Today, the NPSL National Championship takes place at historic Kezar Stadium in San Fransisco, California. The match will pit the kings of the West, El Farolito, against the champions of the South, Hickory FC. Both clubs have battled through the playoffs and are every bit deserving of being in this final. It should be a massive one this evening.

Hickory is a new club in the NPSL, joining in 2024, part of the Michael Hitchcock network of clubs. The club has, as you might expect of a Hitchcock club, tapped into its local community in a big way. Launched just two years ago, the team drew almost 40,000 fans this season in Hickory, North Carolina. It hasn’t hurt that the team plays exciting soccer and has been competitive from the start. The club has qualified for the playoffs in both of its seasons in the NPSL and that’s always going to draw some eyes. In its semifinal match with Ristozi FC, almost 4,000 fans showed up to support the team.

Led in attack by forward Antonio Pineda, who was named the Select 2025 NPSL Golden Ball and the Capelli Sport 2025 NPSL Conference MVP title for the Southeast Conference, Hickory finished the regular season undefeated. His seven goals were a key part of the team’s success. In the NPSL’s article about his success, he’s key to credit his teammates: “To me, getting those awards just shows credit to my teammates and coaching staff, and everybody that has to do with Hickory FC, up to the owners and the fans. All credit goes to those guys; without them, I wouldn’t have gotten those awards.”

Hickory’s opponents in the final is no stranger to the entire country, El Farolito. We’ve written extensive articles about this club and even awarded them our Protagonist Soccer Club of the Year Award for 2024. The little club named after a burrito shop is the poster child of lower league success and you’ll find plenty of fans among our staff. Hard not to love a club who just keeps winning, even when it seems unlikely. They have to be seen as the favorites in tonight’s championship.

Headed into the match, goalkeeper Kevin Gonzalez feels confident about their chances. “I’m really hopeful, we just want to prove to everybody in the football world . Everything we have gained at this point has been earned and not given. I’m really proud to being a part of this clubs history.” Gonzalez is a veteran of both pro and amateur teams and brings a special level of confidence between the pipes. He’ll be key in preventing Hickory from continuing their successful season.

Regardless of result, both teams will play a part of the future of amateur soccer in the United States. While El Farolito can look back over its decades-long history of success, Hickory is showing all the promise of a super-star club of the future. Both would be incredible champions of the NPSL, tonight we’ll find out which. The match will be broadcasted here on the NPSL’s YouTube Channel.

- Dan Vaughn