We’ve seen a handful of grassroots soccer organizations drop out of our country’s most historic soccer contest recently, and we wanted to offer a slightly less prestigious opportunity for them to re-engage in an open cup contest. Introducing the inaugural Protagonist Soccer “Copa de Insignia,” a battle-of-the-badges, a cool-crest-contest if you will, for the ages… or at least for now. If you are an owner, coach, fan, or player of a non-MLS and non-NWSL team, who’s branding you believe to be top-notch then this contest is for you and your beloved badge.

To nominate a badge, it’s simple. Follow and tweet at @Protagonistpods with your nomination. Include #Copadeinsignias in your tweet and that badge is now added to the pile the staff will be sifting through for our 96. Following that account will also set you up for voting, so don’t forget the follow!

The contest is set to include 96 American crests from clubs who participate in a city, state, regional or non-MLS / non-NWSL national set-up. Copa de Insignias will kick off in earnest on Saturday, December 21st and all the lower league logos will be arranged in 32 groups of 3 and available to vote on through Protagonist Soccer’s Podcast’s Twitter handles. Group stages will end Christmas day, Wednesday the 25th and the knock-out rounds will begin on the 26th. The final is set for the last day of the year, culminating in an announcement of the winner of the Copa, and Badge of the Year just before midnight.

The Grand Prize winner will receive 50 3x3” die-cut stickers of their winning badge from Stickermule; the other three semi-finalists will receive a Protagonist Soccer Sticker pack, chock-full of all of their opponents’ badges in sticker form! All prizes will be distributed no less than 7-days after the winners are announced and all awards are final. In addition to no MLS and no NWSL we will also exclude any affiliated teams in other leagues. Keep your eyes peeled for the next contest which benefits the least desirable lower league branding! While Protagonist may not be able to solve the greater problems of soccer at this level, we can, at the very least try to have a fun time and celebrate the stunning logos, badges, crests, etc… which all of you amazing clubs have come up with!