Lower Tier Soccer | Top Tier Coverage
Protagonist soccer is a media organization dedicated to lower-tier soccer; UPSL, NPSL, BSSL
What’s a couple hours of driving through stormy weather to see some old friends? Our old friend Adnan takes in a Forward Madison match against FC Naples and catches up with Matt Poland. It’s a USL League One reunion!
by Adnan Bašić
Read MoreFor the UPSL in Spring/Summer of 2025, it all comes down to this - the two heaviest hitters ready to scrap in beautiful, sunny, Southern California. We take a look at the Tale of the Tape to see how these two squads got here.
by Josh Duder
Read MoreLast weekend, Vermont Green took the next step in its careful growth, winning the USL League Two Championship in front a packed house. Head Coach Chris Taylor was a key part of the club’s growth and discusses the season that saw them crowned champions.
by Dan Vaughn
Read MoreBrett takes a look around the state of Indiana, gives us an update on the state of the Indy Eleven, as well as a final report for the season on League One bound Fort Wayne and cup winning Goshen City of the MWPL.
by Brett Mullenix
Read MoreThere are many words to describe women’s soccer, but weekly soccer shows, podcasts, and pundits succumb to calling it “fun.” Danielle is here to expand their lexicon and to explain why Women’s Soccer Isn’t Fun.
by Danielle Gawronski
Read MoreIn a pitched battle between two worthy foes, Hickory FC claimed its first league championship over lower league-darlings El Farolito. The new NPSL Champions won 3-2, scoring the match winner in stoppage.
by Dan Vaughn
Read MoreIn a league full of well-run, ambitious, and social media savvy sides, two of the very best in the country faced off in Burlington, Vermont. Smartly kitted and well-coached, Vermont Green and Ballard FC gave the country one of the most exciting games of the year to end the season.
by Mathieu Starke
Read MoreTonight, the NPSL will crown their next champion. The final will feature two clubs leading the way into the future, one with a bright past and the other with aspirations of being the next success story in amateur soccer. El Farolito will host Hickory FC in San Francisco tonight.
by Dan Vaughn
Read MoreWhile fans may see a player play 90 minutes a week, there’s a whole other side for every player on the pitch. Every kit is filled with a person with dreams, aspirations, hopes for the future, and a reality that may not involve soccer.
by Jadyn Hsieh-Bailey
Read MoreAuthor Stephen Brandt joins Protagonist to perform club-by-club retrospective of the original NASL. In Part Two, we explore the several managers of Ft Lauderdale Strikers during their NASL tenure. This will be an ongoing series with clubs’ histories being shared over multiple parts. Here is part one of Kicking Back: the NASL Era - Fort Lauderdale Strikers.
by Stephen Brandt
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