John Howard-Fusco
@jhowardfusco.bsky.social
Terminally Jersey guy who podcasts and sometimes writes for Protagonist Soccer. Writes stuff about food, too. Even published a book. Neat, huh?
And all the coverage made us the wealthy people we are today.
Shoutout @protagonistsoccer.bsky.social:
"It was here between 2021 and 2022, across 33 caps, that Mason made himself one of the best defenders in the league — eventually being named to Protagonist Soccer’s Knights Who Say NISA’s 2022 Best XI (the only website that ever gave NISA the time of day)"
"It was here between 2021 and 2022, across 33 caps, that Mason made himself one of the best defenders in the league — eventually being named to Protagonist Soccer’s Knights Who Say NISA’s 2022 Best XI (the only website that ever gave NISA the time of day)"
December 21, 2025 at 7:15 PM
And all the coverage made us the wealthy people we are today.
Reposted by John Howard-Fusco
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...
Reposted by John Howard-Fusco
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 John Howard-Fusco
👕 The Top 25 Tops of 2025 (parts 1 & 2) will drop in two weeks. The last four have been:
▪️2021 MD Bobcats’ “glitch” by Hummel
▪️2022 MN Aurora’s “Northern Lights” by Hummel
▪️2023 The Miami FC’s Third Shirt by Macron &
▪️2025 Oak Roots SC’s Home Shirt by Charly USA
⁉️ Who will be the Top Top of 2025?
▪️2021 MD Bobcats’ “glitch” by Hummel
▪️2022 MN Aurora’s “Northern Lights” by Hummel
▪️2023 The Miami FC’s Third Shirt by Macron &
▪️2025 Oak Roots SC’s Home Shirt by Charly USA
⁉️ Who will be the Top Top of 2025?
December 15, 2025 at 7:06 AM
👕 The Top 25 Tops of 2025 (parts 1 & 2) will drop in two weeks. The last four have been:
▪️2021 MD Bobcats’ “glitch” by Hummel
▪️2022 MN Aurora’s “Northern Lights” by Hummel
▪️2023 The Miami FC’s Third Shirt by Macron &
▪️2025 Oak Roots SC’s Home Shirt by Charly USA
⁉️ Who will be the Top Top of 2025?
▪️2021 MD Bobcats’ “glitch” by Hummel
▪️2022 MN Aurora’s “Northern Lights” by Hummel
▪️2023 The Miami FC’s Third Shirt by Macron &
▪️2025 Oak Roots SC’s Home Shirt by Charly USA
⁉️ Who will be the Top Top of 2025?
Reposted by John Howard-Fusco
2021's winner was KC Courage, playing in the @wpslofficial.bsky.social.
Lis Schendel described the team as "the type of club we aspire to play for, to have our children play for, and they are the type of club we want in our city so we can root for them."
www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/cot...
Lis Schendel described the team as "the type of club we aspire to play for, to have our children play for, and they are the type of club we want in our city so we can root for them."
www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/cot...
December 12, 2025 at 11:52 AM
2021's winner was KC Courage, playing in the @wpslofficial.bsky.social.
Lis Schendel described the team as "the type of club we aspire to play for, to have our children play for, and they are the type of club we want in our city so we can root for them."
www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/cot...
Lis Schendel described the team as "the type of club we aspire to play for, to have our children play for, and they are the type of club we want in our city so we can root for them."
www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/cot...
I finally get to meet The Duder in person!
🛫🗽 Off to film a season two ep of #AwayDays for
@protagonistsoccer.bsky.social
▪️Let’s catch a @nyintfc.bsky.social game too.
▪️Chat with @battista.bsky.social & @davidkilpatrick.bsky.social in person!
▪️Volunteer with @evlovesnyc.bsky.social
▪️and kickoff the @nycosmos.bsky.social season in style.
@protagonistsoccer.bsky.social
▪️Let’s catch a @nyintfc.bsky.social game too.
▪️Chat with @battista.bsky.social & @davidkilpatrick.bsky.social in person!
▪️Volunteer with @evlovesnyc.bsky.social
▪️and kickoff the @nycosmos.bsky.social season in style.
December 11, 2025 at 10:49 PM
I finally get to meet The Duder in person!
Reposted by John Howard-Fusco
2020 saw the Maryland Bobcats rise above the chaos to claim that year's Club of the Year.
"Maryland Bobcats are the epitome of what we want from our local clubs. Make moves based on values, look for the chance to grow, nail every opportunity with passion."
www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/cot...
"Maryland Bobcats are the epitome of what we want from our local clubs. Make moves based on values, look for the chance to grow, nail every opportunity with passion."
www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/cot...
December 11, 2025 at 1:01 PM
2020 saw the Maryland Bobcats rise above the chaos to claim that year's Club of the Year.
"Maryland Bobcats are the epitome of what we want from our local clubs. Make moves based on values, look for the chance to grow, nail every opportunity with passion."
www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/cot...
"Maryland Bobcats are the epitome of what we want from our local clubs. Make moves based on values, look for the chance to grow, nail every opportunity with passion."
www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/cot...
Reposted by John Howard-Fusco
In 2019, it was Pensacola FC of @wpslsoccer.bsky.social.
“The best soccer played in this country is played by women. And, if that is a fact, then Pensacola FC is one of the best amateur clubs in the world, certainly the best amateur club in the country.”
www.protagonistsoccer.com/features/cot...
“The best soccer played in this country is played by women. And, if that is a fact, then Pensacola FC is one of the best amateur clubs in the world, certainly the best amateur club in the country.”
www.protagonistsoccer.com/features/cot...
December 11, 2025 at 12:40 AM
In 2019, it was Pensacola FC of @wpslsoccer.bsky.social.
“The best soccer played in this country is played by women. And, if that is a fact, then Pensacola FC is one of the best amateur clubs in the world, certainly the best amateur club in the country.”
www.protagonistsoccer.com/features/cot...
“The best soccer played in this country is played by women. And, if that is a fact, then Pensacola FC is one of the best amateur clubs in the world, certainly the best amateur club in the country.”
www.protagonistsoccer.com/features/cot...
Reposted by John Howard-Fusco
In 2018, Inocentes FC (UPSL) won the first award.
“This is what local soccer is about; tying the club to the community. Inocentes is supported because generations of players have worn the name and familial roots have grown deep into local neighborhoods.”
www.protagonistsoccer.com/end-of-the-y...
“This is what local soccer is about; tying the club to the community. Inocentes is supported because generations of players have worn the name and familial roots have grown deep into local neighborhoods.”
www.protagonistsoccer.com/end-of-the-y...
2018 Protagonist Soccer Club of the Year — Protagonist Soccer
When we made the list for Club of the Year, we all used our own logic to choose our nominee. Each club had merit in their own right and each writer had specific reasons for choosing each club. Those r...
www.protagonistsoccer.com
December 11, 2025 at 12:18 AM
In 2018, Inocentes FC (UPSL) won the first award.
“This is what local soccer is about; tying the club to the community. Inocentes is supported because generations of players have worn the name and familial roots have grown deep into local neighborhoods.”
www.protagonistsoccer.com/end-of-the-y...
“This is what local soccer is about; tying the club to the community. Inocentes is supported because generations of players have worn the name and familial roots have grown deep into local neighborhoods.”
www.protagonistsoccer.com/end-of-the-y...
Reposted by John Howard-Fusco
Next week we announce our nominations for Protagonist Soccer Club of the Year. As we head towards Monday, let’s celebrate our previous winners who’ve hoisted the award for best lower league soccer club in the United States!
December 11, 2025 at 12:11 AM
Next week we announce our nominations for Protagonist Soccer Club of the Year. As we head towards Monday, let’s celebrate our previous winners who’ve hoisted the award for best lower league soccer club in the United States!
I heard his mustache is performing at halftime.
✨ Magic of The Cup ✨
FC Monmouth will have Tom Bogert (@tombogert.bsky.social) of CBS Sports Golazo & more to conduct the coin toss ahead of their 2026 US Open Cup Second Qualifying Round match this Saturday against Bulldogs SC.
@opencup.ussoccer.com
@hudsonriverblue.com
@theleaguefc.bsky.social
FC Monmouth will have Tom Bogert (@tombogert.bsky.social) of CBS Sports Golazo & more to conduct the coin toss ahead of their 2026 US Open Cup Second Qualifying Round match this Saturday against Bulldogs SC.
@opencup.ussoccer.com
@hudsonriverblue.com
@theleaguefc.bsky.social
October 10, 2025 at 2:09 AM
I heard his mustache is performing at halftime.
Moving on from #USLSL - GK Ashley Orkus (Tampa Bay Sun) signs with Fram (Iceland) @protagonist-w.bsky.social
August 31, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Moving on from #USLSL - GK Ashley Orkus (Tampa Bay Sun) signs with Fram (Iceland) @protagonist-w.bsky.social
Moving on from #USLSL - FWD Riley Tanner (Spokane Zephyr) signs with Sydney FC (Australia) @protagonist-w.bsky.social
August 27, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Moving on from #USLSL - FWD Riley Tanner (Spokane Zephyr) signs with Sydney FC (Australia) @protagonist-w.bsky.social
Moving on from #USLSL - FWD Salma Amani (Brooklyn FC) signs with Wydad AC (Morocco) @protagonist-w.bsky.social
August 27, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Moving on from #USLSL - FWD Salma Amani (Brooklyn FC) signs with Wydad AC (Morocco) @protagonist-w.bsky.social
Moving on from #USLSL - DEF Sydney Shepherd (Lexington SC) and DEF Madison Wolfbauer (DC Power) sign with Rio Ave FC (Portugal) @protagonist-w.bsky.social
August 27, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Moving on from #USLSL - DEF Sydney Shepherd (Lexington SC) and DEF Madison Wolfbauer (DC Power) sign with Rio Ave FC (Portugal) @protagonist-w.bsky.social
Moving on from #USLSL - FWD Jodi Ülkekul (Spokane Zephyr) signs with Sydney FC (Australia) @protagonist-w.bsky.social
August 16, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Moving on from #USLSL - FWD Jodi Ülkekul (Spokane Zephyr) signs with Sydney FC (Australia) @protagonist-w.bsky.social
Moving on from #USLSL - FWD Thelma Hermannsdottir (Ft Lauderdale Utd) signs with FH (Iceland) @protagonist-w.bsky.social
August 16, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Moving on from #USLSL - FWD Thelma Hermannsdottir (Ft Lauderdale Utd) signs with FH (Iceland) @protagonist-w.bsky.social
Moving on from #USLSL - GK Adelaide Gay (DC Power) signs with Celtic FC (Scotland) @protagonist-w.bsky.social
August 16, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Moving on from #USLSL - GK Adelaide Gay (DC Power) signs with Celtic FC (Scotland) @protagonist-w.bsky.social
Good morning! A couple more former #USLSL players signing elsewhere: Bridgette Skiba (Lexington SC) with Stjarnan FC (Iceland) and Dana Scheriff (Brooklyn FC) with SK Slavia Praha (Czech Rep)
August 15, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Good morning! A couple more former #USLSL players signing elsewhere: Bridgette Skiba (Lexington SC) with Stjarnan FC (Iceland) and Dana Scheriff (Brooklyn FC) with SK Slavia Praha (Czech Rep)
More playerss moving on from #USLSL for this season: Carlyn Presley (Brooklyn FC) signing with Valadares Gaia FC (Portugal), and Tori Hansen (Brooklyn FC) going to AC Sparta Praha (Czech Rep)
August 12, 2025 at 11:40 AM
More playerss moving on from #USLSL for this season: Carlyn Presley (Brooklyn FC) signing with Valadares Gaia FC (Portugal), and Tori Hansen (Brooklyn FC) going to AC Sparta Praha (Czech Rep)
Two more #USLSL players who will not be back for this season: Ashley Clark (TB) signs with Víkingur Reykjavík (Iceland), and Samantha Leshnak Murphy (CAR) signs with FC Rosengård (Sweden) @protagonist-w.bsky.social
August 10, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Two more #USLSL players who will not be back for this season: Ashley Clark (TB) signs with Víkingur Reykjavík (Iceland), and Samantha Leshnak Murphy (CAR) signs with FC Rosengård (Sweden) @protagonist-w.bsky.social
Lexington SC names Taylor Aylmer as team captain for upcoming USLSL season. Getting McCain and Ekic were big, but adding Aylmer was sneaky good. @protagonist-w.bsky.social
August 8, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Lexington SC names Taylor Aylmer as team captain for upcoming USLSL season. Getting McCain and Ekic were big, but adding Aylmer was sneaky good. @protagonist-w.bsky.social
On behalf of @danvaughn.bsky.social and myself, we apologize to the Mountain Division of the USL W and congrats to Utah United. We will never speak dismissively of your division ever again.
July 20, 2025 at 9:17 PM
On behalf of @danvaughn.bsky.social and myself, we apologize to the Mountain Division of the USL W and congrats to Utah United. We will never speak dismissively of your division ever again.
Boston Legacy FC has signed defenders Emerson Elgin and Laurel Ansbrow to contracts through 2027. Additionally, Ansbrow has a club option for 2028.
Elgin will go on loan to USL Super League team Tampa Bay Sun and Ansbrow will go on loan to USL SL team Ft. Lauderdale United until the end of the year
Elgin will go on loan to USL Super League team Tampa Bay Sun and Ansbrow will go on loan to USL SL team Ft. Lauderdale United until the end of the year
July 17, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Another big time shake up by Lexington in the roster department by setting the USL Super League transfer record again to get Emina Ekic from Spokane
July 15, 2025 at 7:35 PM