club’s pursuit of a sporting director began in early July. Saari first visited Portland on July 3 to watch the Hearts defeat the Richmond Kickers 5‑1. Since then, the organization has worked to secure a leader who can help guide the team’s strategic direction.
Founder Gabe Hoffman‑Johnson welcomed Saari’s arrival: “Adding Ray provides additional support to the coaching staff while giving the club greater capacity to plan for both short‑ and long‑term goals.”
As the Hearts enter the final stretch of the season, all eyes will be on Saari’s impact—both on the pitch and in shaping the club’s future in Maine and beyond.
