Lower Tier Soccer | Top Tier Coverage
Protagonist soccer is a media organization dedicated to lower-tier soccer; UPSL, NPSL, BSSL
KitSZN catches up with Sam Zisette of Ballard FC & Salmon Bay FC to talk about the 2025 shirts sported by both squads, how the shirts share the story of the neighborhoods, and why they resonate so well with the locals.
by Brett Mullenix
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 MoreAfter a vigorous round of fan voting, we’re proud to announce the 2025 Protagonist Soccer Club of the Year: Vermont Green.
by Dan Vaughn
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 MoreBreaking the Lines’ Zach Lowy sits down with soccer broadcast journalist, Nico Cantor, and shares with us the story of how Nico landed in the soccer spotlight despite not having a prestigious playing career.
by Zach Lowy
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 MoreDan offers his perspective on the death of Grant Wahl and the legacy of the best American soccer journalist.
Read MoreBeing a fan in soccer is more than just the drums, the chants, and the smoke. It’s about connecting to a club at a personal level and making it a part of who you are as a person. For Dan “Wheaties” Garrett that club is Livonia City FC of the Midwest Premier League. And though he may be a one person supporter group for now, he’s in it for the long haul.
by Rich Schenck
Read MoreEl Johnson, co-founder of 2cents FC and Forty-One , has been a trailblazer in thinking beyond a single podcast or website. Instead, he’s revolutionized the Black soccer content space through bigger thinking, seeking to build out a space for his work and the work of others to shine. His focus, building a table for himself and plenty of space for company.
by Dan Vaughn
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