Nathan Messer


Nathan Messer is an English professional footballer who currently plays as a defender for Portland [Hearts of Pine] in the USL [League One].

Early life

Nathan Messer was born 6 July 2001 in London to a French mother and a German father. The family eventually settled in Bethesda, Maryland.

Career

College career

Messer spent four years playing for the College of William & Mary Tribe, making 58 appearances, before transferring to Providence College Friars men's soccer|Friars] for an additional year, making 17 appearances for the Friars.

Professional career

While in college, Messer played for TSV Meerbusch in Germany's Oberliga Niederrhein in 2020, and ND Primorje in Slovenia's Second League in 2022. In 2021, Messer played for Northern [Virginia FC] of USL League Two to begin his pre-professional career in the United States. In 2022, he moved to fellow USL League Two side Vermont Green FC, where he played from 2022 to 2023. He jointly holds the records for most career assists for the Green.
He then moved to the USL Championship team Rhode Island FC to start his professional career, where he was a part of the 2024 Eastern Conference winning team, but played just four times.
He signed to the USL League One team Portland Hearts of Pine in 2025. Initially a winger, he converted to left-back for the Hearts of Pine. He scored and assisted in his debut with the Hearts, a 4–0 win over CD Faialense in the U.S. Open Cup.
Messer was one of three Hearts of Pine players to appear in 39 of the club's 40 matches in 2025, and was named to the USL League One team of the week on six different occasions during the season. Following the conclusion of the 2025 USL League One season, Messer was voted into the All-League First Team. He returned to the Hearts of Pine for the 2026 season.

Honours

Vermont Green FC

  • Joint-most assists in club history
  • Joint-most assists in a season

Portland Hearts of Pine