Headlines: Hearts of Pine's First Maine Signee a Role Model

PPH:

Khalid Hersi knows he’s a role model. It’s not something that was thrust upon him last week, when he became the the first Mainer to sign with the Portland Hearts of Pine, the men’s professional soccer team that will begin its inaugural season in just a couple months. This is something Hersi has embraced for a while. "To be the first Mainer signed to the team is an honor," Hersi, 20, said, "but there’s a lot of players motivated now to do it, too."