Protagonist Soccer
@protagonistsoccer.bsky.social
Website and Podcast Channel dedicated to lower league soccer in the United States.
Tomorrow is the last day to cast your vote for Club of the Year.
Our Club of the Year voting is ongoing. Fans can choose between our five nominations for best lower league soccer club of the year. Cast your vote today!
www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/clu...
www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/clu...
December 30, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Tomorrow is the last day to cast your vote for Club of the Year.
🏆 The Top 25 Tops of 2025: Part One (25 to 15)
👕 In Part One, we explain the process, give you a list of notable exclusions, and start the countdown of this past year’s best US-based, club kits from the 2nd Division and below.
www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/top...
👕 In Part One, we explain the process, give you a list of notable exclusions, and start the countdown of this past year’s best US-based, club kits from the 2nd Division and below.
www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/top...
December 30, 2025 at 3:24 PM
🏆 The Top 25 Tops of 2025: Part One (25 to 15)
👕 In Part One, we explain the process, give you a list of notable exclusions, and start the countdown of this past year’s best US-based, club kits from the 2nd Division and below.
www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/top...
👕 In Part One, we explain the process, give you a list of notable exclusions, and start the countdown of this past year’s best US-based, club kits from the 2nd Division and below.
www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/top...
⬛️ How Nico Cantor Became Front and Center in US Soccer Broadcasting
▪️ @breakingthelines.com ’s Zach Lowy sits down with soccer broadcast journalist, Nico Cantor, and shares with us the story of how Nico landed in the soccer spotlight: www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/nic...
▪️ @breakingthelines.com ’s Zach Lowy sits down with soccer broadcast journalist, Nico Cantor, and shares with us the story of how Nico landed in the soccer spotlight: www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/nic...
December 29, 2025 at 8:44 PM
⬛️ How Nico Cantor Became Front and Center in US Soccer Broadcasting
▪️ @breakingthelines.com ’s Zach Lowy sits down with soccer broadcast journalist, Nico Cantor, and shares with us the story of how Nico landed in the soccer spotlight: www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/nic...
▪️ @breakingthelines.com ’s Zach Lowy sits down with soccer broadcast journalist, Nico Cantor, and shares with us the story of how Nico landed in the soccer spotlight: www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/nic...
⁉️ Who Are Ya!: Denton Diablos FC (USL L2 / Metroplex Prem)
▪️This is it. We’ve made it to the final Who Are Ya of 2025 and what a club to close out the season with! We catch up with the former NPSL champs to find out how they plan on conquering USL League 2 www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/who...
▪️This is it. We’ve made it to the final Who Are Ya of 2025 and what a club to close out the season with! We catch up with the former NPSL champs to find out how they plan on conquering USL League 2 www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/who...
December 29, 2025 at 3:24 PM
⁉️ Who Are Ya!: Denton Diablos FC (USL L2 / Metroplex Prem)
▪️This is it. We’ve made it to the final Who Are Ya of 2025 and what a club to close out the season with! We catch up with the former NPSL champs to find out how they plan on conquering USL League 2 www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/who...
▪️This is it. We’ve made it to the final Who Are Ya of 2025 and what a club to close out the season with! We catch up with the former NPSL champs to find out how they plan on conquering USL League 2 www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/who...
🦩Birds of a Feather patches have arrived!
🐦⬛ 100% of proceeds will go to charities local to, and chosen by, the clubs.
💻 Check out our shop to learn more about this set:
▪️ @forwardmadisonfc.bsky.social
▪️ TLH Reckoning
▪️ Rochester FC MN
▪️ Febre Amarela FC
www.protagonistsoccer.com/shop/birds-o...
🐦⬛ 100% of proceeds will go to charities local to, and chosen by, the clubs.
💻 Check out our shop to learn more about this set:
▪️ @forwardmadisonfc.bsky.social
▪️ TLH Reckoning
▪️ Rochester FC MN
▪️ Febre Amarela FC
www.protagonistsoccer.com/shop/birds-o...
December 28, 2025 at 12:07 AM
🦩Birds of a Feather patches have arrived!
🐦⬛ 100% of proceeds will go to charities local to, and chosen by, the clubs.
💻 Check out our shop to learn more about this set:
▪️ @forwardmadisonfc.bsky.social
▪️ TLH Reckoning
▪️ Rochester FC MN
▪️ Febre Amarela FC
www.protagonistsoccer.com/shop/birds-o...
🐦⬛ 100% of proceeds will go to charities local to, and chosen by, the clubs.
💻 Check out our shop to learn more about this set:
▪️ @forwardmadisonfc.bsky.social
▪️ TLH Reckoning
▪️ Rochester FC MN
▪️ Febre Amarela FC
www.protagonistsoccer.com/shop/birds-o...
🦜Birds of a Feather patches have arrived!
🐦🔥100% of proceeds will go to charities local to, and chosen by, the clubs.
💻 Check out our shop to learn more about this set:
▪️ @tormentafc.bsky.social
▪️ @rgvredcrowns.bsky.social
▪️ @austinrisefc.bsky.social
▪️SpamFC
www.protagonistsoccer.com/shop/birds-o...
🐦🔥100% of proceeds will go to charities local to, and chosen by, the clubs.
💻 Check out our shop to learn more about this set:
▪️ @tormentafc.bsky.social
▪️ @rgvredcrowns.bsky.social
▪️ @austinrisefc.bsky.social
▪️SpamFC
www.protagonistsoccer.com/shop/birds-o...
December 27, 2025 at 11:47 PM
🦜Birds of a Feather patches have arrived!
🐦🔥100% of proceeds will go to charities local to, and chosen by, the clubs.
💻 Check out our shop to learn more about this set:
▪️ @tormentafc.bsky.social
▪️ @rgvredcrowns.bsky.social
▪️ @austinrisefc.bsky.social
▪️SpamFC
www.protagonistsoccer.com/shop/birds-o...
🐦🔥100% of proceeds will go to charities local to, and chosen by, the clubs.
💻 Check out our shop to learn more about this set:
▪️ @tormentafc.bsky.social
▪️ @rgvredcrowns.bsky.social
▪️ @austinrisefc.bsky.social
▪️SpamFC
www.protagonistsoccer.com/shop/birds-o...
Reposted by Protagonist Soccer
a.co/d/1Gh4Wjs a last minute gift? My book on @supverpsv.bsky.social @joshuaduder.bsky.social @beyond90.bsky.social @protagonistsoccer.bsky.social
Amazon.com: PSV Eindhoven: When They Became Great eBook : Brandt, Stephen: Kindle Store
Buy PSV Eindhoven: When They Became Great: Read Kindle Store Reviews - Amazon.com
a.co
December 24, 2025 at 5:48 PM
a.co/d/1Gh4Wjs a last minute gift? My book on @supverpsv.bsky.social @joshuaduder.bsky.social @beyond90.bsky.social @protagonistsoccer.bsky.social
⚫️ Planting the Seeds (Revisited)
▪️Being a fan in soccer is more than just the drums, the chants, and the smoke. It’s about connecting to a club at a personal level and making it a part of who you are as a person.
by @517tifonerd.bsky.social
www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/liv...
▪️Being a fan in soccer is more than just the drums, the chants, and the smoke. It’s about connecting to a club at a personal level and making it a part of who you are as a person.
by @517tifonerd.bsky.social
www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/liv...
December 26, 2025 at 3:45 PM
⚫️ Planting the Seeds (Revisited)
▪️Being a fan in soccer is more than just the drums, the chants, and the smoke. It’s about connecting to a club at a personal level and making it a part of who you are as a person.
by @517tifonerd.bsky.social
www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/liv...
▪️Being a fan in soccer is more than just the drums, the chants, and the smoke. It’s about connecting to a club at a personal level and making it a part of who you are as a person.
by @517tifonerd.bsky.social
www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/liv...
⚫️ Kicking Back: The History of The Philadelphia Fury - Part Two
▪️ @stephencbrandt.bsky.social continues his journey through NASL history. In this set of retrospective articles, we explore the brief history of the Philadelphia Fury and this is part two. www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/kic...
▪️ @stephencbrandt.bsky.social continues his journey through NASL history. In this set of retrospective articles, we explore the brief history of the Philadelphia Fury and this is part two. www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/kic...
Kicking Back: The History of The Philadelphia Fury - Part Two — Protagonist Soccer
Author of multiple soccer books and articles, Stephen Brandt continues his journey through NASL history for Protagonist Soccer. In this set of retrospective articles, we explore the brief history of t...
www.protagonistsoccer.com
December 24, 2025 at 3:01 PM
⚫️ Kicking Back: The History of The Philadelphia Fury - Part Two
▪️ @stephencbrandt.bsky.social continues his journey through NASL history. In this set of retrospective articles, we explore the brief history of the Philadelphia Fury and this is part two. www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/kic...
▪️ @stephencbrandt.bsky.social continues his journey through NASL history. In this set of retrospective articles, we explore the brief history of the Philadelphia Fury and this is part two. www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/kic...
⬛️ Renato Paiva Opens Up to Protagonist Soccer:
▪️ @breakingthelines.com’ Zach Lowy has a candid conversation with the Portuguese coach, Renato Paiva, about growing up under dictatorship, becoming a coach with Benfica, & managing futbol sides in South America. www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/ren...
▪️ @breakingthelines.com’ Zach Lowy has a candid conversation with the Portuguese coach, Renato Paiva, about growing up under dictatorship, becoming a coach with Benfica, & managing futbol sides in South America. www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/ren...
Renato Paiva Opens Up to Protagonist Soccer — Protagonist Soccer
Breaking the Lines’ Zach Lowy has a candid conversation with the Portuguese coach, Renato Paiva, about growing up under dictatorship, becoming a coach with Benfica, and managing futbol sides in South ...
www.protagonistsoccer.com
December 23, 2025 at 3:26 PM
⬛️ Renato Paiva Opens Up to Protagonist Soccer:
▪️ @breakingthelines.com’ Zach Lowy has a candid conversation with the Portuguese coach, Renato Paiva, about growing up under dictatorship, becoming a coach with Benfica, & managing futbol sides in South America. www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/ren...
▪️ @breakingthelines.com’ Zach Lowy has a candid conversation with the Portuguese coach, Renato Paiva, about growing up under dictatorship, becoming a coach with Benfica, & managing futbol sides in South America. www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/ren...
⁉️ Who Are Ya!: Lubbock Matadors (USLL2)
▪️There are thousands of soccer teams in the US systems; we love finding clubs, getting to know them and then sharing that with you
▪️ @lubbockmatadors.bsky.social is a team we’ve been hoping to learn about for a while! www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/who...
▪️There are thousands of soccer teams in the US systems; we love finding clubs, getting to know them and then sharing that with you
▪️ @lubbockmatadors.bsky.social is a team we’ve been hoping to learn about for a while! www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/who...
December 22, 2025 at 4:05 PM
⁉️ Who Are Ya!: Lubbock Matadors (USLL2)
▪️There are thousands of soccer teams in the US systems; we love finding clubs, getting to know them and then sharing that with you
▪️ @lubbockmatadors.bsky.social is a team we’ve been hoping to learn about for a while! www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/who...
▪️There are thousands of soccer teams in the US systems; we love finding clubs, getting to know them and then sharing that with you
▪️ @lubbockmatadors.bsky.social is a team we’ve been hoping to learn about for a while! www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/who...
Reposted by Protagonist Soccer
Interested in making a difference in NYC? Want to help uplift our most vulnerable neighbors in 2026?
Be like Mike from @nyintfc.bsky.social
Get yourself a coffee and sign up
⬇️⬇️⬇️
www.evloves.nyc/volunteer/
@jdnalton.bsky.social
@danfrompasco.bsky.social
@protagonistsoccer.bsky.social
Be like Mike from @nyintfc.bsky.social
Get yourself a coffee and sign up
⬇️⬇️⬇️
www.evloves.nyc/volunteer/
@jdnalton.bsky.social
@danfrompasco.bsky.social
@protagonistsoccer.bsky.social
December 22, 2025 at 12:53 AM
Interested in making a difference in NYC? Want to help uplift our most vulnerable neighbors in 2026?
Be like Mike from @nyintfc.bsky.social
Get yourself a coffee and sign up
⬇️⬇️⬇️
www.evloves.nyc/volunteer/
@jdnalton.bsky.social
@danfrompasco.bsky.social
@protagonistsoccer.bsky.social
Be like Mike from @nyintfc.bsky.social
Get yourself a coffee and sign up
⬇️⬇️⬇️
www.evloves.nyc/volunteer/
@jdnalton.bsky.social
@danfrompasco.bsky.social
@protagonistsoccer.bsky.social
Our Club of the Year voting is ongoing. Fans can choose between our five nominations for best lower league soccer club of the year. Cast your vote today!
www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/clu...
www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/clu...
December 21, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Our Club of the Year voting is ongoing. Fans can choose between our five nominations for best lower league soccer club of the year. Cast your vote today!
www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/clu...
www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/clu...
The final nominee for club of the year is USL League One champion @oneknoxsc.bsky.social. The team dominated the regular season and the playoffs and earned a trophy in their fourth year of operation.
www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/202...
www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/202...
2025 Club of the Year Nomination: One Knoxville — Protagonist Soccer
In year four of the One Knoxville project, the team delivered Tennessee a USL League One Championship. The domination extended through the regular season and into the playoffs, One Knoxville was the b...
www.protagonistsoccer.com
December 20, 2025 at 10:45 PM
The final nominee for club of the year is USL League One champion @oneknoxsc.bsky.social. The team dominated the regular season and the playoffs and earned a trophy in their fourth year of operation.
www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/202...
www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/202...
👕 Fifty + nominees have been added to a google doc for a panel made up from 6 of our kit-nerdiest friends to rank.
📊 The average ranking will be determinrd and the Top 25 Tops of 2025 will be revealed December 29th & 30th.
Who’s your 2025 Top Top?
📊 The average ranking will be determinrd and the Top 25 Tops of 2025 will be revealed December 29th & 30th.
Who’s your 2025 Top Top?
December 20, 2025 at 8:57 PM
👕 Fifty + nominees have been added to a google doc for a panel made up from 6 of our kit-nerdiest friends to rank.
📊 The average ranking will be determinrd and the Top 25 Tops of 2025 will be revealed December 29th & 30th.
Who’s your 2025 Top Top?
📊 The average ranking will be determinrd and the Top 25 Tops of 2025 will be revealed December 29th & 30th.
Who’s your 2025 Top Top?
Reposted by Protagonist Soccer
Offseason mode is on in Richmond. 🔴⚽
New River City 93 is live — coaching changes, MLS Draft news, schedule drop, and new Kickers signings.
The rebuild starts now. 🎧
👉 www.rivercity93.com/rebuilding-t...
#UpTheKickers #RebuildingTheRed
New River City 93 is live — coaching changes, MLS Draft news, schedule drop, and new Kickers signings.
The rebuild starts now. 🎧
👉 www.rivercity93.com/rebuilding-t...
#UpTheKickers #RebuildingTheRed
Rebuilding the Roos
On Rebuilding the Roos, we kick off the Richmond Kickers offseason by recapping the final standings and reviewing key offseason developments. We talk through Coach …
www.rivercity93.com
December 19, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Offseason mode is on in Richmond. 🔴⚽
New River City 93 is live — coaching changes, MLS Draft news, schedule drop, and new Kickers signings.
The rebuild starts now. 🎧
👉 www.rivercity93.com/rebuilding-t...
#UpTheKickers #RebuildingTheRed
New River City 93 is live — coaching changes, MLS Draft news, schedule drop, and new Kickers signings.
The rebuild starts now. 🎧
👉 www.rivercity93.com/rebuilding-t...
#UpTheKickers #RebuildingTheRed
We got our Hearts of Pine book in the mail yesterday. This thing is beautiful!
shop.heartsofpine.com/products/boo...
shop.heartsofpine.com/products/boo...
The Portland Hearts of Pine Book
This must-have keepsake is a collection of stories, photographs, and original artworks chronicling the launch of Portland Hearts of Pine. Spanning 350 pages, this book weaves together perspectives fr...
shop.heartsofpine.com
December 19, 2025 at 12:13 PM
We got our Hearts of Pine book in the mail yesterday. This thing is beautiful!
shop.heartsofpine.com/products/boo...
shop.heartsofpine.com/products/boo...
Reposted by Protagonist Soccer
As we talk about the top end of women's soccer players and speak in millions, another FIFPRO study reminds of the realities of global minimum standards:
66% of players make <$20K
25% have outside jobs
33% have contract of <1 year
22% have no contract
The study:
www.fifpro.org/en/articles/...
66% of players make <$20K
25% have outside jobs
33% have contract of <1 year
22% have no contract
The study:
www.fifpro.org/en/articles/...
Latest FIFPRO player survey highlights growth in some confederations – but players feel current gaps still need addressed
A FIFPRO survey which collected responses from 383 footballers from over 40 nations who competed in this year’s women’s confederation championships provides an illustration of how players experience t...
www.fifpro.org
December 18, 2025 at 3:47 PM
As we talk about the top end of women's soccer players and speak in millions, another FIFPRO study reminds of the realities of global minimum standards:
66% of players make <$20K
25% have outside jobs
33% have contract of <1 year
22% have no contract
The study:
www.fifpro.org/en/articles/...
66% of players make <$20K
25% have outside jobs
33% have contract of <1 year
22% have no contract
The study:
www.fifpro.org/en/articles/...
If you missed the first printing of our "Tales of New York" zine, we're doing a short second run. Quantity will be very limited, so order while the pre-order is open.
www.protagonistsoccer.com/shop/rdli1h4...
www.protagonistsoccer.com/shop/rdli1h4...
PRE-ORDER - SECOND PRINTING of The Protagonist Soccer Zine: Issue One, "Tales of New York." — Protagonist Soccer
Who Says Print Is Dead!? Not us, after nearly a ten years of interviews, articles, and podcasts about your favorite leagues and clubs, we’re fulfilling a longtime dream of publishing a soccer zine. B...
www.protagonistsoccer.com
December 18, 2025 at 1:37 PM
If you missed the first printing of our "Tales of New York" zine, we're doing a short second run. Quantity will be very limited, so order while the pre-order is open.
www.protagonistsoccer.com/shop/rdli1h4...
www.protagonistsoccer.com/shop/rdli1h4...
The women's side of the Edgewater Castle program took one of the best dressed teams in the country to the next level, winning an Illinois state title and UWS Championship in 2025.
www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/202...
www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/202...
2025 Club of the Year Nomination: Edgewater Castle — Protagonist Soccer
Watching Edgewater Castle grow into a national powerhouse is the sort of thing that makes covering lower league soccer rewarding. In 2025, the women’s program delivered a state title and the UWS Natio...
www.protagonistsoccer.com
December 18, 2025 at 1:29 PM
The women's side of the Edgewater Castle program took one of the best dressed teams in the country to the next level, winning an Illinois state title and UWS Championship in 2025.
www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/202...
www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/202...
Reposted by Protagonist Soccer
If you’re looking for stocking stuffers or just cool stuff to include in a gift, check out @calyxworks.com!!
He’s a stickler for great design and quality production, you won’t be disappointed. Discount ends tomorrow!
He’s a stickler for great design and quality production, you won’t be disappointed. Discount ends tomorrow!
Okay, okay – this is the LAST TIME I'm gonna be annoying you with this for 2025.
The holiday sale ends tomorrow. Pins, patches and stickers ordered by then will still arrive for Xmas. 💚Antifascism, Portland Soccer, and Kaiju, more or less!
calyxworks.com
The holiday sale ends tomorrow. Pins, patches and stickers ordered by then will still arrive for Xmas. 💚Antifascism, Portland Soccer, and Kaiju, more or less!
calyxworks.com
December 18, 2025 at 2:52 AM
If you’re looking for stocking stuffers or just cool stuff to include in a gift, check out @calyxworks.com!!
He’s a stickler for great design and quality production, you won’t be disappointed. Discount ends tomorrow!
He’s a stickler for great design and quality production, you won’t be disappointed. Discount ends tomorrow!
Maybe the most obvious nomination for Club of the Year, @vermontgreenfc.bsky.social The champions of USL League Two continued their growth, making their matches the hottest tickets in Vermont.
www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/202...
www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/202...
2025 Club of the Year Nomination: Vermont Green — Protagonist Soccer
Vermont Green, the darlings of lower league soccer. The team so sweet, it’s impossible to hate them. Another spectacular year of growth, but this time with a national crown to top it off.
by Dan Vaug...
www.protagonistsoccer.com
December 17, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Maybe the most obvious nomination for Club of the Year, @vermontgreenfc.bsky.social The champions of USL League Two continued their growth, making their matches the hottest tickets in Vermont.
www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/202...
www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/202...
🦅🎙️ Tomorrow @joshuaduder.bsky.social & @jhowardfusco.bsky.social record an America’s Greatest ep with guest @markfishkin.bsky.social of @seeingredny.bsky.social to talk about the day NYRB lifted the curse and won the shield.
⁉️ Questions, comments, memories?
⁉️ Questions, comments, memories?
December 17, 2025 at 4:02 AM
🦅🎙️ Tomorrow @joshuaduder.bsky.social & @jhowardfusco.bsky.social record an America’s Greatest ep with guest @markfishkin.bsky.social of @seeingredny.bsky.social to talk about the day NYRB lifted the curse and won the shield.
⁉️ Questions, comments, memories?
⁉️ Questions, comments, memories?
💻 BIG TPS EP # 20! With plenty of winter soccer to cover, @danvaughn.bsky.social & @joshuaduder.bsky.social talk MLS Final, UPSL Playoffs, World Cup low points, and Liverpudlian funk
youtu.be/fSicP_t_Rjg?...
youtu.be/fSicP_t_Rjg?...
The Protagonist Show - Ep 20 - Trouble in Liverpool?
YouTube video by Protagonist Soccer
youtu.be
December 16, 2025 at 10:46 PM
💻 BIG TPS EP # 20! With plenty of winter soccer to cover, @danvaughn.bsky.social & @joshuaduder.bsky.social talk MLS Final, UPSL Playoffs, World Cup low points, and Liverpudlian funk
youtu.be/fSicP_t_Rjg?...
youtu.be/fSicP_t_Rjg?...
Our second nomination for Club of the Year is NPSL champion Hickory FC. The team tapped into its local community and delivered a title playing championship soccer in just their second year of existence.
www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/202...
www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/202...
December 16, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Our second nomination for Club of the Year is NPSL champion Hickory FC. The team tapped into its local community and delivered a title playing championship soccer in just their second year of existence.
www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/202...
www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/202...