Naples and Portland Make Mid-Season Roster Announcements
A sudden retirement, an extension and a mutual termination
FC Naples and Portland Hearts of Pine made mid-season roster announcements this week, with one player retiring, another extended, and a third departing under mutual agreement.
Justin Weiss of FC Naples announced his sudden retirement from professional soccer on Monday, then confirmed by his club later in the day. The 23 year old first-year pro signed with the expansion side in pre-season, but was sidelined due to injury until making his debut on May 25th as a substitution. On June 14th, he made his first professional start and scored a brace against Chattanooga Red Wolves. He’d go on to make seven appearances in total for FC Naples, three in the starting eleven.
The reason for the retirement was not disclosed.
Meanwhile, Portland Hearts of Pine announced a contract extension for long-time USL veteran Jake Keegan, locking down the forward for the remainder of the 2025 season. The 34 year old was one of the final roster announcements at the start of the season, and was on a performance-based contract.
Keegan has one goal on the season, a thrilling extra time shot to equalize against USL Championship club Hartford Athletic in the U.S. Open Cup. He’d go on to land his shot in penalties as his side pulled the upset.
Keegan has a long history of professional soccer, originally drafted by Philadelphia Union in the 2013 MLS Supplemental Draft. While he did not sign a contract, he went on to play in Ireland’s top flight, before joining Greenville Triumph in USL League One in 2019. He had two separate stints with Greenville, and also spent a season with Forward Madison, One Knoxville and Northern Colorado Hailstorm before joining Portland. He’s the fourth leading goal-scorer of all time in USL League One regular season play.
Portland also announced the departure of Samuel Mahlamäki Camacho on mutual agreement. The Finnish center back made eight appearances for Portland this season after joining in pre-season. His last appearance on the roster was July 2nd, but he did not enter the match.
The 29 year old is a long-time veteran of various levels in the Finnish professional system.
I’m often saddened to hear about a player calling it a career unless they are ready to do so.
Wish Weiss all the best. Even at 23, he’ll be able to know that he did something that the overwhelming majority of us will never do. He signed a pro contract and scored a brace as a professional.
Regarding Keegan, I always respect anybody on their grind. He’s been on it. Good to hear that he was able to parlay that contract to one that will see him with Portland the rest of the season. He had to have earned it.
Sometimes, what someone brings to the team culture is reason enough to try to keep them around. If he’s willing to share what he knows I really hope that the other players (especially the younger ones) are interested in learning what they can from him.