Lower Tier Soccer | Top Tier Coverage
Protagonist soccer is a media organization dedicated to lower-tier soccer; UPSL, NPSL, BSSL
After a draw at home last weekend, Gotham FC can still earn their first NWSL Shield, but will miss out on breaking KC Current’s points total from last year. With three games left in the regular season, Gotham have to go on the road and hold off a surging San Diego.
Words by Joshua Duder
Photos by Mark Mincolelli
Author Stephen Brandt joins Protagonist to perform club-by-club retrospective of the original NASL. In an epilogue of his look into the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers, he briefly traces their move to Minnesota and their final years as a club.
by Stephen Brandt
Read MoreBrett gives us an update on the state of Indy Eleven - Indy Eleven make 6 transactions as they look to strengthen their playoff push. Indy beats Louisville City for the first time since 2022, and gets their first road win at Jacksonville.
by Brett Mullenix
Read MoreHickory FC, founded in 2023, winners of NPSL in 2025, then moved to USL League 2 in 2026. The North Carolina-based club is headed in an upward trajectory and Jonathan Rink, VP of Operations, was able to answer our questions.
by Joshua Duder
Read MoreWith the season going full throttle, Forward Madison and the Richmond Kickers clash once again for the 21st iteration of the Henny Derby. This year, the Mingos are reloaded and their position as a playoff contender is a lot more certain - photographer Jessica Hendricks was there to share her amazing photos with us.
by Joshua Duder
Read MoreThis Kansas City based club get their name directly from the nickname for the city, The City of Fountains, and is both a celebration of the city the love and a non-profit promise to build a sustainable club from scratch. Co-founder, Landon Hinkley, made himself available to share their story.
by Joshua Duder
Read MoreWhile Geranium City is backed by Georgia Revolution and shares many common values, it was built to have an identity to call its own. Propped up by Community and Opportunity, President of the club, Sadie Morrison tells us why that is so important and where this brand new club is headed.
by Joshua Duder
Read MorePensacola FC are just the second-ever champions of The League for Clubs, who held their National Finals at the end of July. In beating Iron Rose FC, 1-0, in the Final, Pensacola are also the first team from TLFC to be automatically qualified for the First Round Proper of the USOC. While the rest of the league resets for 2027, the Norcal Teams will play their annual Fall Cup, in a Autumnal Sprint Season.
by Josh Duder
Read MoreUSL League One is about two thirds of the way through its 2026 season. So, it’s time to take a look at where all the teams are in their quest for the post-season. The format of the league’s regular season is a football purist’s dream: single table, 17 teams, and a home-and-home schedule. That means a 32-game season. After this weekend most teams have played right around 20 games.
by Dan Creel
Read MoreSan Francisco Vikings Soccer Club began play in 1922, a decade before the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge began. We have always wanted to know more about one of the longest running clubs in the United States and Lee Dunne, from the organization, was able to provide us every answer to our list of questions.
by Joshua Duder
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