Lower Tier Soccer | Top Tier Coverage
Protagonist soccer is a media organization dedicated to lower-tier soccer; UPSL, NPSL, BSSL
As the World Cup quickly approaches, Brett is revisiting all 48 teams and the kits they will be wearing. Everyday a group or two will be posted with some of Brett's thoughts. The full article is set to be released during the second round of Group Play.
by Brett Mullenix
Read MoreAuthor and Soccer Historian, Stephen Brandt, returns to Protagonist to share the story of the NASL Atlanta Chiefs.
by Stephen Brandt
Read MoreOne of the longest-running amateur women’s teams in the world, playing since 1995; a member of the first iteration of the USL W League, and a founding member of the WPSL, we wanted to know everything about the Red, Black, and Fog. So, we were excited when GM of the San Francisco Nighthawks, Jill Lounsbury, took time out of her schedule to answer our questions.
by Joshua Duder
Read MoreFreelance photographer, Shawn Payne, took a trip to Loudoun to check out the Virginia Marauders hosting Loudoun United FC’s Second Team. He shared the photos with us and we decided to take a look around the Chesapeake Division of USL League 2.
by Josh Duder
photos by Shawn Payne
Over the weekend, Luke Martin of Stormwatch, along with his son, made their way up to Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, to watch the Charleston Battery host Detroit City FC in the USL Championship. Luke had an opportunity to catch up with former Tormenta FC Head Coach, Ian Cameron, who now serves as an assistant with the Battery.
by Luke Martin
Read MoreAfter five matches played, the Portland Bangers are first place in the USL League Two’s Northwest Division. Head Coach Jorge Villafaña has got sophomore side Bangers playing their very best in front of the league’s very Wurst fans. We caught up with the first-ever Sueño winner to ask about his path and how he ended up coaching sausages.
by Josh Duder
Read More“We Can Do It!” and they did. Riveters SC was founded in 2024 and in 2025 they won the USL W League’s Great Forest Division and made an appearance in the playoffs - this year they hope to go even further and have the support of The Burgh to add another title to “The City of Champions.” We wanted to know how it all got started and Matt Grubba from Media Relations was willing to give us the story.
by Joshua Duder
Read MoreOriginally run on Monday, May 25 by Luke Martin on Stormwatch - he looks into the sticking power of corner flag sponsorship. Polling numerous fans and fellow lower league journalists, Luke shares his findings about the value of putting your name in the corner.
by Luke Martin
Read MoreSoccer in Vermont has landed on the national stage in the last couple years - from NCAA Champions to another team winning an amateur national championship. Vermont Clover FC looks to help fill a role in that soccer ecosystem by providing a needed step in the development pathway. We were caught by the brilliant colors of their kits and badge, wanted to know more, so we reached out to co-founder and general manager Chris George for some answers.
by Joshua Duder
Read MoreThe Namekagon River runs into Trego Lake in Northwest Wisconsin; Highway 63, which connects Hayward and Spooner, passes over the south end of the body of water and is the home to the players of Namekagon Socer Club. We reached out to the new kids on the block in the WPASL to find out more about why they got started and what makes them tick, Tyler Turinske was generous with his time and filled us in!
by Joshua Duder
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