Lower Tier Soccer | Top Tier Coverage
Protagonist soccer is a media organization dedicated to lower-tier soccer; UPSL, NPSL, BSSL
After an impressive but depressing run in NISA, former Maryland Bobcats forward Darwin Espinal begins 2025 in a new league with a new team, the Richmond Kickers. How his talent will measure up with the talent in USL League One remains to be seen, but he sat down with Protagonist to talk about his road to Richmond.
by Dan Vaughn
Read MoreTraveling for soccer is always rewarding but last week’s trip to the Henny Derby in Richmond was an all-timer. Dan revisits the city of Richmond and looks back on the week that was.
by Dan Vaughn
Read MoreIn Episode Ten we discuss the 2008 US Open Cup Final between The Charleston Battery and DC United with Protagonist Contributor and host of the Real Charleston Podcast, Del Shaffer. We also had co-host of Knights Who Say NISA and One League Under the C, board member of the Society for American Soccer Historians (SASH), and resident Protagonist Historian, Dan Creel on to discuss the legendary DC United and their state at the time of this game.
by Joshua Duder
Read MoreProtagonist Podcasts Presents: America’s Greatest is a podcast series co-hosted by several of Protagonist’s writers and podcasters. We explore the history and pedigree of the sport in the United States. In episode three we discuss the 1995 US Open Cup Final between The El Paso Patriots and Richmond Kickers with blogger and co-host of Walkin’ 90 Podcast, the Can I Kick It Podcast, and the River City 93 Podcast, Elliot Barr, aka Yogi.
by Joshua Duder
Read MoreThis is it! We’ve reached the final matchday of the 2023 USL League One season and there is still so much in the balance. The Players Shield and the two first round bye spots are still to be decided as well as the final positioning of 4th and 5th - it could go either way. Lastly, the 6th and final playoff spot has not been cemented and it’s gonna be bye bye birdie either way.
by Joshua Duder
Read MoreWe have now reached the PENULTIMATE match week. While the top four have clinched a playoff spot, their final positioning has yet to be determined; meanwhile, four clubs are playing musical chairs for the final two playoff spots - for one its a long shot, and for another its a looooong long shot, but it all hangs in the balance with just a couple games to go!
by Joshua Duder
Read MoreWith only three weeks left in the USL League One regular season, most of the playoff picture has been sorted - however, there are two spots up for grabs and four teams vying for contention. Can it be figured out this week? Additionally, there is the subject of the wooden spoon to discuss - so let’s get stuck in!
by Joshua Duder
Read MoreTop of the Table clashes and midtable battles this week will help make the playoff picture clearer - the matchdays are dwindling and those below the magic line are running out of time! However, no team is mathematically eliminated and in USL League One, anything can happen.
by Joshua Duder
Read MoreUSL League One is now headed into the home stretch of the regular season - some teams have 11 games left to punch their ticket to the playoffs and a few only have 8. We take a quick look into last weeks results and the games coming up this week.
by Joshua Duder
Read MoreSoccer culture in the United States is often criticized for being plastic, but the Henny Derby is as organic a rivalry as exists in the game. Founded by two friends, fans of USL League One clubs Richmond Kickers and Forward Madison, the Henny Derby is a unique and distinctly Black rivalry and one of the best in the American game.
by Dan Vaughn
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