Lower Tier Soccer | Top Tier Coverage
Protagonist soccer is a media organization dedicated to lower-tier soccer; UPSL, NPSL, BSSL
Freelance photographer, Shawn Payne, took a trip to Loudoun to check out the Virginia Marauders hosting Loudoun United FC’s Second Team. He shared the photos with us and we decided to take a look around the Chesapeake Division of USL League 2.
by Josh Duder
photos by Shawn Payne
Over the weekend, Luke Martin of Stormwatch, along with his son, made their way up to Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, to watch the Charleston Battery host Detroit City FC in the USL Championship. Luke had an opportunity to catch up with former Tormenta FC Head Coach, Ian Cameron, who now serves as an assistant with the Battery.
by Luke Martin
Read MoreAfter five matches played, the Portland Bangers are first place in the USL League Two’s Northwest Division. Head Coach Jorge Villafaña has got sophomore side Bangers playing their very best in front of the league’s very Wurst fans. We caught up with the first-ever Sueño winner to ask about his path and how he ended up coaching sausages.
by Josh Duder
Read MoreThe soccer season just got better! Sure, the top two professional USL men’s leagues have been underway for a few months, the US Open Cup has just wrapped up the Round of 16 and the quarterfinals start in just a couple weeks, but its really the launch of the amateur leagues which signal that the summer of soccer is upon us.
Our writers and favorite contributors take a close look at the biggest storylines in USL League Two; will the legends of amateur soccer find their way to the playoffs yet again; what young organizations will upturn the apple carts this season; and who will look the best doing it?
Read MoreZach Lowy has a candid conversation with Norwegian winger, Jens Petter Hague, and shares their time together with Protagonist Soccer. From Bodø, to Milan, to Frankfurt and back, Hague discusses the challenges of making the 2026 Norway National Team as it prepares for the World Cup and let’s us know what he’s up to these days.
by Zach Lowy
Read MoreLocal media coverage of soccer is shrinking at a time when soccer is expanding into new markets and cities faster than ever before. Former broadcaster, and current MLS diehard, found there’s a similar passion and love for community in the cities and towns which make up the divisions of soccer below.
by Tim Thomas
Read MoreHimself a La Masia academy graduate, Guillermo Amor, who learned from the legendary Johan Cruyff, opens up to Protagonist Soccer, in an exclusive interview with Zach Lowy of Breaking the Lines. He discusses his career as a player, a head coach, technical director, and even as a player representative for his son.
by Zach Lowy
Read MoreFrom the NCAA’s Akron Zips to one of the strongest amateur sides in the United States, Flint City; from Major League Soccer draftee to MLS starter; Jason Shokalook is entering his prime and discusses the path he took to get here with Zach Lowy of Between the Lines for an exclusive interview with Protagonist Soccer.
by Zach Lowy
Read MoreBreaking the Lines’ Zach Lowy sits down with soccer pundit, and former MLS player, Brian Dunseth to share the story of his soccer career, so far. From growing up in Southern California, going to Cal State Fullerton and ending up a Major League Soccer journeyman to never being too shy to share his perspective on the mic, Brian Dunseth shares his story with Protagonist Soccer.
by Zach Lowy
Read MoreWelcome to the Name the Player Key. For a few months we’ve been putting slides out on the socials asking you, our readers, to name the player based on the clubs she or he have played for. But we never really acknowledged the correct answers… while, now we are!
by Josh Duder
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