Lower Tier Soccer | Top Tier Coverage
Protagonist soccer is a media organization dedicated to lower-tier soccer; UPSL, NPSL, BSSL
The 2025 soccer season just got better! Sure, the top two professional USL men’s leagues have been underway for a few months and the US Open Cup has just wrapped up the Round of 32… but its really the launch of the amateur leagues which signal that the summer of soccer is upon us.
by Protagonist Staff and Guests
Read MoreJoin our staff writers, podcasters, and guests as we take a look at the USL W League’s 2025 schedule. Its the fourth full season of play for the league and in that time it has made a massive impact on, not only player development, but also on front office staffing, coaching, and other quintessential roles for women in soccer. Today, we celebrate the kicking off of a new season and circle the dates of the biggest games on the calendar.
by Protagonist Staff and Guests
Read MoreLess than a year from launch in the USL Championship, the President of Buffalo Pro Soccer, Peter Marlette, sat down with Protagonist to discuss his roots in the city, the stadium project, and the importance of making his new club distinctly Buffalo.
by Dan Vaughn
Read MoreLast week may have been a bad one for the USMNT, but the emergence of Diego Luna in midfield may be the redeeming event of a failed Nations League run. His story of development doesn’t fit the mold of the average MLS star, but shows the importance of USL Championship’s role in the path to professional.
by Dan Vaughn
Read MoreThe USL Championship is set to kick off this weekend and contributors from The Leagues Podcast, Daily Detroit, Oakland Roots Blog, Bluegrass Soccercast, USL Show, KitSZN, Crane Kicks Lex, Ranting Blue Penguin, On the Rocks Pod, RBRL Sports, Walkin90 Pod, Shea Butter FC, and Protagonist Soccer’s own THE C Podcast weighed in on the games they are most excited for. So, in chronological order (for the most part) let’s get stuck in!
Read MoreOur weekend preview checks into MASL, MASL W, and MASL 2 as the Iowa Demon Hawks catch the attention of a couple of our writers! The WISL Semi Finals are this weekend with the top four sides fighting for a spot in the Final. UPSL goes big in Texas with the Texas Cup. And out in California, the Umberto Abronzino Cup sees two exciting clubs duke it out. Let’s get stuck in!
by Protagonist Staff
Read MoreWe welcome back the USL Super League for the second half of their season with a big Florida Derby. The Western Indoor Soccer League goes into its final weeks of the regular season with playoff seeding in the balance. There’s a showdown in Texas with MASL hitting its mid-season stride. And the EPSL also heads into the second half of its season with one team looking at the top of the table and another looking for consistency.
by Protagonist Staff
Read MoreOne of the original Locos, Memo Diaz has spent the last four seasons helping propel Oakland Roots into a consistent USL Championship playoff contender. Now Dias returns to El Paso with fresh perspective, a wealth of experience, and a new baby in tow.
by Dan Vaughn
Read MoreThis weekend our writers and guests take a look indoors at MASL and MASLW with teams jockeying for the top spots and scrapping to avoid the bottom. We also have one more playoff game before the UPSL heads off to their National Championships. Let’s take a look at those games and why you should try to watch them if possible.
by Protagonist Staff
Read MoreAfter almost a decade in net for Detroit City Football Club, goalkeeper Nate Steinwascher sat down with Dan Vaughn to discuss his career in the Motor City and what’s next for him.
by Dan Vaughn
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