U.S. Youth Futsal National Teams Successful in Medellín
The U.S. Youth Futsal National Teams conclude a successful trip to Colombia ahead of the 2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup that is set to kick off on September 10th. Rostered players were selected through a comprehensive identification process which started on a local level and included regional and national I.D. camps with the best of the best awarded an opportunity to show off their talents in Medellín — and most importantly, represent the USA abroad.
Youth Soccer News: U.S. Youth Futsal‘s National Teams recorded an aggregate 13-4-1 record during three days of competition against top Colombian teams, scoring 98 goals and allowing just 48.
The United States sent its U14, U16 and U18 boys teams and U13, U14 and U16 girls teams to Medellín last month, with each team playing three friendly matches.
The boys side faced the strongest opposition of any international trip to date and finished 4-4-1, while the girls earned a 9-0 record in South America, improving their overall record to 26-5-0.
“The tenacity of the Colombian players was a characteristic that many of our players never get to experience at home,” said U.S. Youth Futsal Director of Coaching Ty Stauffer. “Many Colombian youth are playing to make professional teams or escape circumstances. That kind of competition is invaluable to development.”
The US Youth Futsal program is dedicated to the growth of Futsal and player development. Futsal is fast becoming highly popular with elite players who are always looking for improving their technical skills. Fast, action-packed Futsal is fun for players of all levels. According the top trainers at the National ID Camp in Kansas City in July, the level of talent had greatly improved all across the country.
Players were selected after comprehensive identification process which began on a local level and included regional and national I.D. camps. The top players at the National ID Camp were offered roster spots to show off their talents in Medellín. From the selected player pool, captains were chosen by the coaching staff: Nicholas Barzacchini (U14 boys), Joseph Raasch (U16 boys), Paulie Whitener (U18 boys), Brooke Collins (U13 girls), Zhanna Dunagan (U14 girls) and three-time captain Felicia Knox (U16 girls) donned the nation’s armbands.
To represent your county wile competing on a soccer team abroad is an amazing honor and one every player appreciated. Being on the team was a fabulous experience for these talented players. Barzacchini, on his third trip with the U.S. Youth Futsal National Team program, was thrilled to spend time with friends old and new, but especially to make new memories.
“While in Colombia, it seemed like there was always something to be doing,” explained Barzacchini. “You could be bonding with your teammates, taking in the culture, playing Futsal, meeting new people, chanting and watching the other USA teams, enjoying the great views of Medellín, having fun on the metro, and much, much more.”
On Wednesday, after a team-building trip to Guatapé, U.S. players witnessed incredible celebrations throughout the city after Atlético Nacional won the Copa Libertadores. On Friday, the group watched a Liga Argos men’s professional futsal match. On Saturday, the teams played salon, a variation of futsal popular in South America. In addition, the U16 girls team was granted special access to the Medellín stadium where FIFA Futsal World Cup 2016 matches will take place in September.
“Culturally, it was a remarkable experience,” noted Girls Director Jason Miller. ” Medellín is a wonderful city that provided an ideal life and Futsal experience for our players and their families. The people, the food, the culture, the setting and the weather were all truly fantastic.
Added Barzacchini said, “It is hard to even explain how much I loved this trip. It made a great and big impact on my life. I’ll never forget it!”
In addition to Miller (U16 girls) and Stauffer (U13 girls), the U.S. Youth Futsal National Teams were coached in Colombia by Soorena Farboodmanesh (U14 boys), Jeffrey Lamy (U14 girls), Otto Orf (U18 boys) and Jose Fabian Rodriguez (U16 boys).
Source/Photo Credit: U.S. Youth Futsal
