Circle the Date: USL W League, 2024 Season

May 11, 2024 by Joshua Duder

The USL’s own W League is headed into its third full season and the strong have only become stronger; the league has become bigger; and there is so much more at stake. With the USL Super League in the offing, opportunities for players to make the transition from amateur to professional have never been more plentiful and opportunities for successful coaches to make their mark and be offered the chance to not only get paid to do what they love, but to make a career of it, are in the balance.

A Decade of Dedication

May 10, 2024 by Dan Vaughn

Year four of the Common’s existence is a sentimental one for the small, but the loudest, part of the fanbase, marking ten years of soccer since Lansing United’s 2014 debut in NPSL. The 2014 Great Lakes West Champions would eventually fall in the National Semi-Finals to the New York Red Bulls U-23s, the eventual NPSL National Champions. Five different leagues and three different clubs have been serenaded by this core group of diehards through the decade. Although the colors and the names have changed, this group has continued to be, Lansing First.

by Rich Schneck

Lane United & Hummel Fight Cancer with Kits

May 10, 2024 by Joshua Duder

When Coach John Galas got the call, he was a man of two minds - taking care of himself and combating cancer, but also continuing to prepare his club during the offseason, for the big year ahead. During his darkest days, Hummel had John in their hearts and minds, they reached out to the club with the idea to raise awareness of his fight against the rare Synovial Sarcoma the only way they knew how.

by Josh Duder

MPLS City Announce Minnesota Made

May 09, 2024 by Dan Vaughn

In the world of amateur soccer, rosters are full of players not making a penny for their sweat and hard work. Minneapolis City announced a new NIL collective that will benefit its players by sharing 20% of sales on its new merchandise line, Minnesota Made. The deal appears to be the first of its kind in USL League Two.

by Dan Vaughn

Circle the Date: USL League Two, 2024 Season

May 09, 2024 by Joshua Duder

The soccer season just got better! Sure, the top two professional USL men’s leagues have been underway for a few months and the US Open Cup has just wrapped up the Round of 32… but its really the launch of the amateur leagues which signal that the summer of soccer is upon us.

Our writers and favorite contributors take a close look at the biggest storylines in USL League Two; will the legends of amateur soccer find their way to the playoffs yet again; what young organizations will upturn the apple carts this season; and who will look the best doing it?

Three Lessons from the Round of 32

May 09, 2024 by Dan Vaughn

The Round of 32 delivered in every way, continuing a run that has left soccer fans thrilled for the US Open Cup. Golazos galore and a couple of upsets made this round a pleasure to watch, but what I’m focusing on is what did we learn from this year’s Round of 32.

by Dan Vaughn

W League 3 + 1

May 07, 2024 by Dan Vaughn

Each week we recap 3 of the best matches from the previous week, then preview 1 of the upcoming week’s matches. Hence the name, 3+1 (granted, this week in the W-League, we only had two matches). We kicked off the USL W League season this week and have plenty to celebrate!

by Dan Vaughn

NPSL 3 + 1

May 07, 2024 by Dan Vaughn

With the big amateur leagues back in the swing of things, we’re bringing back our 3+1 series. Each week we’ll recap 3 of the best NPSL matches from the previous week, then preview 1 of the upcoming week’s matches. Hence the name, 3+1! Here’s this week’s edition.

by Dan Vaughn

Circle the Date: 2024 US Open Cup, Round of 32

May 07, 2024 by Joshua Duder

The Round of 32 in the US Open Cup is upon us - we’ve followed our favorite amateur teams, underdogs, and Cinderella stories so far and this week Major League Soccer enters the fray. Our writers and guests take a look at the matchups and give you quick hits about who to look out for or what the vibes are so far. Who will be the big story after this week - who will provide the cupsets!

by Protagonist Staff and Guest Contributors

Under the Lights: Emporia FC (UPSL)

May 06, 2024 by Joshua Duder

With the UPSL season well-underway, we were fortunate to have Emporia FC’s Director of Communications, Gabe Diaz-Serrano, reply to our request for an Under the Lights article. He was generous with his time and answered all of our questions about the club in the Midwest South Division of the United Premier Soccer League.

by Joshua Duder