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Protagonist soccer is a media organization dedicated to lower-tier soccer; UPSL, NPSL, BSSL

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The Next Step
Aug 6, 2025
The Next Step
Aug 6, 2025

Last 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

Aug 6, 2025
Brett's Indiana Soccer Update: August
Aug 4, 2025
Brett's Indiana Soccer Update: August
Aug 4, 2025

Brett 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

Aug 4, 2025
Op-Ed: Women's Soccer Isn't Fun
Aug 4, 2025
Op-Ed: Women's Soccer Isn't Fun
Aug 4, 2025

There 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

Aug 4, 2025
NPSL Championship Final Recap
Aug 3, 2025
NPSL Championship Final Recap
Aug 3, 2025

In 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

Aug 3, 2025
USL League Two Championship FINAL
Aug 2, 2025
USL League Two Championship FINAL
Aug 2, 2025

In 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

Aug 2, 2025
NPSL Championship Tonight!
Aug 2, 2025
NPSL Championship Tonight!
Aug 2, 2025

Tonight, 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

Aug 2, 2025
The Life of a USL League Two Player: Dreaming Beyond the Pitch
Aug 2, 2025
The Life of a USL League Two Player: Dreaming Beyond the Pitch
Aug 2, 2025

While 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

Aug 2, 2025
Kicking Back: The History of Ft Lauderdale Strikers - Part Two, The Managers
Jul 25, 2025
Kicking Back: The History of Ft Lauderdale Strikers - Part Two, The Managers
Jul 25, 2025

Author 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

Jul 25, 2025
UPSL Women's Division: Year One in Review
Jul 25, 2025
UPSL Women's Division: Year One in Review
Jul 25, 2025

Protagonist Contributor, and Team Manager for Little Rock Rangers SC’s UPSL teams, takes some time after the inaugural season of the UPSL Women’s Division, to reflect on what worked and what could use some adjusting to make year two, and beyond, even better.

by Ryan Stallings

Jul 25, 2025
Utah United Claims USL W Crown
Jul 23, 2025
Utah United Claims USL W Crown
Jul 23, 2025

The USL W League wrapped up its season with a decisive win for its new champions, Utah United. The match featured an early red card, which Utah took full advantage of to blowout NC Courage U23, 4-0.

by Dan Vaughn

Jul 23, 2025

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