PORTLAND, Maine – Mikey Lopez called it a career last night, and he went out about as electrically as he possibly could. The defensive midfielder scored the game-winner in a scintillating 4-1 victory for the Hearts of Pine over the Charlotte Independence.
His line in the box score looks like an aberration. Lopez had scored only one goal in his two years with the Hearts, and he had taken only one penalty kick in a professional match (he made it). But in the final game of his career, which also closed out the Hearts’ 2026 season, his teammates insisted he take the kick. The goalkeeper saved his shot, but in pure Mikey Lopez style, he dashed forward and buried the rebound for a 2-1 lead.
When he did, 6,400 fans at Fitzpatrick Stadium erupted in delirium, then took it up a notch as Lopez was immediately subbed out. (He said his legs were cooked by halftime.) Joining the fans in the celebration were 20 members of Lopez’s family, including 16 who made the long trip from Texas, because this was not a game to miss.
In the minutes after the match, Fitzpatrick became a lovefest as his teammates carried him across the field. Lopez then joined the Dirigo Union in the stands to keep the celebration going.
Before the match ended, and in most cases before it even began, we at The Hearts’ Beat asked several fans and three family members what they are grateful for when it comes to Mikey Lopez.
We hope you enjoy our first published video. We can’t think of a better subject to focus on.
