
Portland Hearts of Pine Announce First Signing of 2026 Roster, USL1 All-League Second Team Defender Brecc Evans
Published on December 3, 2025 under United Soccer League One (USL1)
Portland Hearts of Pine News Release
Portland, ME - Portland Hearts of Pine announce centerback Brecc Evans as the first new player signing ahead of the 2026 season.
Evans joins Hearts after a successful inaugural season with FC Naples where he was named to the USL League One All-League Second Team. Evans led the league with 223 clearances while also recording 71 recoveries, 21 interceptions, and winning 111 duels at a 60 percent success rate. Evans also led Naples with 1,454 passes and recorded 17 blocked shots to rank 3rd in the league with a +6.35 Goals Added mark.
Prior to FC Naples, Evans played three seasons with Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC from 2022-2024, where he became the club's all-time leader in minutes played and helped win a Jägermeister Cup championship in 2024. Previously, Evans captained North Texas SC during their 2019 USL League One title-winning season.
In discussing his decision to join Hearts of Pine, Evans was impressed by Portland's supporter culture and matchday atmosphere.
"There's no denying something extremely special is here in Portland," said Evans. "Seeing players celebrate with fans-that appreciation for the city and club-it's exciting. I'm honored to be a part of it."
Evans also cited strong endorsements from players he knows across the league as another reason for deciding to join Hearts.
"Everyone I spoke to had positive things to say about the structure here-the facilities, the daily standards, the attention to detail."
"It's clear that players want to be here," Evans added, "A lot of high performers are returning, and it feels like a place where people want to build something long-term."
Evans is set to join at least 12 returning players from Hearts' inaugural season roster already under contract for 2026, and is the first of additional roster announcements to be made by the club ahead of the 2026 USL League One season.
United Soccer League One Stories from December 3, 2025
- AC Boise Unveils First-Ever Home Kit - Athletic Club Boise
- Former Badger Mark Segbers Returns to Madison for 2026 - Forward Madison FC
- Portland Hearts of Pine Announce First Signing of 2026 Roster, USL1 All-League Second Team Defender Brecc Evans - Portland Hearts of Pine
- FC Naples' Forward Karsen Henderlong Transferring to the USL Championship League with the Tampa Bay Rowdies for the 2026 Season - FC Naples
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Portland Hearts of Pine Stories
- Hearts of Pine Release 2026 Schedule
- Mikey Lopez Named USL League One Comeback Player of the Year
- Portland Hearts of Pine Announce Signing of Zion Scarlett & Re-Signing of Walter Varela Ahead of the 2026 Season
- Portland Hearts of Pine Announce First Signing of 2026 Roster, USL1 All-League Second Team Defender Brecc Evans
- Hearts Announces Hearts of Pine Foundation


