Our favorite writers and guests are back at it again - digging deep into some local soccer you should get stuck into this weekend. If you are near the Garden State Soccer League, Cosmopolitan Soccer League, Metroplex Premier League, or the SoCal Premier League, you should absolutely try to check these grassroots games out! We also have the ongoing national leagues; the USL Super League and the UPSL are going great guns too!

Ben Brannigan Picks…
- Lima Soccer Academy vs Threat FC in UPSL
  - Sat, 09/21 - 7:00pm CT / 8:00pm ET
    at Prince of Peace on 4004 Midway RD in Carrollton, TX
  - Two newcomers to the ranks in the UPSL, Texas; The Threat FC fell to Villareal North Texas last week 1-0, so they be looking to bounce back Saturday night. Lima Soccer Academy beat Hurst FC 2-0 last time out so they be out to keep their 100% record. Should be a good game both well-coached teams and great organizations too, get out and watch at POPCS in Carrollton.

Michael Battista Picks…
- FanDuel FC vs Desportiva Sociedad Fury in Cosmopolitan Soccer League
  - Sun, 09/22 - 8:15am PT / 11:15am ET
    at Randalls Island - Field 90
  - On one hand, gambling integration in sports has arguably been a bane (in my opinion) and the Premier League’s upcoming ban on those companies being front of kit sponsors is a good thing. On the other hand, almost this entire roster works at FanDuel according to LinkedIn and company teams are exactly what the CSL was founded on over 100 years ago. FanDuel FC look for a third straight win against last season’s Division 4 wooden spoon winner, Desportiva Sociedad Fury.

John Howard-Fusco Picks…
- Internacional FC vs Englewood Red Devils in The Garden State Soccer League, Championship A North Division
  - Sun, 09/22 - 7:00am PT / 10:00am ET
    at Grace Buckley Park, Paterson NJ,
  - The Garden State Soccer League is back for a new season! Or, at least the league is letting the general public know there are games being played. Internacional and Red Devils have started their 2024-25 campaigns with a win and sit with two other clubs atop the division. An early key matchup? Could be.

Josh Duder Picks…
- Beaverton FC vs Deportivo Rose City in UPSL
  - Sun, 09/22 - 7:30pm PT / 10:30pm ET
    at Tualatin HS in Tualatin, OR
  - Enter Fall 2024 - two played, and two wins for the Oregon Spring Season Champions, Deportivo Rose City. In week one they blew away Forest Grove 9-1 and last week beat newcomers Rip City FC 4-1. This week they go on the road to take on Beaverton FC who have not yet begun their season. Last time these two met, Beaverton knocked Depo out of the UPSL Playoffs, winning 2-0 on the road. In three attempts, DRC have not been able to score more than a goal against this stout defense - can Beaverton shut down they high-scoring visitors or will Deportivo Rose City put up 3, 4, or 5 goals as they seek revenge?

Dan Vaughn Picks…
- Spokane Zephyr FC vs DC Power FC in USL Super League
  - Sun, 09/22 - 2:00pm PT / 5:00pm ET
    at One Spokane Stadium in Spokane, WA
  - DC Power is still searching for its first win of the season and are set to face a Spokane squad desperate to right its own ship. Power’s attack has plenty of pop and should find a way to get 3 points.

Dennis Pope Picks…
- Playmaker FC vs Buena Park FC in SoCal Premier League
  - Sun, 09/22 - 8:15pm PT / 11:15pm ET
    at O.C. Great Park Field 13 in Irvine, CA
  - The final match of Opening Weekend in the SoCal Premier League, Playmaker FC hosts Buena Park FC in a rematch of last season’s 2nd Division Final. Playmaker FC won that match, 4-3, back in June and looks to maintain momentum heading into the Qualifying Rounds of the 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Buena Park FC returns to the 1st Division for the first time since 2019.

Ben Brannigan Picks…
- Real Independiente vs Dallas Deportivo Central
  in Metroplex Premier League
  - Sun, 09/22 - 2:30pm CT / 3:30pm ET
    at Gateway Park Field #4 on 1st Street in Fort Worth, TX
  - Real Independiente won last time out 3-1 and are looking to keep pace at top of the early standings with Sporting NTX Vagos and IandI FC, who also won last week . Dallas Deportivo Central suffered defeat in their first game so be looking to bounce back this sunday. Sneaky good game on tap here is definitely worth watching Sunday afternoon.
by the Protagonist Staff