With USL League One, USL Championship, UPSL, and NISA all underway this weekend - we have a jam-packed Protagonist Picks ‘Em to deliver! Once again our friends and staff come through with the must-catch matches of the week.

Jon Hunt Picks…
- SG Tormenta FC vs One Knox SC - USL League One
  - Friday, September 1st - 4:30p PST / 7:30p EST
    from Tormenta Stadium on ESPN+
  - Tormenta and Knoxville are both tied on 32 points, and sitting just outside the USL1 playoffs with Greenville 4 points ahead of them. Either side is going to be clawing for a victory in this one as both sides will play playoff teams before they meet again on September 23rd - who will come out on top?

MaryBeth Zmuda Picks…
- Maryland Bobcats vs Flower City Union - NISA
  - Saturday, September 2nd - 4:00p PST / 7:00p EST
    from Maureen Hendricks Field, Maryland SoccerPlex
  - Chattanooga and ALBION San Diego have been holding the fort down in the first and second place spots on the NISA table for a hot minute and the Maryland Bobcats have been gnashing their teeth in the third spot, being unable to move up. With Michigan breathing down their neck, (Both at 26 on the table and the stars have 3 in hand) a loss for the Bobcats is an absolute no go. Salt (Flower) City Union is a complete wild card when they play so Maryland fans will be on pins and needles for 90 minutes on Saturday - get your 🍿 ready!
    *Google says Flower City Union / Website says Salt City Union

Ben Brannigan Picks…
- Chattanooga Red Wolves SC vs Forward Madison - USL League One
  - Saturday, September 2nd - 4:30p PST / 7:30p EST
    from CHI Memorial Park on ESPN+
  - 5th v 11th - This game screams goals , Forward Madison needs to keep winning and Red Wolves would like to win again too - who doesn’t want to watch goals on Saturday evening?

Ben Brannigan Picks…
- Oakland Roots vs Sacramento Republic FC - USL Championship
  - Saturday, September 2nd - 7:00p PST / 10:00p EST
    from CSUEB Pioneer Stadium
  - 3rd v 5th - Head-to-head here has The Republic undefeated since 6/10/21 when the Roots won 2-1. Sacramento have won 3 from 5 since then with two ties. I smell goals again here and should be entertaining too.

Josh Duder Picks…
- Chiriaco FC vs San Fernando Valley FC - UPSL
  - Saturday, September 2nd - 6:00p PST / 9:00p EST
    from Lake Forest Sports Park (Field A)
  - San Fernando Valley are sitting in first place after a big 4-1 win last week. They are set to travel away to Chiriaco FC, who also won last week and were the only team in the 2023 Spring / Summer season to win all of their regular season games. They narrowly lost in the playoffs and are looking to set that straight.

Kaylor Hodges Picks…
- San Diego Loyal SC vs Birmingham Legion - USL Championship
  - Sunday, September 3rd - 3:00p PST / 6:00p EST
    from Torero Stadium on ESPN+
  - In their first game at home since the announcement of folding, San Diego Loyal will return back to sunny California. What is bound to be an emotional homecoming for fans, players, and front office will come against a floundering Birmingham Legion side. With the beginning of saying ‘goodbye’ to a beloved club coinciding with a holiday weekend, it is bound to be a special day out at Torero Stadium. On top of this, each team’s strengths play perfectly into the other’s weakness. Which team will crack first? It will be a must watch.

Jon Hunt Picks…
- Chattanooga FC vs Los Angeles Force - NISA
  - Sunday, September 3rd - 4:00p PST / 7:00p EST
    from Finley Stadium
  - CFC are the only unbeaten professional side in all of America’s fully professional leagues and sit atop the NISA table with a 9 point gap between 2nd place. Can they continue their dominance against 5th place LA?

Josh Duder Picks…
- Deportivo Rose City vs St John’s FC - UPSL
  - Sunday, September 3rd - 2:00pm PST / 5:00pm EST from Eastside Timber Complex, Portland, OR
  - Both teams look to rebound after week 1 losses to Washington opponents - Deportivo Rose City will host St Johns in a Portland Derby at the Eastside Timbers Complex - there’s seating and sometimes good Mexican food on the sideline. If you’re local and looking for a fun soccer game to go to before the rain really starts to fall again, I suggest you get out there!

by the Protagonist Staff