Protagonist Podcasts

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 join the Portland Pilots, and the era of journeymen players looking for stability.  

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.

Joel Nash, Senior Vice President of Youth & Pre-Professional Soccer at USL joins Josh Duder to talk about his life-long love for the beautiful game. The former player for University of Evansville is now one of the key members of the USL leadership team, growing the pre-professional level of soccer in the United States.

Longtime soccer journalist Charles Boehm sits down with Dan to discuss his entry into soccer, how the game has changed over the years, and how this year's World Cup will impact the future of the game in the United States.

John Morrisey is known throughout the lower league world as USLTactics. His application of analysis to the USL Championship level has been an eye-opening change for the online soccer community. He joins the show to discuss his connection to the sport and the goals of his work. 

Veteran broadcaster Jason Davis joins The Protagonist to discuss his entry to the sport, his goals behind the mic, and how he's managed to stay relavent for almost two decades covering the beautiful game. 

Dennis Crowley, most famous for his work in big tech, including Dodgeball, Foursquare, and Hopscotch Labs, joins The Soccer Romantics to discuss his passion project - soccer. A founder of the now decade-old soccer club Kingston Stockade and one of the primary influencers and cofounders of The League for Clubs, Dennis' passion for the sport is making it more sustainable. 

Dennis and Dan discuss World Cup magic, then transition to soccer warz in Nevada. Finally, the show wraps with a full tour of men's amateur soccer in the United States.

On our brand new show, The Soccer Romantics , Josh Duder welcomes the Country Manager of Hummel USA, former San Diego Nomad, Boston Bolt, Tampa Bay Rowdy, Charlotte Eagle and US National Team player, Jeff Duback. We talk about his work in the  soccer  apparel industry, playing in an era without a national first division, and how he fell in love with the game.  

One of two voices for the unique and entertaining broadcast team of San Francisco City FC, Jack Lowery, joins Josh on the pod. They discuss his unique format with Mark Federico Moreno, who was unable to join us. We get into Jack's soccer origin story then talk a little about the great season that SF City FC is having. 

Plenty of talk about the success of Yan Diomande in this year's World Cup. Christian Vallejos joins the show to talk about seeing Yan as a 16yo playing in the UPSL. We discuss the rise of soccer in Florida and the role of the UPSL in developing talent.

Halfway through the USL W League season and winners and losers are rapidly falling into place. John and Dan discuss the big results from the weekend and how the tables are being shaped.

Don Harmon of the Mountain Premier League joins the show to talk all things soccer in Colorado, plus a full run down of all the leagues in play across the country!

One last match of the 25/26 USL Super League season to break down. John, Danielle, and Dan discuss the finale of the season and celebrate a fantastic Lexington season.

Without a guest for the show, John and Dan discuss the meaninglessness of league-created power rankings, then dip into the results from another week of the USL W League.

The founder of the RGV Red Crowns, Jamal Fayyad, joins the show to talk about starting a soccer club in the Rio Grande Valley. His lessons on sustainability, thoughtfulness, and loving the game apply universally at the amateur level. Plus a full update of the national amateur scene.

On this show, Josh catches up with the first ever Univision Sueño winner, former Chivas USA, Portland Timber, LA Galaxy, Laguna Santos, and US National Team player, Jorge Villafaña. They discuss the differences in leagues, player development, and his transition from player to coach. Bangers FC are currently top of the USL League Two, PacNW Division, and Coach Villafaña tells us what we can do to h...

The gang breaks down the semifinals and looks forward to the final match of the USL Super League season.

The head coach of Vermont Green's USL W League team stops by to talk about launching the women's program with so many expectations of success. Abby discusses her path to coaching, how she's embraced Vermont, and what to expect from year one.

Bill Marth joins the show to talk about the rise of the APSL and the impact the league is having across the country. Den and Dan discuss "the Hank" and if it should even exist, plus a quick trip across the country checking on all men's amateur leagues, large and small.

In this episode of the Super Show, the final matches have been played and now the playoffs can begin. Our team hands out post-season awards and makes playoff predictions. But WAIT, there's more! John and Danielle are joined by the head coach of the regular season champion Lexington SC, Kosuke Kimura. Kosuke discusses his team's drive to the top-seed heading into the playoffs.

Anthony Sardon, Director of Coaching for Snohomish United, joins the show to talk Northwest Division in the USL W League. From his time winning a NCAA DII Championship to his current position with Snohomish United, Anthony breaks down his approach to developing winning athletes in the Pacific Northwest.

Dennis and Dan are back to cover amateur soccer across the country. The founder of Tulsa Athletic, Sonny Dalesandro joins the show to talk all things Tulsa soccer, the growth of The League For Clubs, and disc golf, of course.

Josh Duder sat down with legendary player and coach, Frank Yallop, to find out what the former Ipswich and Tampa Bay Mutiny Player was doing coaching soccer in McKinney, Texas. After decades of coaching teams like the San Jose Earthquakes, the Canadian National Team, and most recently, Monterey Bay FC, Coach Yallop tells us why the Chupacabras are so special.