There are so many interesting stories when it comes to the Portland Hearts of Pine. But it’s important to remember that there are 16 other teams in the league, each with their own narrative that helps explain how their season has gone.
Every Tuesday, The Hearts’ Beat will pull together a roundup of the most interesting stories from around the league. Some may have a connection to the Hearts; others will just be information readers should know.
So let’s take a look:
The biggest news from around the league last week was U.S. Soccer’s announcement of changes to the 2027 U.S. Open Cup format. For the first time since 2023, all 27 U.S.-based Major League Soccer clubs will participate, entering the tournament in the Round of 64.
In terms of what it means for Portland, the change means there’s a chance the Hearts don’t qualify for the 2027 tournament. The exact number of qualifying spots for USL League One has not been publicly specified yet by U.S. Soccer. Currently, there are 17 teams in USL1.
The Blazing Musket explains: There are 45 teams from the second and third divisions that are eligible for the tournament. This includes 25 clubs from the USL Championship, 17 from USL League One, and three independent clubs from MLS NEXT Pro.
With only 37 slots available, standings in the USL Championship and USL League One will determine first-round entry criteria, according to U.S. Soccer.
Last March, Portland lost 1-0 in the 2026 Cup at the Vermont Green.
Union Omaha took down the Charlotte Independence on Saturday, shutting out the first-place leaders by a 2-0 score. Omaha and Charlotte now have the same number of points, although Charlotte has a better goal differential and has played one less game
The key play was when Charlotte striker Souaibou Marou drew a red card in the 22nd minute, leaving the Independence a man down and missing the league’s leading goal scorer. From OurSports Central: For that first quarter of the match, it was properly end-to-end football from both sides, just what was expected from a pair of high-flying, attacking squads. It did all change with that foul, however. Marou, the Golden Boot leader with 12 goals, bore down on goalkeeper Cole Jensen in a one-on-one situation. His lunge for the ball became a kick delivered to Jensen’s gut, and after an initial ruling of a yellow card, the referees deliberated and decided to send Marou off.The race for the Players’ Shield looks like a race among three (or possibly four) teams with Charlotte and Omaha leading with 49 points and Forward Madison FC chasing closely behind with 47 points. One Knoxville SC trails in fourth with 43 points.
Looking at the schedule for the rest of the way, Charlotte does not have any games against the other three top teams. Madison hosts Omaha in its final game of the season while Knoxville has a tough road because among the three teams above them, only Madison remains on the schedule.
Portland may have a chance to play spoilers (and get a little revenge) as the Hearts host Charlotte on Oct. 24 in both teams’ final regular season match.
That final position in the playoffs will also be a sprint to the finish. Currently, Fort Madison FC holds the eighth and final playoff position with 33 points but has AV Alta FC (32 points) and Corpus Christi FC (30 points) nipping close behind.
Portland (26 points) still has a chance to overtake the eighth spot but a lot would have to go right, starting with stringing a bunch of wins together. But for some perspective, the Hearts are also seven points from the bottom of the table.
The Hearts climbed four spots in the USL1 Power Rankings for the week: Hearts of Pine is finally back in the win column for the first time in more than two months. It’s probably not enough to start a late-season revival, but it’s something.
