This article is the next series of Most Investable Soccer Clubs as ranked by Protagonist Staff. For the first 10 of this list AND the rubric used to construct it, please head here. For 60-51, head here.

50. LA 10 (UPSL)

Back in 2018 Edge Sports America, co-founded by Jeffrey Whalen and Italian legend Alessandro Del Piero invested in Los Angeles Soccer and since then LA 10 has been on the rise, earning promotion to the first division in its first season as LA 10. The club would continue to grow and eventually made the 2019 UPSL fall playoffs. Being connected with Juventus also means relationships with the Juventus Academies based in Los Angeles and Long Beach which has also helped create one of the biggest social followings in the UPSL, with over twenty-thousand followers. Being based in Los Angeles and having international connections, LA 10 would be very suitable from a local investor’s perspective, because they could help push a more local narrative to the club.

49. Miami Dade FC (UPSL)

MDFC is not the first Miami based club, nor will it be the last. One thing that this list is bringing to light is the strength of the Miami-Dade region and MDFC is a big part of that. Miami Dade FC first launched in 2014 and competed in the National Adult League, but has since then found themselves competing in the UPSL Florida South Division of the Southeast Conference. In its 6 years of existence, the club has played against many big clubs and international sides including Cruziero and the Haiti National Team. These international connections have led to big signings like former Brazilian international Emerson. The organization continues to expand its academies throughout South America and the US offering a more robust player scouting program than most lower league sides. An investment can help continue to highlight the local talent, but also could help find forgotten talent throughout the Western Hemisphere.

48. Florida Soccer Soldiers (UPSL)

I think we all remember the Florida Soccer Soldiers, because we all became fans during their impressive run in the 2019 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup where they went on to defeat professional sides Miami FC and Charlotte Independence SC. They then lost their third match to North Carolina FC. FSS made national headlines and even saw one of its own players, Valentin Sabela sign a professional contract with the Charlotte Independence. The Open Cup made the Soccer Soldiers a name amongst US soccer fans, but it’s the constant performance on the field mixed with the growth in marketing that makes FSS so investable. The club has shown it can develop talent, it would be nice to see that happen throughout the various age groups and an investment could help grow the size of this already successful organization.

47. DeKalb County United (MWPL)

Another Midwest Prem team on the list. DKCU has created a strong social presence that continuously gets involved in the national soccer conversations, when it isn’t poking fun at other MWPL teams, primarily Union Dubuque FC. DKCU has crafted a perfect balance between promoting regional soccer as well as national soccer topics. The club has also been able to achieve strong community relationships with its various community service initiatives and the creation of their very own craft beer and coffee. Lower league soccer clubs thrive on being independent and Dekalb County has taken that approach and made sure that it represents its fans and community.

46. Pensacola FC (NPSL/WPSL)

Obviously a club that has been named Protagonist Club of the Year (2019) deserves to be invested in, but we’ll make the case more clearly. Pensacola FC was founded in 2013, playing its first season in the NPSL before going on hiatus. Soon the club returned to play in the GCPL, before eventually returning to the NPSL in 2019. Of course, that’s only the men’s side of this organization. The women’s team has been a powerhouse in the WPSL, winning two titles and appearing in 4 finals since joining the league. Geography and climate makes this club a good investment target, as well, given the relatively great weather in Florida throughout most of the year.

45. Cleveland SC (NPSL)

Born out of the death of an NPSL club, AFC Cleveland, Cleveland SC was founded in 2018 by Sam Seibert. In the two seasons since, the club has qualified for the playoffs both years and been highly competitive in both appearances. The club also participated in 2020’s NISA Independent Cup as well as a 2019 friendly with LigaMX Monarcas Morelia’s reserve squad. That type of move is the sure mark of a club looking to grow beyond their own fanbase and look for fans elsewhere. CSC has entered into multiple partnerships with businesses through their connection with Offside Marketing, most famously with Platform Beer Co., which produced multiple beers that featured club branding. It will be interesting to see how far this club can continue to grow, given the location of the club - in a city going through tremendous economic change. It can be a boon to a club (see Detroit City FC), but it can also be a risk.

44. Academica SC (NPSL)

Founded in the late 1960s by Portuguese immigrants, Academic SC has become one of Central Valley’s most dominant sides. They have always had their own field, once a vacant lot used to coop chickens (now “the nicest amateur natural turf pitch in Northern California”), and it provides a huge advantage both financially and operationally. With an established youth program, Academica Juniors, and a legacy of developing quality collegiate players, Academica SC is easily one of the top 50 “most-investable” clubs in the United States.

43. FC Boulder (MPL)

You would be hard-pressed to find a website as slick as FC Boulder’s site. And as you dig through the site, there’s an impressive amount of information about the club’s programs for girls and boys, lists of athletes who have left for big-name clubs, and, of course, the adult programs. FC Boulder expanded its operation into the WPSL in 2019. On the men’s side, FC Boulder recently partnered with Harpos, one of the best-known men’s sides out of Colorado, to grow their program. The men play in the Mountain Premier League, a league still in the developmental and growth stage. All of these aspects combined show a high-level program, with a very developed talent development ramp, stretching its wings to take to the sky. Colorado is a prime market with multiple professional sides in MLS and USL, but both haven’t managed to suck up all the oxygen in the room, leaving space for a club with vision to take some market share.

42. Laredo Heat SC (NPSL/UPSL)

When people think of Texas, they always focus on the big name cities - Dallas, Austin, Houston, San Antonio - but there’s a lot of Texas spread out in every direction from those big cities. And while most think of Texas as a American football state, there’s a LOT of Texas country that devotes its time to the other football. Heat has been in existence since 2004, when it entered the PDL, and few clubs can claim to be over the 15 year mark on this list (or most any list of American soccer clubs). The club played in that league for over 10 years before departing for the NPSL (and recently the UPSL). The club was competitive in the PDL, including a 6 year period with 4 trips to the final and a league championship. In its first year in the NPSL, the club won its conference. The talent level in Laredo is strong and Heat have the local connections to find and develop it. The only negative with Heat is the distance from any sizeable population centers.

41. Irving FC (NPSL)

Irving FC has only been around since 2018, but the club has every intention of climbing the ladder to real name recognition. Eduardo Rodriguez, CEO, has invested serious amounts of money to begin that journey, first focusing on rebranding and creating an eye-catching crest for the club. The club began play in the UPSL before announcing their intention to join the NPSL next season. While the NPSL cancelled all play in the league, Irving FC banded together with the teams of the Roja League to play in local tournaments. The club is currently playing in its second tournament now. East Texas, particularly the Dallas-Ft. Worth metropolitan area is a hotbed for up and coming soccer clubs and talent. Irving has a great position geographically to get in on the growth in DFW.