http://www.socceramerica.com/article.asp?Art_ID=562134532 I am pretty sure Lovelace Ackah played for the Stingers, too.
he did, and if I am correct he may have even had a trial or two with the Fire in the early days.I am sure if Mr Wilt is creeping about he would verify whether this is fact or not.
Unsurprisingly, Brazil is generally the top futsal team in the world. Spain is right up there with them, which doesn't surprise me too much because more of their kids play futsal than full field. Schools can afford the space and maintenance of futsal courts (essentially just like basketball courts, and often used for both purposes) whereas most can't afford the space (or maintenance issues) of a full field.
What Fuego said - I read a 442 article about the Brazilian kid at Santos (why can't I remember his name) who supposed to be the next Pele, but personally thinks he is a better futsol player than soccer player.
Just to add my irrelevant two cents: once saw a documentary about it being played in Brazil. They like it for some of the traits it teaches youngsters. Because the ball is a lot heavier than a soccer ball and its small sided, it teaches young players to (1) drive crosses rather than float them in (ever notice Brazilians have a tendency to do this?), (2) swerving freekicks is harder so that when they get back to soccer balls they're better at it, and (3) weighted ball builds strength. Based on the documentary, some clubs didn't let their youth teams play with real balls until they were teenagers (insert crude joke). True or not, interesting points.
[Crude Joke]This rule was enforced to keep kids from visiting the same neighborhood homosexual that Pele lost his virginity to.[/Crude Joke]
Considering the games against Honduras are up in Milwaukee, doesn't this call for a section 8 road trip?
Here's my grain of salt: Over in the Spain, they show futsal games on broadcast television on weekend (and sometimes weekday) afternoons. They're usually on from like noon to four... after that, La Liga games usually start. It's pretty high-intensity given the small court and high skill level of play. I'm not sure exactly who the US player was, but Mr. Wilt told us a story about a US indoor goalkeeper who was invited to play keeper for the olympic handball team. Imagine being in the 70mph batting cage... but instead of baseballs, the machine is hurling soccer balls... and instead of having a bat to hit the balls, you have a goal that you must defend. That's futsal for you. Oh, and they would always broadcast Spanish team handball games post-midnight on weeknights. Apparently that's popular too. But not overly popular. I'd do a road trip up to Milwaukee to see a tournament. what are the dates? baby?
they show it in germany too i believe i watch it on SCTV 1, but i can't completely remember, the russians i believe are pretty into it. but it was on weekly.
There is/was a futsal facility in Chicago (3on3plus at Clark/Montrose, it closed ~6 months ago). I played 2 indoor seasons. It is a fantastic game: very quick, very technical, and way too much fun. Futsal is part of the push by USSF to accelerate kids learning of the game. Kids get dramatically better as players if they are introduced to futsal or other small side games. Many of the Brazilian superstars (Ronaldo) were futsal players first, soccer players second. Futsal is the only indoor game soccer recognized by FIFA. I'll be going to Milwaukee(needless to say!). CONCACAF qualifying matches against Honduras are May 18-20 in Milwaukee: http://www.futsalonline.com/gilpatrick.html http://www.futsal.com/ history of futsal: http://www.futsal.org/history/usffhist.htm