Lower Tier Soccer | Top Tier Coverage
Protagonist soccer is a media organization dedicated to lower-tier soccer; UPSL, NPSL, BSSL
Cleveland has a new member of their community and one happy to start from scratch with the goal of building something big that the city can be proud to call their own. We spoke with co-founder and primary owner, Albert Murza about new side Cleveland United FC and how they’re set to join UPSL and earn their way to the top.
by Josh Duder
Read MoreFounded in 2024, McKinney Chupacabras FC will be headed into its second season in the USL League Two - we had some questions about the fairly young team, who they are how they operate, and how they came to be named. Connor Sides, the business operations manager, was happy to take the time to catch us up and to let us know they were almost the Tarantula Hawks!
by Josh Duder
Read MoreFour women decided to re-write the narrative when their team’s owner stepped down - they decided to create something fresh and new for the women of Austin. Co-founder of 512 FC, Brittany Flowers, took the time to answer our questions and share with us how they launched this new indoor soccer side for Bat City.
by Josh Duder
Read MoreWho Are Ya! kicks off 2026 by introducing you to Texas Lonestar SC out of the MASL W - since having replied, they’ve played a few games, but at the time of answering, they had only just won their first scrimmage on Nov. 22 vs. TULSA FC, and won their home opener on Dec. 13, vs. H.I.C. (Houston Indoor Club) - a veteran club in the league 4-2, in front of over 380 fans. Not a bad start for a brand new team kicking a ball off the wall.
by Josh Duder
Read MoreIt’s the FINAL COUNTDOWN! Earlier, we brought you 25 down to 15 and now we go from number 14 to the number one kit in the Top 25 Tops of 2025 - where nine panelists volunteered to look at 50 shirts from around the US soccer scene, division 2 and below, then ranked them from 50 to 1. We took the average rankings then put them in that order! Here’s that list.
Read MoreProtagonist Soccer brings you our prestigious Top 25 Tops of 2025 list and this year we’ve done it in style. Seven Kitnerd panelists from across the US Soccer podcasting and writing community weigh in and share their opinions about this year’s most impressive US-based club kits! In Part One, we explain the process, give you a list of notable exclusions, and start the countdown. from number 25 to number 15.
Read MoreThis is it. We’ve made it to the final Who Are Ya of 2025 and what a club to close out the season with! Now, we know who Denton Diablos are but we wanted to catch up with the former champions of NPSL and find out how they plan on conquering USL League Two. Co-founder and friend of Protagonist, Damon Gochneaur, was happy to help end the year on a high note.
by Josh Duder
Read MoreThere are thousands of soccer teams in the US league system and we love finding clubs and getting to know them - then sharing that with you! A team we’ve been hoping to share for quite a while is the Lubbock Matadors.
by Josh Duder
Read MoreLast week we got the World Cup draw and for the most part we know who is in, who is out, and where they’ll be playing. Additionally, a few of the kit-makers have released their World Cup kits and KIT SZN’s Brett Mullenix is here rate what we have so far…
by Brett Mullenix
Read MoreStarting from scratch, a pair of twins went all in to create the Albuquerque Alliance FC, not just for a place to play, but also for a way to give to their community and bring the talented women of ABQ together to thrive. We reached out to the women in watermelon and turquoise and co-founder Leila Chapa took the time to tell us all about their endeavor.
by Josh Duder
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