In the lower league soccer racket, the hardest part of surviving is finding a fan base that will consistently show up to matches, buy shirts, spend money at the concessions, and fund the operation of the team. It’s just so hard to compete for many lower league clubs, due to market congestion and media options, because they’re fighting for the same soccer fans as everyone else. Because of that, teams come and go at a rapid pace.

But every once in a while, a team pops on the scene and seems to get it. They know how to connect with their fans and the fans feel a tie to the team that brings them back over and over again. That makes everything you do as a soccer club easier (and that’s not to say it’s easy, just easier). Match that with a winning side and you’ve got a formula for long-term, sustainable growth.

*Hickory consistently played in front of thousands of fans.*

This year, Hickory FC bottled lightening and put together a dominant season in front of their home crowds that averaged almost 4,000. That means nearly 40,000 fans attended a Hickory FC match in 2025 and the team rewarded them by winning a NPSL championship. That’s the kind of synergy that creates lasting bonds between a community and their soccer club.

Hickory FC is just a second-year club and last season made an impressive playoff run for a newcomer. This year, it got the job done. The team finished their 2025 regular season run undefeated, top of the Southeast Conference. That impressive run of form continued in the playoffs, with wins over some of the best teams in the NPSL. The final would bring them face to face with lower league giant El Farolito, which Hickory beat 3-2 to capture their first national title.

Hickory FC’s 2025 was the perfect blend of performance and support. A team inspired a community and the community backed them through it all. It’s great example of community soccer succeeding. That’s why Hickory FC is nominated for the 2025 Protagonist Soccer Club of the Year.

- Dan Vaughn