Just wanted to jot a few thoughts down about last weekend’s USASA Amateur Cup Final. The weekend kicked off on Thursday with the men’s semifinals and continued through Sunday when the women’s Amateur Cup champion was crowned. We really focused on the men’s side of the event in our coverage, with myself and Adnan Bašić doing the heavy lifting on the writing. Adnan made two trips out to Dekalb to be there in person for the men’s semifinals and finals.

I realized that investing time and energy into an event that isn’t generally focused on by the public can be a losing game. But that didn’t mean we shouldn’t cover the event. And honestly, next year I want to expand our coverage to the women’s side as well. The USASA Amateur Cup should be the highlight of the domestic amateur soccer scene, so we should cover it accordingly.

I know there’s plenty of things to hate about the way soccer works in the United States. Promise you, I probably hear more of the bad things than most people. But watching these matches play out, between some of the best amateur programs in the country, was such a pleasure. It’s why we founded Protagonist Soccer seven years ago and it’s why we continue to push out content focused on the players, coaches, and owners of these tiny clubs from around the country who keep grinding in this sport.

It’s easy to get lost in the sauce of infighting, exploitation, disheartened fans, structural unfairness, failures of leadership, the list goes on and on. I can tell you that the stories that get the most clicks every year are the ones focused on abuse and mismanagement, when the worst of the sport is on display. People eat it up, sure, but it’s a rotten diet that will kill your love of the sport. Equally focusing on the positive side of the sport is a worthy goal we should all strive for.

So let me just say, congratulations to the two new champions of amateur soccer, New York Pancyprian Freedoms and Pan World Elite WFC. It’s amazing to see the hard work pay off for these two clubs. Let’s also not forget the other six clubs that qualified for the semifinals and deserve celebration, finishing in the final four is an impressive accomplishment that should also be acknowledged. Success in this game deserves recognition and a moment of positivity is a moment well-spent.

- Dan Vaughn