Lower Tier Soccer | Top Tier Coverage
Protagonist soccer is a media organization dedicated to lower-tier soccer; UPSL, NPSL, BSSL
The Namekagon River runs into Trego Lake in Northwest Wisconsin; Highway 63, which connects Hayward and Spooner, passes over the south end of the body of water and is the home to the players of Namekagon Socer Club. We reached out to the new kids on the block in the WPASL to find out more about why they got started and what makes them tick, Tyler Turinske was generous with his time and filled us in!
by Joshua Duder
Read MoreSoccer historian, Stephen Brandt, completes his telling of the tale of “Whips, Darts, & Dips” - The Story of Soccer in the District.
by Stephen Brandt
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 MoreThe list of past USL W League Champions is impressive: 2022, South Georgia Tormenta FC; 2023, Indy Eleven; 2024, North Carolina Courage U23s; 2025, Utah United - in an even more expanded and talent-laden league, who will turn heads and flip the script to become the League Winners in 2026?
edited by Joshua Duder
Read MoreEhtar FC is built entirely from the grassroots up by fans of the sport whose “pure love of soccer” willed it into existence. The badge is a nod to the previous city flag of Belleville, IL and the club competes in the MWPL after two years in the NPSL - President and Director of Operations, Ian Thurlow, took the time to answer all of our questions.
by Joshua Duder
Read MoreWho Are Ya!? is back this week with another great club to introduce you to - Baltimore City FC, who participate in both the Maryland Super Soccer League as well as the APSL.
by Joshua Duder
Read MoreSometimes we like to catch up with old friends, we originally ran an Under the Lights article about Kensington Soccer Club back in October of 2022. We’ve re-run some of their historical information verbatim, but Justin Haskell, the Men’s Program Director at the club, wanted to share their changes, growth, and progress as an organization.
by Joshua Duder
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 MoreBrett gives us an update on the state of Indy Eleven - the front office is adding new players from a position of strength and while its too early to lean into the table, the fact that the squad are up in the playoff positions is a great sign of things to come.
by Brett Mullenix
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