Lower Tier Soccer | Top Tier Coverage
Protagonist soccer is a media organization dedicated to lower-tier soccer; UPSL, NPSL, BSSL
Founded in 1997, the WPSL is the largest women’s soccer league in the world! Every year many players use the league as a platform to launch themselves into the pros - whether its our own NWSL domestically, or professional leagues from Iceland to Portugal. As ever, the division winners will vie for the WPSL National Title, also known as the Jerry Zanelli trophy and this year’s field is absolutely stacked with talent!
by Joshua Duder
Read MoreWith the USL Super League a month away from kicking off its first season, rosters a finalizing across the country. Tampa Bay Sun has signed plenty of talented, big-name soccer players. Few have brought the attention of Sydny Nasello. The former NWSL draftee comes with baggage that many haven’t forgotten.
by Dan Vaughn
Read MoreAfter a grueling regular season in the NPSL’s Lone Star Conference, West Texas FC is flying high and heading into the postseason as the conference one-seed.
by Dan Vaughn
Read MoreWelcome to the 2024 US Open Cup Quarter Finals, where we are left with three USL Championship sides who will fight to make it past 5 MLS sides on their way to the Semi Finals… and possibly beyond. Our contributors lay out the four scenarios, including a lone MLS vs MLS fixture which pits two former US Open Cup champions against one another! Let’s get stuck into some Tournament Soccer!
by Protagonist Staff and Guest Contributors
Read MoreTwo rounds down and two to go in the USL W League playoffs. Some surprising upsets in the bracket, but the best are through to the semifinals. Here’s a full recap of the W League Conference playoffs.
by Dan Vaughn
Read MoreTraveling for soccer is always rewarding but last week’s trip to the Henny Derby in Richmond was an all-timer. Dan revisits the city of Richmond and looks back on the week that was.
by Dan Vaughn
Read MoreThe USL W League regular season is done and tickets to the playoffs are punched. Round one kicks off one on Friday, with plenty of tasty matchups from across the country! Dan Vaughn looks over the matches and makes his predictions!
by Dan Vaughn
Read MoreAfter an incredibly difficult 2024 season, filled with friendlies and matches without consequences, Tulsa Athletic has the chance to hoist silverware in the first ever American Champions Cup. The Tulsa club will face Houston Regals on Saturday. Sonny Dalesandro talks about his goals with the competition and how it came to be.
by Dan Vaughn
Read MoreWe put out the all-call for contributions to this week’s Protagonist Picks Em and we got a wonderful response! We’re nearing the end of the regular season for many of our favorite amateur leagues and with playoff spots in the balance our writers and podcasters take a look at the races in the WPSL, MWPL, USL League Two, USL W League, and NISA Nation. We also peek at some important Jägermeister Cup fixtures from USL League One as it goes over the halfway point in its schedule. Let’s take a look at the matchups on offer and get stuck in!
by Protagonist Staff
Read MoreWith USL League Two matches kicking off all week, every week, we’ve done our best to utilize the stats compiled by the league by Sunday night and use them in our very own THE 2HOW Top 35. At the end of the road, only 35 teams from the league will enter the playoffs and we’ll be here every week to keep watch over the progress, and regress, of some of USL League Two’s top sides.
by Ryan Stallings
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