U.S. Soccer Academy names top futsalers

The U.S. Soccer Development Academy, which includes a winter futsal program for its U-13/14s, has named eight Top Performers from its regional competitions. It has also released a short video of highlights that includes Jurgen Klinsmann's thoughts on futsal's benefits.

USSDA Futsal Top Performers
Kevin Negrete (LA Galaxy) SoCal Regional
Blaine Ferri (Solar Chelsea) Texas Regional
Ashish Chattha (Juventus SC) NorCal Regional
Tim Bielic (Sockers FC) Mid-America Regional
Riley Ferch (Boca United) Florida Regional
Eric Calvillo (Prince William Courage) North Carolina Regional
Matteo Rittaccio (BW Gottschee) New Jersey Regional
Kevin Vang (New England Revolution) New England Regional

"I'm a big fan of futsal," says Klinsmann. "The game is played on a high-tempo. It's very demanding technically. So you definitely sharpen your technical skills. You have to make decisions really quickly."

Also in the video: USSDA Director of Scouting Tony Lepore, U.S. U-14 boys national team coach Brian Johnson, and U.S. Soccer's Southwest Technical Advisor Todd Saldana.

3 comments about "U.S. Soccer Academy names top futsalers".
  1. Gus Keri, February 19, 2015 at 11:27 a.m.

    What is futsaler? Is it someone who sells foot? When I tried to use Google translator, it wasn't under English language. Google said to try it under Sesotho. I did, but again it wasn't there. I don't speak Sesotho.

  2. R2 Dad, February 19, 2015 at 11:52 a.m.

    I'll believe it when they start bringing little wiry futsal stars to our U teams, rather than just putting existing academy galoots into futsal in an attempt to give them foot skills.

  3. Wesley Hunt, February 19, 2015 at 9:13 p.m.

    Well said R2 Dad. Futsal rules... and for my kids that played a lot from their earliest years those foot skills and quick passing are just a given not something they develop later.

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