Lower Tier Soccer | Top Tier Coverage
Protagonist soccer is a media organization dedicated to lower-tier soccer; UPSL, NPSL, BSSL
Last 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 MoreAnother dominant display by Dallas at the expense of Brooklyn, who slip to second last week, after dropping their third in a row. Friend of Protagonist Soccer, Photographer Luke Chávez was there to shoot it.
by Josh Duder
Read MoreWith plenty of soccer stories in the blender, some may have missed the big announcement that USL has voted to approve promotion/relegation. Dan Vaughn considers the implications of the story for the American soccer ecosystem in this editorial.
by Dan Vaughn
Read MoreWith day one of the 2025 US Open Cup in the books, fans of the cupset will be feeling some sadness. Only one upset (thank you, FORO) isn’t the result lower league fans were hoping for, but there’s plenty more soccer to be played!
by Dan Vaughn
Read MoreThe US Open Cup is back and the first round proper is upon us - to celebrate, we reached out to several of our favorite bloggers and podcasters to help us assemble a list of games we think you’ll want to scour YouTube for their respective streams.
While we want you to watch every game you can, we understand that there might not be enough time to soak it all in… if that is the case, feel free to check in here to get the gist of these popular games in Round One.
by Protagonist and Guests
Read MoreWith just three weeks left of soccer in the MASL regular season, let’s take a look at the three times vying for the last playoff spot. Tacoma Stars, St. Louis Ambush, and Dallas Sidekicks all have a chance and everything to play for.
by Dan Vaughn
Read MoreDallas was dominant, while another Doppler Derby ends in a draw. All the action from the weekend in the USL Super League.
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 More2025 was the first year without a draft in women’s professional soccer. What did that mean for the teams in the USL Super League? How will it shape the future of so many young soccer players?
by Danielle Gawronski
Read MoreUSL League One is back for another season of professional soccer! The division three league featured a ton of great matchups last season and 2025 is sure to feature more of the same - contributors from Walkin90, Talkin Flock, League One Updater, the Spokane Soccer Show, Stormwatch Blog, RBLR Sports, Ranting Blue Penguin, North American Soccer Reporters, Hudson River Blue and our very own One League Under the C weighed in on the games they are hyped to watch this year - according to them, here are 15 games you MUST NOT MISS. Circle the date!
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