Courtesy: Soccer Nation


USFF Futsal News

by Stephen Prendergast

Thursday, October 20, 2011

This Week in U.S. Futsal for October 19

U.S. National Futsal Team drops 2 in Brazil Tournament

The U.S. National Futsal team, under the direction of head coach Keith Tozer, has dropped its first two games at the Grand Prix of Futsal in Manaus Brazil. But, reassures USFF President and CEO Alex Para, this is not a time for panic. While this tournament pits the Americans against top teams from around the world, Para explains that Tozer is using the competition much like a preseason or series of exhibition games to help the team tune up for the Futsal World Cup in November, 2012.

The U.S. team was first announced on September 23, just prior to the team’s first full training camp September 24 through October 1. With several young players, including three under 18, Tozer is still getting the feel of this group and the tournament allows him to watch the team in competition. Para compares this to the San Diego Chargers preseason schedule – you want the team to win but what is most important is the team improving their play and execution. What will truly matter is when the U.S. team begins CONCACAF competition in preparation for World Cup qualifying. Three teams from North and Central America qualified for the 2008 Futsal World Cup in Brazil: Cuba, Guatemala and the United States.

In their first group game of the Grand Prix, The United States lost 7-0 to Uruguay, currently one of the top teams in futsal and a leader in the South America region. Richard Catardo scored a hat trick for Uruguay, Santiago Blankleider netted a pair, and Diego Llama and Diego Garrido added singles. In their second game, the Americans lost 8-0 to Iran, a powerhouse in Asia. The loss may be damaging to our pride politically, but does not end our chances in the tournament. Win or lose their third game, against Belgium, the Americans will advance with the rest of the group to the next round of play.


Elsewhere in Futsal

Futsal is becoming an important alternative for city recreation divisions around the country, and many are working with U.S. Futsal to help convert under-used facilities. U.S. Futsal CEO Alex Para explained that many inner-city recreation facilities put in tennis courts in the 1970s, but found that no one was interested in the game. Some of these sites are now looking to convert those courts to Futsal courts, capitalizing on the popularity of soccer

The change also makes recreational sense. Where before a maximum of four people could play tennis, with futsal more than twice that number can be involved at one time. Other facilities are looking at using existing basketball courts for futsal at least part of the time. In other locations, cities are considering putting in multiple futsal courts instead of a single soccer field. As Para points out, this would allow as many as 60 players to be involved instead of the 22 on a traditional field.

One city where these changes are in the works is Long Beach, Calif. Several years ago the city approached U.S. Futsal about the possibility of setting up courts for the game and creating a park and recreation futsal league. A lack of city funds kept the project from going through at the time, but recently a local foundation has been working to get grants to revive the idea. Para said that the facilities could be up and running by winter of 2012 if all goes well.




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