Lower Tier Soccer | Top Tier Coverage
Protagonist soccer is a media organization dedicated to lower-tier soccer; UPSL, NPSL, BSSL
In the first of five Protagonist Soccer’s Club of the Year nomination articles, Dan Vaughn profiles the equally successful Tormenta teams. The men’s side won USL League 1 and advanced to the fourth round of the US Open Cup. In its first season of existence, the women’s team won the USL W. Tormenta is the model of focusing on both sides of the ball and generating equal excellence.
by Dan Vaughn
Read MoreThe legacy of California Storm is one of community-building, elevating the women’s game in California, regardless of club. This year, the Storm won its fourth WPSL National Championship and announced its expansion into the USL W in 2023. An incubator of talent, Cal Storm has been impacting US Soccer for decades and this year, it deserves nomination for the Protagonist Soccer 2022 Club of the Year.
by Dan Vaughn
Read MoreToday, the USL W League announced its first California division, aptly named the NorCal Division. The division will finally be home to the previously announced Oakland Soul and Stockton Cargo. Joining the two clubs are Academica SC, California Storm, Marin FC, The Olympic Club, Pleasanton RAGE, and San Francisco Glens.
by Protagonist Staff
Read MoreAfter a rough finish in its first NISA season, Flower City Union heads into the offseason with plenty of lessons learned and a path forward. Andrew Hoyt, club Vice President, sat down with Dan Vaughn to discuss the club’s path forward.
Read More“In 2023 I'm most excited for our indoor programs given that they are new to our club in the last 2 years, especially looking to have the Ladies' indoor squad go back to back as champions. Secondly, I'm looking forward to all the new programs that we have launched and engaging with the community. We can't survive without the community so I'm very excited to connect with people, businesses, and government officials to talk about our vision in helping serve the community.”
Read More“We play in the UPSL. We thought this was a great starting point for the team and our views for the future. It was cost effective to join and did not involve any crazy travel. Regionally we only travel about two and half hours one way to a game.”
Read More2023 US Open Cup Qualifying Rounds head into their third and final set before the winter break and the professional teams declare their entrance. Protagonist recounts some of the more interesting results so far and gives you a list of matches to scour for links to anywhere they can be found.
By Joshua Duder
Read MoreNISA announced its Best XI list yesterday and it was…interesting, both in choice and design. So the Knights Who Say NISA did a little work of their own. Here’s the Knights’ Best XI for 2022, with some explanation on key differences from the league’s choices.
by Knights Who Say NISA
Read MoreCongratulations to SG Tormenta FC, who win both the USL W as well as League One titles - a phenomenal achievement for the entire organization. The league also announced last week, the Collective Bargaining Agreement, which the USL and USLPA came to terms on.
by Joshua Duder
Read MoreBeing one of the best amateur soccer clubs in the States requires a lot of stellar soccer players and NoVa FC is looking to the UK to find some. Partnering with Elite USA Academy, the USL2 club will be hosting trials in London on December 11, 2022. It’s a big move drawing attention from all over the soccer world.
by Dan Vaughn
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