Courtesy: Soccer Nation


U.S. Men's National Futsal Team Head Coach Keith Tozer on Futsal

Since its creation in Montevideo, Uruguay, in 1930, Futsal has grown into a major international sport, with its own FIFA championship and top-flight national teams. In the United States, Futsal has developed into a training method as well as a sport. Now U.S. Soccer and the U.S. Futsal National Team have announced the first ever elite player identification camp at the South Coast Soccer City facilities on September 12-15. SoccerNation spoke with Keith Tozer, Head Coach of the U.S. Men’s National Futsal Teams, about the benefits of the sport.

Keith Tozer grew up in Michigan and began playing soccer at age 13. After playing at Oneonta State in New York, he went on to play for several teams in the MISL before going into coaching. Tozer also played on the U.S. Men’s National Team that appeared in four CONCACAF Championships, winning won two Gold Medals, and in two World Cups. Currently he is also the Head Coach of the Milwaukee Wave where he has led them to five MISL championships.

SoccerNation: Coach Tozer, thank you for taking time to speak with us. First, how does Futsal improve soccer skills?
Keith Tozer: Because Futsal has no predetermined positions, it allows youth players to learn how to both attack and defend on the field. Being able to develop both attacking and defensive mentalities is an asset for any player. In addition, it enables youth players to make a smoother transition to outdoor soccer, as they are already comfortable on the ball in all situations. Another advantage is that Futsal allows coaches to truly learn their players’ strengths. This enables them to employ different styles of play by exploiting their greater tactical knowledge of the players on their team, often allowing them to outwit the opposition.

Futsal constantly places players in situations where they must play under pressure in confined spaces, placing considerable demand on technique, tactical awareness and fitness, speed and agility. Because Futsal is played with a ball with 30% less bounce, players are forced to work on their technique and control skills in order to move the ball around on the ground. With this extra focus, players can execute complex skills in pressure situations without having to think about it. This also helps them to make early decisions before receiving the ball. In Futsal there is an emphasis on improvisation, creativity and technique.


SN: What do you look for in a player for the US team?
Keith Tozer: We look for speed and quickness, along with very good technical ability and intelligence. Because of the nature of Futsal, we also look for a player’s willingness to defend and the willingness to learn.


SN: Looking toward the identification camp, how many players are you looking for and what ages? Will you coach the team yourself, and if so, who will be helping you?
Keith Tozer: We are looking to create a player pool of 35 players starting at age 16. I will be coaching the team, with Vava Marques as my assistant coach and Mark Litton as my goalkeeper coach.


SN: What is your goal for the U.S. Men’s National Futsal Team?
Keith Tozer: Our goal is to win the CONCACAF Qualifying Tournament in order to earn a spot in the 2012 Futsal World Championships.


SN: Who is the greatest competition for the US and how does our team rank in comparison? What do we need to become better?
Keith Tozer: Truly, our greatest competition is ourselves. We must give our team the best possible chance to succeed and the Futsal ID camp is one step in our blueprint towards that success. Internationally, Guatemala is the reigning CONCACAF Champion and is very good. They have their own professional Futsal league and travel extensively to Spain, Costa Rica and other countries.


SN: Why so you think Futsal is not more popular with the young soccer player in the USA, and why is it so popular in countries like Brazil and Italy?
Keith Tozer: You have to remember that Futsal is about playing small-sided or pick-up games. Brazil, Italy and Spain have Futsal in their youth programs as well as all the players play pick-up games. However, Futsal has been growing very fast within the last 3-5 years here in the United States.


SN: Thank you for taking time to speak with us, Coach Tozer.
Keith Tozer: My pleasure. Thank you.




Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com