Lower Tier Soccer | Top Tier Coverage
Protagonist soccer is a media organization dedicated to lower-tier soccer; UPSL, NPSL, BSSL
With the season going full throttle, Forward Madison and the Richmond Kickers clash once again for the 21st iteration of the Henny Derby. This year, the Mingos are reloaded and their position as a playoff contender is a lot more certain - photographer Jessica Hendricks was there to share her amazing photos with us.
by Joshua Duder
Read MorePensacola FC are just the second-ever champions of The League for Clubs, who held their National Finals at the end of July. In beating Iron Rose FC, 1-0, in the Final, Pensacola are also the first team from TLFC to be automatically qualified for the First Round Proper of the USOC. While the rest of the league resets for 2027, the Norcal Teams will play their annual Fall Cup, in a Autumnal Sprint Season.
by Josh Duder
Read MoreUSL League One is about two thirds of the way through its 2026 season. So, it’s time to take a look at where all the teams are in their quest for the post-season. The format of the league’s regular season is a football purist’s dream: single table, 17 teams, and a home-and-home schedule. That means a 32-game season. After this weekend most teams have played right around 20 games.
by Dan Creel
Read MoreThis is it! We’ve reached the final matchday of the 2023 USL League One season and there is still so much in the balance. The Players Shield and the two first round bye spots are still to be decided as well as the final positioning of 4th and 5th - it could go either way. Lastly, the 6th and final playoff spot has not been cemented and it’s gonna be bye bye birdie either way.
by Joshua Duder
Read MoreWe have now reached the PENULTIMATE match week. While the top four have clinched a playoff spot, their final positioning has yet to be determined; meanwhile, four clubs are playing musical chairs for the final two playoff spots - for one its a long shot, and for another its a looooong long shot, but it all hangs in the balance with just a couple games to go!
by Joshua Duder
Read MoreWith only three weeks left in the USL League One regular season, most of the playoff picture has been sorted - however, there are two spots up for grabs and four teams vying for contention. Can it be figured out this week? Additionally, there is the subject of the wooden spoon to discuss - so let’s get stuck in!
by Joshua Duder
Read MoreTop of the Table clashes and midtable battles this week will help make the playoff picture clearer - the matchdays are dwindling and those below the magic line are running out of time! However, no team is mathematically eliminated and in USL League One, anything can happen.
by Joshua Duder
Read MoreUSL League One is now headed into the home stretch of the regular season - some teams have 11 games left to punch their ticket to the playoffs and a few only have 8. We take a quick look into last weeks results and the games coming up this week.
by Joshua Duder
Read MoreSoccer culture in the United States is often criticized for being plastic, but the Henny Derby is as organic a rivalry as exists in the game. Founded by two friends, fans of USL League One clubs Richmond Kickers and Forward Madison, the Henny Derby is a unique and distinctly Black rivalry and one of the best in the American game.
by Dan Vaughn
Read MoreWeek Five was absolutely wild - The Flock hit for four and finish the weekend in fourth. Despite the madness in Madison, NCFC keep their cool and earn three points on the road to go second top. Newcomers Lexington get off the bottom with some good ol’ fashion home cookin’ and NoCo go to RVA and make it a stalemate.
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