Protagonist Podcasts

The guys who spent three years covering the upstart third-division league NISA reunite for the first time in over a year. John, Dan, and Dan discuss their favorite matches, the bond that was built over the course of years of podcasting, and why NISA was a failure in the end. It's a spectacular show that reminds you of why you loved the orginal in the first place.

With Dan out on family duty with the Thanksgiving holiday approaching, Danielle and John do the heavy lifting and break down the state of play in the USL Super League.

The greatest American defender of all-time joins the show to discuss the thrilling match between USA and Brazil in the 1994 World Cup. Marcelo Balboa discusses the team that put the USMNT on the map and the match that defined that competition for the USA.

Josh and Dan discuss the biggest topics in world soccer. 

Plenty to chat about as the matches of week 12 are on the table for analysis. Danielle returns and brings her energy to a show you won't want to miss.

Jeremiah Oshan, managing editor of Sounder at Heart, sits down with Dan and Josh to talk about the Seattle Sounder's 2022 CONCACAF Champions League run that ended in a final win against the giants of Mexico.

Trinity continues to falter and Ashlyn Puerta brought her kicking boots to Dallas. John and Dan break down Week 11, look forward to Week 12, and celebrate the signing of a Super Show favorite.

Legendary broadcaster and journalist Jason Davis joins the show to discuss the USA's improbable win over future World Cup champion Spain in the 2009 Confederation's Cup. 

The guys sit down to discuss the addition of Tony Scholes of USL. He'll lead the new Division One league and help impliment promotion/relegation in the USL system.  Plus loads of other discussion around the sport for your consumption!

We're back from the international break and we've got soccer to talk about in the USL Super League.

One of the most accomplished American soccer journalists, Charles Boehm, sits down to discuss the match that almost got ended because of weather, the 2013 WC Qualifier between the USMNT and Costa Rica, known by most as "Snow Classico."

Jamie Levoy, the executive director of legacy amateur women's club California Storm, joins the show to discuss how the '99ers impacted her entire worldview and inspired her passion for the game. The discussion sets up the 1999 World Cup Final and highlights the match that crowned the UWSNT world champions.

That's no moon! Lexington finally puts the pieces together and decimates Ft. Lauderdale 5-1, plus all the rest of Week 9 of the USL Super League.

Josh and Dan discuss expansion in the USL W League, the USL League One playoff picture, and then take a quick tour of European leagues returning to soccer after the International break. 

Your favorite former USMNT defender, Jimmy Conrad, sits down to discuss the 2006 World Cup and the USMNT's 1-1 draw with Italy. Jimmy discusses his personal battles on the field with some of the finest players to ever suit up for the Azzurri and his pride in representing his country on the greatest stage.

A decisive win for Spokane over Dallas and two draws for everyone else. Week 8 gave us plenty to talk about on today's show!

As we prepare to release Seaon Two of America's Greatest, we are revisiting some of our favorite conversations from Season One. On this episode, Josh is joined by returning guest Dr David Kilpatrick as well as by photojournalist and author Douglas Zimmerman, to discuss the final final of NASL. The newcomers, San Francisco Deltas hosted the most iconic team in US club soccer history, the New York Cosmos in a low-down, drag-out fistfight of a game in Soccer Bowl 2017.

The boys are back in the saddle and there's plenty to talk about in Cup Season! USMNT vs Ecuador Friendly USOC Qualifying Cup Season NISA Pro Cup Kickoff

Three out of four matches ended in a draw and we're not happy about! We break down all the results and why they mattered on this episode of the show.

As we prepare to release Season Two of America's Greatest, we're revisiting some of the best conversations from Season One. On this episode, Josh Duder sits down with Dan Creel and special guest Kartik Krishnaiyer, all-time American soccer journalistic legend. This episode, all eyes are on the 1999 Confederations Cup and the big matchup between USA and German. It was a statement 2-0 win for the Americans over a European soccer giant and shaped the conversation around the game for an entire nation.

As we prepare to release Season Two of America's Greatest, we're revisiting some of the best conversations from Season One. On this episode, we take a look back at the 2020 NISA Fall Championship between the Oakland Roots and Detroit City FC. Josh Duder and Dan Vaughn are joined by Fletcher Sharpe of the Daily Detroiter to take a look at the impact Coronavirus had on the league, the format of the Fall Championship, and walk through the game itself. We also discuss the music of the year, including our favorite tracks and artists of 2020.

Plenty of action in week 5 in the USL Super League. All the draws recapped and discussed!

As we prepare to release Season Two of America's Greatest, we're revisiting some of the best conversations from Season One. In this episode, Dan and Josh are joined by Dr. David Kilpatrick. They discuss the immortal Pele's last professional game, Soccer Bowl '77. They lead into the game by discussing the 1977 season for the Cosmos, then discuss the final itself, before wrapping up with a general discussion of the era's culturual touchstones. Be on the lookout for Season Two, dropping soon!

Dallas loses their first match of the season and Tampa continues to struggle. All that and more!

Our favorite competition is getting set to kick off and we're here for it. Plus USMNT chatter and a dive into the USL League One Playoff picture. Oh, and the HENNY DERBY.

A little later than usual, but here's your recap show for week 3 and a look forward to the matches of week 4!

Another week of soccer and we've got results from the USL Super League!

The USL Super League is back and we've got actual soccer to talk about! Week 1 recap in full, plus a look forward to next week!

Special guest John Howard-Fusco joins the show to talk all things USL women's soccer. USL Super League and W League talk throughout this episode. Plus so much more!

With the USL Super League just days away from the season opener, The Super Show squad discuss what they expect this year. Then Dallas Trinity goalkeeper, Rylee Foster, joins the show to talk about her path to professional soccer, her catastrophic car accident, and her road back to dominance.  

Josh and Dan take on the biggest news in the American game (and beyond) and bring their own dynamic approach and perspective to discussing it. 

With the Super League just around the corner, we break down all the action and offseason movement going on.

This episode begins with some sadness, but we get off the couch and finish strong by recapping the roster building from all over the USL Super League.

Chris Walker and Josh Duder say goodbye to the Jägermeister / USL Cup Group Stages and hello to the Quarterfinals. We take a look at the regular season table for both East and West Coast teams then give our score predictions for this weekend's fixtures. 

Mark Davis, cofounder of the USL W League Champions, Utah United, joins the show to talk about his team's run to the top of the league.

Messi skipped the MLS All-Star match and now all hell is breaking loose. Does this spell the end of his time in the States? Probably not, but we discuss it regardless. Plus NISA 3.0 and season two of the USL Super League.

Chris and Josh are back for another look around the USL Championship - from the results and table in the regular season so far, to the final games in the Jagermeister / USL Cup Group Stages. Join us for a whip around the top division of the biggest league in the world!

League MVP Emina Ekić is on the move to Lexington along with a host of other talented veterans, making the team in black and green a favorite for next season. The crew break down all the offseason moves and what it will mean for the 2025-26 USL Super League.

With the USL W League Championship match set to kick off on Saturday, John and Dan discuss Utah United and NC Courage U23. How they got there, how they play, and what they expect from this final match of the weekend. It's been a long season, but we're about to crown a champion.

The author of This Love is Not For Cowards: Salvation and Soccer in Ciudad Juárez sits down with Josh and Dan to discuss his book, his time in one of the most dangerous cities in the world, and how soccer inspired his work. 

Trinity superstar Allie Thornton joins the show to talk about her season last year, winning the Golden Boot, and how her time in Europe helped shape her play. After the interview, the crew breaks down a couple of clubs' roster moves and how they could change the table next season.

Dan is joined by Josh Duder to talk all things Gold Cup, including the final loss against Mexico 2-1. What does the roster look like moving forward? What players made their mark? Should the veterans who skipped the competition have anything to worry about? All those questions and more on this episode of 90+1.

GM of FC Olympia, Vanessa Crip, joins the show to talk all things northwest soccer and her teams playoff run ending in the round of 16. She also discusses a potential stadium plan and what the club will be working on in the offseason. After, the boys take a quick tour of the playoff picture, then look forward to the semifinal matchups this weekend!

Just before last weekend's matchup between El Paso Locomotive and San Antonio FC, Dan sat down with the two founders of Copa Tejas, Steve Arters and Danielle Gawronski. They explain the competition, the important role it plays for Texas soccer clubs, and how they'd love to see it expand.

Lee Neves and Vanessa Penuna from Stockton Cargo join Dan and John to discuss their regular season title and look forward to the USL W Playoffs.

With the news bring dominated by Cup competitions, Dan and Josh break down the state of play and what they are watching.

With the second season of the Super League just around the corner, the gang discuss the season that was. What was good, what was bad, and why on Earth did Pauline MacDonald get fired!

Ashly Kennedy joins the show to discuss her teams dominance in their opening year in the USL W League. Plus a full recap of the playoff races across the league!

Chris and Josh check out the scores and results from Matchweek 16 in the USL Championship then look forward to the couple of games in Matchweek 17. Then, we check out the standings in the USL / Jagermeister Cup and whip through the upcoming games in this round.

This week on The C, Chris and Josh take a look back at the results in the USL Championship from matchweek 15 then look forward to matchweek 16. In between, we peek at the table and discuss the teams in good form vs teams who have to make up some ground as we pass the 1/3 mark of the schedule.

Head Coach Denise Schilte-Brown sits down with Dan to discuss her club's championship season.