The game was lost, 2-1 to the bad guys. Never have I been so happy about a loss. I’m speaking of Portland’s newest soccer club, the Hearts of Pine, a dynamic group of ballers that has taken the city by storm. There’s no question: something special is happening in Portland.

The Hearts fell 2-1 to Rhode Island FC in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup. I was happy because they showed no quit and nearly equalized late in the game. But more than that, I was happy because it felt special — cheering for a team that already feels like it belongs to the city. In the chants, the sea of green and white, and the surge of pride that rippled through the stands, there was something bigger than soccer taking root.

The Hearts of Pine aren’t just a team, they are becoming a symbol of what Maine can be when we come together. The name itself evokes our natural heritage: the forests and the sense of place that defines life in Maine.

As the threat of climate change grows — with sea level rise, more frequent floods and intensifying heat waves — one word keeps coming up: resilience. Resilience means building communities that can withstand the effects of climate change and recover after major events. To truly weather the storm, we must lean on each other. Resilience starts with unity.

In my 22 years living in or near Portland, I have never witnessed such a clear demonstration of city unity. This team speaks to a connection I never imagined to come out of my home state, a connection to one another and to the traditions and character of Maine — grounded, hardworking and proud. I believe this connection can extend beyond sport, into how we face the future together.

Our community will continue to be tested. Portland is facing more frequent and intense storms, sea level rise, coastal erosion and altered seasons. Despairing is pointless and depressing. There is hope, and people are hopeful. The Hearts of Pine demonstrate what this city is capable of. Never has a USL team generated this much hype. That energy is powerful, and it can be used for good, to define Portland as a pioneer of environmental action.

A new team means new products, new merchandise and near 6,000-person crowds — all of which generate waste. I urge the Hearts of Pine to join the Green Sports Alliance: a collection of sports teams committed to net-zero waste. Only two teams in the USL are part of the Green Sports Alliance: Rhode Island FC and Vermont Green FC.

It is an ambitious and novel undertaking for a new team, but the Hearts of Pine are already breaking records. The team set the USL season ticket record (3,800), selling out Fitzpatrick Stadium and generating widespread acclaim on social media. But beyond what the Hearts of Pine can do as an organization, this show of unity demonstrates that this city is capable of coming together behind common cause.

Social cohesion is one of the four essential components outlined by the city of Portland’s definition of resilience. Another is promoting sustainable practices, which can be undertaken by engaging with the Green Alliance.

Some may see this as a naive or overly hopeful vision of Portland’s climate response — but there’s something dreamlike about what’s unfolding here. Why not translate that energy and optimism to tackle the climate problem?

This team can be a bridge between the past and the future, grounded in the grit and tradition of Mainers, and committed to a future where those same values define our environmental leadership. If we can come together for a soccer team, why not for the future of our home?