The Portland Hearts of Pine announced they have re-signed forward Walter Varela, who scored the first goal in franchise history, and signed Zion Scarlett, a 21-year-old defensive wing who spent last season with the Carolina Core of MLS Next Pro.

Varela played in 26 of the Hearts’ 32 USL League One games, making 17 starts. He finished the season with four total goals (two in league play). He earned his place in team history on his 28th birthday when he opened the scoring in a 4-0 win against amateur squad CD Faialense in the first round of the U.S. Open Cup at Lewiston High.

Scarlett appeared in 14 games with three starts for Carolina, making one brief appearance over the club’s final nine matches. Scarlett spent the 2024 season with Greenville Triumph of USL1, playing in 24 games with 14 starts, with one goal and four assists. Born in Philadelphia, Scarlett is a dual United States and Jamaica citizen. He appeared in four games with Jamaica’s U-20 team and played at total of six games for Columbus Crew II in the Next Pro ranks in 2022 and 2023.