In the dead of winter there is still plenty of soccer and we’re still out here watching it! Once again, our writers and friends tell you what they’re paying attention to this weekend and briefly why its important or interesting. Let’s get stuck into to some of Protagonist’s Weekend Previews.

Josh Duder Picks…
- FC Folsom vs Bellevue Athletic in UPSL, Playoffs
  - Sat, 01/11 - 5:00pm PT / 8:00pm ET
    at Folsom Lake College in Folsom, CA
  - The Round of 16 wraps up with Washington’s conference winner, Bellevue Athletic FC, travelling to take on the conference winner from the NorCal North. Folsom went undefeated this fall/winter with 9 wins and a draw and followed conference play up with a big 3-2 win in the Round of 32 to advance. They now face an equally unbeaten team who knocked out Oregon’s top team, in the first round, to get to this point. Both teams can score in bunches - expect goals!

Ben Brannigan Picks…
- Dallas Athletico vs Warriors United in Metroplex Premier League, Championship Final
  - Sat, 01/11 - 8:15pm CT / 9:15pm ET
    at Allen Training & Health in Allen, TX
  - We have reached the final of the MPL Fall season for 2024. Two well deserving teams will be involved here too , who both have had very strong seasons. Dallas Athletico beat Walia FC in the semi finals last week in very cold conditions on a score line of 2-1.
    Warriors United FC beat I&I FC on a score line of 3-2 last week also.
    This will be well worth attending and getting to on Saturday evening. Showcasing the best of dfw soccer talent , they have all played well all season and now have a chance to top it off with some deserved silverware. Both teams are solid at the back and have creative players in the middle and some very good attackers too. All the ingredients are in the mix for a top quality game . Best of luck to both teams . Well done to MPL and rest of clubs for an awesome season too.

Josh Duder Picks…
- Susserfuss-Ballverein vs Cincinnati Sirens in MASL W, Regular Season
  - Sat, 01/11 - 7:30pm PT / 10:30pm ET
    at Akron Indoor Soccer, Inc.
  - Three games into the season, and three wins each for the first place and second place, respectively, in the Great Lakes South Division. Juli Knapp leads Susserfuss with 5 goals from 2 games played and Morgan Ross has provided 4 assists in that time as well (as stats reflect on 1/10). Don’t blink or either Mackenzie Rent or Macy Reep will score on you for Sirens - they have 9 goals and 2 assists between them, also in their first three games.
    This game could set the pace for the rest of the schedule for both teams, either as the division leaders or as the chasers, until they meet again on March 22nd in Fairfield, OH.

Josh Duder Picks…
- Texas Outlaws vs MKE Wave in MASL, Regular Season
  - Sat, 01/11 - 7:05pm CT / 8:05pm ET
    at Mesquite Arena in Mesquite, TX
  - It’s been a surprisingly tough start to the season for Outlaws, who are 0-4 and have given up 46 goals so far. The good news is, that’s not the worst goals allowed in the league and they did suffer a double-does of Savage on a recent away trip (whom they will not face again in the regular season).
    Head Coach, Ed Puskarich gets a fresh start to the season when Outlaws host Milwaukee Wave this weekend but its hardly and easy matchup either. The Wave are off to a great start as they sit third in the table with 5 wins from 7 played and a +14 GD. Alex Sanchez accounts for 7 of those goals, along with 8 assists for a team high 15 pts. Ian Bennett will also be tough to contain, with 9 goals of his own.

Michael Battista Picks…
- Kensington SC vs Salone FC in EPSL, Regular Season
  - Sun, 01/12- 11:30am PT / 2:30pm ET
    at James J. Ramp Athletic Complex in Philadelphia, PA
  - What’s the best way to celebrate after announcing you’re joining The League For Clubs in 2025? If you said by playing the last place, winless team in your conference the same weekend as a purported snow storm, then buddy you might want to sign up for Kensington! The home side is currently fourth in the Delaware River Conference and need to keep pace in the Spring if they want one of the four playoff spots.

Josh Duder Picks…
- Current FC vs Little Haiti FC in UPSL, Playoffs
  - Sun, 01/12 - 2:00pm PT / 5:00pm ET
    at New Smyrna Beach Football Stadium in New Smyrna Beach, FL
  - Little Haiti FC finished 6th in the Florida South Conference; with just 6 wins from 13 played and only scoring 21 goals all year. On the other hand, they only allowed 14 goals during the regular season, with only more than 2 against in a game once. They take their strong defense on the road to face Current FC, who finished 4th in their Florida Central Conference - they had a similar season, with only 6 wins from 10. Current FC kept it pretty tight for the most part, but there were a couple of games that got away from them. This game could come down to who scores the first, and only, goal.

by Protagonist Staff and Guests