Protagonist Soccer

NPSL Championship Final Recap — Protagonist Soccer In a pitched battle between two worthy foes, Hickory FC claimed its first league championship over lower league-darlings El Farolito. The new NPSL Champions won 3-2, scoring the match winner in stoppa...

It was a heated clash of two great teams, but Hickory FC claimed the NPSL crown with a match-winner in stoppage time. Homeside El Farolito comes up just short of a perfect season. Hickory now heads home to celebrate with its fans in North Carolina.

www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/hic...

USL League Two Championship FINAL — Protagonist Soccer In a league full of well-run, ambitious, and social media savvy sides, two of the very best in the country faced off in Burlington, Vermont. Smartly kitted and well-coached, Vermont Green and Ballard ...

💚 🧡 USL League Two Championship FINAL:
💻 In a league full of well-run, ambitious, and social media savvy sides, two of the very best in the country faced off in Burlington. Read the complete match report by Mathieu Starke www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/usl...

🤍 Congratulations to Hickory FC for winning the 2025 NPSL Final!
▪️ Down a man, but up a goal, Tomas Pollacchi scored what would end up being the winner in a dramatic showdown with hosts El Farolito - a thoroughly entertaining final at historic Kezar Stadium!

💚 Congratulations to @vermontgreenfc.bsky.social for winning the 2025 USLL2 ‘ship!
⚽️ Maxi Kissel scored the winning goal in second half stoppage time to defeat a very determined @goballardfc.bsky.social - it was a great game and a great moment for the club, league, and fans of lower league soccer!

With a second championship in sight and Bernie Sanders’ support, Vermont is the US soccer state of the moment Vermont Green could cap an undefeated season in this weekend’s USL League Two title game, with overflow crowds expected once again

ICYMI ahead of tonight's USL League Two final, a look at @vermontgreenfc.bsky.social and the idea that in the closed leagues of US soccer, it is not just about the division in which you play, but also about who you are and what you do as a club, not just in your league, but in the community, too.

Tonight El Farolito will host Hickory FC with the NPSL Championship on the line. Dan Vaughn writes about the two clubs and their different paths to the title match. Today a league champion will be crowned in San Francisco!

www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/nps...

The Life of a USL League Two Player: Dreaming Beyond the Pitch — Protagonist Soccer While fans may see a player play 90 minutes a week, there’s a whole other side for every player on the pitch. Every kit is filled with a person with dreams, aspirations, hopes for the future, and a re...

As the USL League Two season draws to the end, our guest writer, Jadyn Hsieh-Bailey, writes about himself and his teammates. Rather than be defined by a number on their backs, these players have hopes and dreams that extend beyond the lines on a pitch.

www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/usl...

YouTube video by Protagonist Soccer The Protagonist Show - Ep11 - Messi MLS All Star Game Drama

💻 ICYMI: @danvaughn.bsky.social & @joshuaduder.bsky.social talk Messi, MLS, USL Super League, USL League 2, and NISA 3.0 on Ep 11 of The Protagonist Show youtu.be/YmDPHxS8S9k?...

✋⚽️🤚 On this week’s The Protagonist Show, @joshuaduder.bsky.social struggles with French but calls out Matt Turner, who NEEDS to come home to the States and play MLS or even USLC and just get his minutes in or risk missing out on the World Cup.

💻 Check out the latest ep of The Protagonist Show! @danvaughn.bsky.social goes OffTopic and over the allotted time to give @detcityfc.com legend, Trevor James, a respectful sendoff.
▪️DCFC would not be where they are today without him.

YouTube video by Protagonist Soccer The Protagonist Show - Ep11 - Messi MLS All Star Game Drama

Newest episode of The Protagonist Show where Josh and Dan break down the three biggest stories of the week in soccer. From some Messi All Star Game drama, to NISA 3.0, and finally the USL Super League about to launch season 2. All that plus all the banter you desire!

youtu.be/YmDPHxS8S9k?...

Ballard FC vs Ventura County Fusion Free Live Stream | SportsEngine Play Live stream Ballard FC vs Ventura County Fusion at SportsEngine Play. Click here to watch now and support your loved ones at home online.

🧡 We’re about 40 minutes out from 2022 USLL2 Champions, Ventura County Fusion vs 2023 Champions @goballardfc.bsky.social - this should be an absolute blast to watch at SOLD OUT Interbay sportsengineplay.com/USL/USL-Leag...

The C - Episode 22, Matchweek 20 Review and USL Cup Preview Protagonist Podcasts · Episode

🎙️ Ecoutér! @joshuaduder.bsky.social & @bychriswalker.bsky.social have a look around the USL Championship, discuss last week’s results, the regular season table, and look forward to the last matchday of the Jäegermeister / USL Cup Group Stages open.spotify.com/episode/2XlE...

Kicking Back: The History of Ft Lauderdale Strikers - Part Two, The Managers — Protagonist Soccer Author Stephen Brandt joins Protagonist to perform club-by-club retrospective of the original NASL. In Part Two, we explore the several managers of Ft Lauderdale Strikers during their NASL tenure. Thi...

🔶 Kicking Back: The History of Ft Lauderdale Strikers - Part Two, The Managers
🔸 Author @stephencbrandt.bsky.social walks us through the several managers of Ft Lauderdale Strikers during their NASL era www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/kic...

⚽️ There is so much great soccer happening this weekend!

▪️LA10FC vs
DepoRoseCity
▪️Ballard FC vs Ventura County Fusion
▪️ MPLSCity vs Flint City Bucks and
▪️ Vermont Green vs Lionsbridege

What are you watching?

📚 We are currently reading 90 Minutes with The King: How Soccer Saved My Life by “Soccer Tom” Mulroy.

🗓️ And we can confirm he will be joining us for our next Book Club Conversation!

☕️ So find a copy and submit your questions for Tom to us by Tuesday, August 26th. store.bookbaby.com/book/90-minu...

cc:
@protagonistsoccer.bsky.social
@phlsoccernow.bsky.social
@sonsofben.com
@jtannenwald.bsky.social
@lanternsoccer.bsky.social
@section8chicago.bsky.social
@theredlinesg.bsky.social
@lightsfootball.com
@northlandsoccer.com
@soccerwisehq.bsky.social
@pwilt1.bsky.social
@opencup.ussoccer.com

UPSL Women's Division: Year One in Review — Protagonist Soccer Protagonist Contributor, and Team Manager for Little Rock Rangers SC’s UPSL teams, takes some time after the inaugural season of the UPSL Women’s Division, to reflect on what worked and what could use...

⬜️ UPSL Women's Division: Year One in Review:
▫️Ryan Stallings takes some time after the inaugural season of the UPSL Women’s Division, to reflect on what worked and what could use some adjusting to make year two, and beyond, even better www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/ups...

HELP WANTED

The #USASA National Amateur Cup finals are this weekend in Milwaukee, WI.

We need boots on the ground! We have some help on Friday but REALLY need someone at Saturday's final (8 PM local time).

Let us know if you can help!

(Graphic from West Chester United)

cc for help/sharing:
@wisconsinsoccercentral.com
@fwdflock.bsky.social
@theredlinesg.bsky.social
@lanternsoccer.bsky.social
@protagonistsoccer.bsky.social
@pwilt1.bsky.social
@opencup.ussoccer.com

🎙️ Tonight we record a fresh ep of The Protagonist Show and we want to give away a bag of Anti-Racist Solidarity Coffee!
☕️ Like it and reply to this post with your name.
🤝 We’ll pick one name out at random during the show and get it in the mail to you. DEADLINE is 7pm PACIFIC TONIGHT.

All to play for tonight!!!

@tulsaathletic.bsky.social

🟥 Congratulations to the Albany Alleycats for winning the inaugural UPSL Women’s National Championship. They take home a $10,000 prize after holding a very highly-regarded Little Rock Rangers side 0-0 then earning the title through clutch penalty kicks.

@50plusdoner.bsky.social @cikifc.bsky.social @shadesofbluenw.com @protagonistsoccer.bsky.social @jdnalton.bsky.social

There's more where that came from but these are a handful of the names that have been doing great work in the US soccer scene and beyond that I want to spread the love to

Hello to the new folks following me from this pack 👋🏽

It's a great list of people featured but I also want to shout out some more soccer voices that have helped shape my views to where I am today @jasondcsoccer.bsky.social @sheabutterfc.com @diasporautdpod.bsky.social @theolloydhughes.bsky.social

Polls don't exist on this app, but, given today's announcement of the addition of a commissioner, should we return to covering NISA? Comment and give your take.

Utah United is your new USL W League Champion. While the Courage came in the expected favorite, Utah proved it was up to the challenge and won in a rout. Dan Vaughn takes a look at the match.

www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/usl...

The Super Show - Superpowered Lexington? Protagonist Podcasts · Episode

Brand new episode of The Super Show out this morning! Lexington is turning into a powerhouse with their roster moves, but where does that leave Spokane and Brooklyn? All the offseason chat you can handle in one show!

open.spotify.com/episode/1oav...

🟪 Congratulations to Utah United who defeated the defending champs in splendid style! Forward Ellie Walbruch was named the Final MVP after contributing to two of the squad’s 4 goals and took home the 2025 USLW title.

🟦 Congratulations to Sporting CT who beat the record winners, California Storm, 4-0. Senatore, Jenkins, and Jordan buried the opposition early and an own goal made it 4-0 before halftime. Goalkeepers Caitlin Daley and Elizabeth DiBlasi shared the clean sheet to win the 2025 @wpslsoccer.bsky.social!