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Protagonist Podcasts

Protagonist Soccer
USL Super League
Soccer
USL Championship
Lexington
Fort Lauderdale
Dallas
Dallas Trinity
Tampa Bay
New Mexico United
Usl League One
Carolina
DC Power
US Open Cup
NWSL
Super League
Brooklyn
USL W League
Spokane
Detroit City FC
USL

All the podcasts from the Protagonist Family on one feed. All grassroots soccer - NISA, NPSL, UPSL, UWS, WPSL, GCPL, Regional

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes108Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
SoccerSports

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Latest Episodes

Founder of theCup.us joins Dan to discuss his entry into soccer, his goals for covering the Open Cup, and how he'd change the competition to make it more viable for the future.

Damon joins the show to talk about what made USL2 the right spot for his club, along with a wide variety of topics, including the World Cup! Dennis and Dan break down the MANY playoff races going on across the country.

Newly appointed Head Coach of USL Leauge One's 2027 expansion side, Sporting Cascades FC, Darren Sawatzky, joins Josh on this episode of the Soccer Romantics. We discuss his childhood in Seattle, how he impressed the legendary Clive Charles enough to... more

With just three matches left in the USL W League Playoffs, John and Dan sit down to discuss the rapidly approaching end of the 2026 W League season.

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Recent Guests

Darren Sawatzky
New head coach of Sporting Cascades FC, former coach of FC Tucson, Richmond Kickers, and Guam National Team; former MLS player
Sporting Cascades FC
Episode: The Soccer Romantics: Darren Sawatzky
Joel Nash
Senior Vice President of Youth & Pre-Professional Soccer at USL; former player for the University of Evansville
USL
Episode: The Soccer Romantics: Joel Nash
Dennis Crowley
Tech entrepreneur, co-founder of Foursquare; founder of Kingston Stockade and League for Clubs
Kingston Stockade, League for Clubs
Episode: The Soccer Romantics: Dennis Crowley
Jeff Duback
Former US National Team goalie, Yale graduate, and country manager of Hummel USA
Hummel USA
Episode: The Soccer Romantics: Jeff Duback
Jack Lowery
Soccer broadcaster for SF City FC, SF State alum, and commentator
SF City FC broadcasting team
Episode: Protagonist Interview: Jack Lowery
Christian Vallejos
UPSL co-owner and UPSL Florida director
UPSL Florida
Episode: Root and Branch: S2E5 - Christian Vallejos, UPSL Minority Owner
Don Harmon
Mountain Premier League president
Mountain Premier League
Episode: Root and Branch: S2E4 - Don Harmon of the Mountain Premier League
Jamal C. Fayyad
Owner and President of the Rio Grande Valley Red Crowns
Rio Grande Valley Red Crowns
Episode: Root and Branch: S2E3 - RGV Soccer with Jamal Fayyad
Jorge Villafaña
Former MLS and Liga MX player; current head coach of Bangers FC (USL League Two)
Bangers FC
Episode: Protagonist Interviews: Jorge Villafaña

Hosts

Dan Baum
Host with a focus on USL/grassroots soccer and league dynamics
John Howard Fusco
Co-host, analyst, and show host with league-coverage expertise
Dan Vaughn
Host with multiple show affiliations; long-running presence across soccer-focused titles

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 94 ratings
  • FINALLY My Leagues is Being Covered!

    Been a long time listener, and fan, of Protagonist and all the different shows from the Protagonist Weekly, USL2, Knights, even listened to the TV Show/Movie reviews through the pandemic!

    But now with One League Under the C (amazing title obviously) one of my favorite podcasts is covering the local team/league we follow! Match made in heaven! Thanks guys!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CoachTosaya
    United States3 years ago
  • Level headed, no homer-ism talk on lower league soccer

    It’s easy to start a podcast about something you’re passionate about. However it’s difficult to make that topic interesting or come off as neutral, especially when you want the topic at hand to succeed. The guys at Protagonist do care about lower league soccer in the United States but are able to call out the good from the bad. Their interviews are well researched and the guests are almost always going to leave expelling far more than any listener could have imagined. A great listen.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NASL Intern
    United States4 years ago
  • 👍

    Great lower league soccer coverage. Hit a variety of topics. Great personalities. Liz and Danielle are the best!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Danni girl99
    United States4 years ago
  • Lower league level soccer, premier league level banter

    I don’t give a rip about nisa and actually think the league should lose its ussf sanctioning due to its numerous blunders and terrible leadership. These guys however, have such good chemistry and passion for the league and lower league soccer in general, that I will tune into each and every episode and have a heck of a good time doing it. Keep up the great work guys. Also love the USL 2 coverage and that is what I am most looking forward to listening to this upcoming season. Cheers!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Minnesota Kicks Fan
    United States4 years ago
  • Love the Show!

    I look forward to Knights Who Say NISA every time it comes out! I think you add so much to the league and bring legitimacy and excitement to those of us that follow the league. Long live Dan, Dan, and John Howard-Fusco! We are the knights who say Ni!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mike-0 mandchild
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests consistently provide practical, scalable insights for grassroots development.
Fans praise the show for balanced analysis and engaging banter, with occasional UI/audio feedback about volume and pacing.
Overall, hosts mix passion for lower-league soccer with thoughtful critique and solid guest sourcing.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Soccer Romantics: Joel Nash
Q: What is the process for launching the USL W League and USL League 2 seasons, and is there a slow part of the calendar or do you stay busy year-round?
Joel explains that the season launch is an annual, cyclical process with peaks and valleys, requiring ongoing collaboration with clubs from December/January onward. He emphasizes the need to align new clubs, leadership, and community engagement, while balancing the year-round focus on growth, player pools, and expanding community involvement as the league scales toward the World Cup-era excitement.
The Soccer Romantics: Joel Nash
Q: What's your origin story?
Joel describes growing up in a soccer-loving family, his first season memory with a reversible jersey, and how soccer became the lens through which he views life. He outlines an athletic path that included youth national teams and academy experiences before moving into college at Evansville, highlighting injuries and the shift toward coaching and leadership as pivotal turning points. This narrative frames his passion for developing players and connecting them to professional opportunities.
The Protagonist: Jason Davis
Q: What drew you into soccer and how did you get your start in the game?
Jason describes growing up in a military family, discovering soccer later and then finding his footing in sports media through writing, podcasting, and eventually a radio career, emphasizing the shift from fan to interviewer and the importance of context and passion in reporting.
The Soccer Romantics: John Morrisey
Q: So I hear that as entry into your journalistic work. How did you get into soccer originally? What was your entry point?
He fell in love with the game as a kid, had a nascent interest sparked by local clubs and media, and used college years and a growing online presence to start writing and analyzing, eventually leading to opportunities with clubs and a broader USL audience.
The Protagonist: Charles Boehm
Q: What type of story do you prefer to write and what drives your storytelling?
He emphasizes storytelling that centers on people and personalities, matches and moments, and a belief that compelling conversations with players and coaches can translate into narrative that broadens interest in soccer beyond MLS, while acknowledging the freelancer's need to chase the most engaging topics.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Protagonist Podcasts

What is Protagonist Podcasts about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A network of shows focusing on grassroots and lower-division soccer in the United States, with deep dives into amateur clubs, regional leagues, coaching development, and the business side of the sport. Episodes frequently feature host-moderated panel discussions, in-depth guest interviews with coaches, executives, and players, plus analysis of USL, NPSL, UPSL, W League, and related ecosystems. The tone blends serious industry insight with accessible, fan-friendly banter, and there's a recurring emphasis on sustainability, governance, talent pathways, and community impact. Notable strengths include candid conversations about league structures, development pipelines, and the practical realities of running smaller clubs, making it valuable for... more

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How many listeners does Protagonist Podcasts get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Protagonist Podcasts?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Protagonist Podcasts:

1. The USL Show
2. Morning Kickaround
3. The Blazing Musket Podcast
4. Soccerwise | World Cup, U.S. Soccer, MLS, NWSL
5. Scuffed | USMNT, World Cup, Yanks Abroad, futbol in America

How many episodes of Protagonist Podcasts are there?

Protagonist Podcasts launched 8 years ago and published 108 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Protagonist Podcasts?

Recent guests on Protagonist Podcasts include:

1. Darren Sawatzky
2. Joel Nash
3. Dennis Crowley
4. Jeff Duback
5. Jack Lowery
6. Christian Vallejos
7. Don Harmon
8. Jamal C. Fayyad

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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