Vermont Green vs. Portland Hearts of Pine: a modern U.S. Open Cup rivalry

Vermont Green and Portland Hearts of Pine, two community-built New England clubs, meet in the U.S. Open Cup in what has been billed as a clash of brands as much as a cup tie. Vermont’s stadium announcer Tom Proctor has become a fixture with his unfiltered, part-announcer, part-hype-man style, and the two sides promise jerseys, brand activations and Bernie Sanders–inspired tifos to match the football.

The clubs have never faced one another and differ in structure: Vermont operates as a semi-pro side that leans on college and part-time players, while Portland competes at a higher level with a deeper player pool and broader recruitment. Still, the distance between them has not stopped interest — Virtue Field is sold out and the club even encouraged fans to watch from the hill behind the north goal.

Both teams built identities rooted in local culture and careful branding.

United States, New England

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