Yes, yes, the World Cup is underway and we’ve even put out a special World Cup Protagonist Pick ‘Ems just for the occasion. However, there is still an absolute ton of club and cup soccer to cover and we would be remiss not to. Here’s your guide to the most interesting games of the week, according to our staff and guests.

Dan Vaughn Picks…
- Steel City FC vs Med City FC - NPSL Midwest Region Semifinals
  - Friday July 21st - 2:00pm PST / 5:00pm EST
    from Indianola Football Field on ELEVEN
  - Med City is on one of those underdog streak you love to see. Two wins against higher seeds has brought MCFC against the top seed in the Midwest. Steel City knocked off Cleveland 2-0 in the Conference Final, but can it end Med City’s dreams of an upset?

Dan Vaughn Picks…
- Annapolis Blues FC vs West Chester United SC - NPSL East Region Semifinals
  - Friday July 21st - 1:00p PST / 4:00p EST
    from MSU Soccer Park on ELEVEN
  - Annapolis has had a magical opening season, drawing big crowds and playing well. Can they continue their run against one of the powerhouses of the NPSL East? Should be interesting to watch!

Ryan Stallings Pick…
- Texas United vs NONA Soccer Academy - USL League Two Playoffs
  - Friday July 21st - 2:00p PST / 5:00p EST
    from War Memorial Stadium on ELEVEN
  - You can only play the schedule ahead of you, and that’s what Texas United did very well this season against a much-maligned Mid-South Division slate, slicing through every match with few exceptions. Their reward for such a record-breaking season feels a bit like a punishment, as they’ll face a None FC side from Orlando the found themselves in a runner-up position in the Southeast Division by a single point less than The Villages SC. The Longhorns are really runner-up in name only, and this match feels more deserving of being a conference final rather than a round of 32 match. Both teams score in bunches, but will be going against stout defenses. Whichever side breaks deadlock first with hold inside lane in what may turn into a track meet by full time. Something says this will be the team from Plano, pulling out a 3-2 victory.

Ryan Stallings Pick…
- Long Island Rough Riders vs Ocean City Nor’Easters - USL League Two Playoffs
  - Friday July 21st - 4:00p PST / 7:00p EST
    from Heart Health Park on GameInFrame
  - A gift horse of sorts rewarded to Mid-Atlantic Division Champion, where, rather than commencing their postseason campaign against runner-up from another division, they’ll open their playoff account with a visit to defending national finalist Long Island Rough Riders. Facing the Rough Riders’ high flying attack (3.14 goals scored averaged per match), Ocean City will need to rely almost exclusively on its side’ disciplined defense (1.07 goals allowed per match) to keep the game close. Look for Long Island to slip past the visitors, 2-1, in a cagey match.

Lis Schendel Picks…
- Indy Eleven vs NC Courage U23s - USL W League FINAL
  - Saturday, July 22nd - 11:00a PST / 2:00p EST on ELEVEN
  - Indy Eleven has dealt finishing blows to two of the best teams in the nation—Aurora FC and SF Glens—on their way to this match. They’re looking to do it one more time against an undefeated opponent, NC Courage USL W. The NWSL returns this weekend for the CC, and there are many early morning juicy World Cup matches, but this will be a match you’ll want to make room for in your Saturday plans.

Dennis Pope Picks…
- AC Houston Sur vs Chattanooga FC - NISA Independent Cup, Regional Final
  - Saturday, July 22nd - 4:30p PST / 7:30p EST
    from Finley Stadium on ELEVEN
  - AC Houston Sur recently completed its USL League 2 season, was announced as the first member of NISA Nation’s Texas Region and then won back-to-back games in the NISA Independent Cup Southeast Region to win a shot at NISA’s top team. Chattanooga FC are dominating the NISA and are the presumptive favorites to win the league for the first time as rumors swirl about the club’s future league home.

Danielle Gawronski Picks…
- Michigan Jaguars vs Sporting CT - UWS National Semifinals
  - Saturday, July 22nd - 4:00p PST / 7:00p EST
    from College of the Canyons, Upper Soccer Field
    on ELEVEN
  - Michigan Jaguars FC have done a solid job creating cohesion and a style of play between their youth program and the semi-professional adult league. The team boasts a number of former youth players; teamwork could be the key factor that has helped carry the jaguars through the season this far.
    Sporting CT finished second in the East division with 21 points and only one loss. Tiffany Weimer hasn’t lost a step since she left the NWSL. She leads the team with 11 goals and dare I say the league golden boot race. She will be hard to stop and a defense’s worst nightmare. If Weimer is drawing the defenders away it will leave Imani Jenkins free to add to her season tally of 7-goals.

Danielle Gawronski Picks…
- SC Blue Heat FC vs Lancaster Inferno FC - UWS National Semifinals
  - Saturday, July 22nd - 7:00p PST / 10:00p EST
    from College of the Canyons, Upper Soccer Field
    on ELEVEN
  - Blue Heat are no strangers to the UWS finals. They will be playing in their fourth National Championship and have won two national titles, the most recent one coming in 2021. The roster is filled with elite college and youth national players, you will be sure to see the next World Cup bound player. Will they add another trophy to the cabinet this weekend?
    This is Lancaster Inferno’s third national appearance as a final four team, previously finishing as finalist in 2018 and semifinalist in 2019. Six returning veterans who competed in previous National championships will use their experience to lead the team.

MaryBeth Zmuda Picks…
- SC Del Sol vs Salvo SC - WPSL Semifinals
  - Saturday, July 22nd - 9:00a PST / 12:00p EST
    from Neal Patterson Stadium on ELEVEN
  - Salvo SC had one hell of a weekend beating FC Milwaukee Torrent after 7 rounds of PKs and then going on to shock the number one ranked Colorado Rapids 2-0 moving them to the WPSL 2023 semifinals this Saturday. They will take on SC Del Sol, who took down SoCal Reds and the California Storm to propel themselves forward to the semi's . Suffice it to say, no matter the outcome this match should be great watching!

Chris Walker Picks…
- Charleston Battery vs Pittsburgh Riverhounds - USL Championship
  - Saturday, July 22nd - 4:30p PST / 7:30p EST
    from Patriots Point on ESPN+
  - We’ve got ourselves the oldest Black & Yellow Derby on tap. It’s a chance for the Battery to get closer to that number 1 spot again. Both sides have been playing solid football the past few match days. This is not only a huge 6 pointer to gain poll ranking for either team, but for Battery it’s a chance to even the season derby series. New Mexico United vs. Sacramento, over the course of the break New Mexico United has signed two new players: winger Jacobo Reyes (Monterrey, Rayo 2) and striker Isaac Zuleta (Getafe CF B). United has been aggressive in filling gaps due injury or roster needs. Head Coach Eric Quill has not only gained trust from the current roster, he has managed to bring in some new helping hands to shift the side into an attacking juggernaut.

Kaylor Hodges Picks…
- Las Vegas Lights vs Hartford Athletic - USL Championship
  - Saturday, July 22nd - 7:30p PST / 10:30p EST
    from Cashman Field on ESPN+
  - A match up between two of the bottom-feeders in the USL should actually make for a great match up. Las Vegas are great at being pesky, and have been a bit of comeback kids this year. Meanwhile Hartford seem to have a knack for losing matches in incredible ways. Hartford has an attack that can score on just about anybody, but a backline that does not hold up under pressure. Las Vegas, on the other hand, has a solid defense, but it’s hit or miss if they bring their shooting boots with them.

Kaylor Hodges Picks…
- Louisville City vs Birmingham Legion - USL Championship
  - Saturday, July 22nd - 5:00p PST / 8:00p EST
    from Lynn Family Stadium on ESPN+
  - As Birmingham Legion go into Louisville, it’s a true battle of who is going to get their season back on track. The Legion are finally healthy and seem to have found something. Meanwhile Louisville City are one of the most hurt teams in the league and are in some of the worst run of form in their incredible history.

Kaylor Hodges Picks…
- SG Tormenta FC vs Greenville Triumph - USL League One
  - Saturday, July 22nd - 4:30p PST / 7:30p EST
    from Tormenta Stadium on ESPN+
  - In a league with as much chaos as League One, it’s hard for one team to completely own another. The concept of a “Bogeyman” does not truly exist in the USL, except for the GIANT Ibis on the back of John Harkes. South Georgia Tormenta have been extremely underwhelming and frankly disappointing this year, but only 3 points separate Greenville and their Peachy Rivals. Will Greenville finally get Bolt off of their back? Or is this finally the spark that gets Tormenta back in winning ways?

Josh Duder Picks…
- El Farolito vs Crossfire Redmond - NPSL West Region Semifinals
  - Saturday, July 22nd - 4:00p PST / 7:00p EST
    from Kezar Stadium on ELEVEN
  - El Farolito are far and away, statistically, the best team remaining in the NPSL playoffs - they finished 2nd overall, in a league of 93 teams, with 28 pts from 10 played and boast a 2.3 goals per game average. While they only defeated last week’s playoff opponent by 1 goal to 0, they did it at home and in front of the Burrito Brava (the best SG in the league) at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco.
    They go again this week and face Crossfire Red, who finished 15th in the league. And while they finished top of their division, they only had 3 other teams in it - one of those was their own B-squad, Crossfire White. Apparently, IPS FC, who finished with a higher points per game average, didn’t even finish their season - the Northwest Conference is a disaster. One would expect El Faro to put this team to the sword, but playoffs are a funny thing - we’ll just have to wait and see.

Josh Duder Picks…
- Chicago Nation FC vs FCY New York - UPSL Quarterfinals
  - Sunday, July 23rd - 3:30p PST / 6:30p EST
    from Mercy Health Sportscore 2 on ELEVEN
  - Chicago Nation, who made easy work of the Midwest Central Division with 9 wins and a draw from 10 played and a +38 Goal Difference, are set to host FCY New York in Love Park, Illinois. The visitors dominated their own division, the Western NY, also with 9 wins, but with 2 draws and a total of 29 points from 33 possible. Their goal difference was only +17. This will make the third road playoff game for FCY NY, who have played tight games against Philly Lone Star (1-2) and advancing by penalties after added on time against Bridge Sports Club; meanwhile, Chicago Nation have shut out their opponents while bagging a ton of goals (3-0 over Goshen city and 5-0 over Detroit United) The proverbial Rock vs Hard Place and something’s gotta give.

Dennis Pope Picks…
- Inter Detroit vs Michigan Stars FC - NISA Independent Cup Regional Final
  - Sunday, July 23rd - 10:00a PST / 1:00p EST
    from Romeo Stadium on ELEVEN
  - Is this the moment for Inter Detroit? One of the top amateur clubs in Michigan and the Midwest for the last several years - with a growing reputation to match - Edwin Jimenez’s club finally gets a crack at Michigan Stars FC in a match that means something. Stars, the reigning NISA champions, are coming off a 0-1 loss to Albion San Diego and could be ripe for an upset should coach Stewart Flaherty’s team fail to score a goal.

Dan Creel Picks…
- Forward Madison vs SG Tormenta FC - USL League One
  - Wednesday, July 26th - 4:00p PST / 7:00p EST
    from Breese Stevens Field on ESPN+
  - The top three teams in the standings plus last season’s champions in a mid-week doubleheader. Tormenta has struggled to get their offense going and needs to make up ground for a run to the playoffs. They head to second place Madison who have moved up the table in recent weeks. Former league leading North Carolina hosts the current leaders Northern Colorado. NCFC has cooled off a bit recently while the Hailstorm, and Golden Boot leader Trevor Amann, have charged up the table on an eleven-game undefeated streak.

Dan Creel Picks…
- North Carolina FC vs Northern Colorado Hailstorm - USL League One
  - Wednesday, July 26th - 4:00p PST / 7:00p EST
    from WakeMed Soccer Park on ESPN+
  - See Dan’s explanation above!

by the Protagonist Staff