Anonymous
Post 09/26/2024 12:44     Subject: Futsal Clubs
Reviving this thread. Any recent feedback on futsal programs in the area?
Anonymous
Post 09/20/2023 09:21     Subject: Futsal Clubs
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The official announcement: https://alexandria-soccer.org/programs/futsal/academy-futsal/


I don't see the location listed in that announcement, maybe I'm missing it?


“We are thrilled to announce a new home for the Academy Futsal program for the 2024 season! Athletic Republic, a premier eight court facility with top of the line amenities, will host many practices, league games, and our own Capitol Futsal Cup. AR is conveniently located within 20 minutes of Alexandria.”

The “20 minutes” claim is dubious.


ah- thanks! My kid's club team practices year-round. It doesn't shut-down in the winter for Futsal like Alexandria so a drive that far would preclude this as an option.
Anonymous
Post 09/20/2023 06:58     Subject: Futsal Clubs
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The official announcement: https://alexandria-soccer.org/programs/futsal/academy-futsal/


I don't see the location listed in that announcement, maybe I'm missing it?


“We are thrilled to announce a new home for the Academy Futsal program for the 2024 season! Athletic Republic, a premier eight court facility with top of the line amenities, will host many practices, league games, and our own Capitol Futsal Cup. AR is conveniently located within 20 minutes of Alexandria.”

The “20 minutes” claim is dubious.
Anonymous
Post 09/19/2023 11:14     Subject: Futsal Clubs
Anonymous wrote:The official announcement: https://alexandria-soccer.org/programs/futsal/academy-futsal/


I don't see the location listed in that announcement, maybe I'm missing it?
Anonymous
Post 09/19/2023 10:59     Subject: Re:Futsal Clubs
Arlington has just announced Futsal Program this year. Not sure how the program run last year but they got Sascha Filippi who is the assistant coach of the national futsal team. Alternative for those who have been playing with Alexandria Futsal but don't want to drive to MD this winter.

http://arlingtonsoccer.com/programs/other-programs/futsal/

Any insight on Arlington Futsal last year?
Anonymous
Post 09/15/2023 12:35     Subject: Futsal Clubs
The official announcement: https://alexandria-soccer.org/programs/futsal/academy-futsal/
Anonymous
Post 09/14/2023 09:56     Subject: Futsal Clubs
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:DS loves futsal and played for Alexandria in the past. We were left frustrated by the lack of training facilities last season. They were either packed into a tiny elementary school gym or outside on a makeshift futsal court/turf. Haven't heard anything yet on what they plan to offer this year and would be reluctant to sign up without confirmation on what specifically they are offering.


Saw on Instagram they plan to work out of Athletic Republic Capitol Region in Forestville MD. Will be interesting to see how many people want to make that trip multiple nights a week


My kid has been playing on a top ASA futsal team for the past few years. It's been a great experience. But if ASA moves their futsal program to Maryland, no freaking way are we participating -- we simply cannot make the logistics of schlepping to Maryland during rush hour.

I haven't heard this yet, but it would be the biggest bonehead move if they did this. Even during COVID they managed to keep the teams going with other gym options. No middle schools (or elementary schools) in FCPS even have sports teams, and they all have gyms. Surely there is a way to obtain suitable practice space at least in the state of Virginia, if not in Alexandria itself.
Anonymous
Post 09/14/2023 08:44     Subject: Re:Futsal Clubs
I think it's funny that in the same thread people are complaining about ASA using local gyms and also complaining when they find a facility that offers more space and is 20-25 minutes away. I know it's not the same people but good lord, how easy do you think it is to find space?
Anonymous
Post 09/14/2023 07:50     Subject: Futsal Clubs
Anonymous wrote:I would be curious about Alexandria moving to Athletic Republic in District Heights. How far do the people in Alexandria want to drive? I can see this really pushing people to the St.James or other closer options.


For sure. With so many new futsal clubs opening in the NVa area, seems odd they would expect their families to commute to MD for this.
Anonymous
Post 09/13/2023 22:19     Subject: Re:Futsal Clubs
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Alexandria is basically blurring the line between soccer and futsal. This is a mistake. A good soccer player does not make a good futsal player and vice versa. They aren't even bothering trying kids out by watching them play futsal. They are simply observing them playing soccer and assigning them a futsal team. Basically, they've given up on futsal and are using the program to rake in more money in the winter months. Sad.


I think you are overstating several things.

First, ASA’s top futsal teams—which are very competitive—have typically been made up mostly of ASA’s top team soccer players. That’s not going to be a big change.

Second, for non-soccer player (or more realistically soccer players from clubs other than ASA), they can sign up and “will be invited to attend an Academy practice session for evaluation by the coaching staff from August 21st-October 1st. An additional ID/tryout day will be hosted in mid-October for external players if needed.” So there is a pathway to playing ASA futsal even if you’re not an ASA soccer player.

Third, I while I think it’s true that not every type of good soccer player makes a good futsal player (ie, for futsal there’s greater need for technical skills and finishing, less for size and raw speed) there is clearly substantial overlap and soccer; futsal coaches can reasonably identify futsal-relevant skill levels during soccer drills and observation of soccer sessions.

Will the season-long observation of Alexandria soccer players give them a leg up for making a futsal team? Probably a little bit, yeah. Given that nearly all kids who play futsal also play soccer, I don’t see that as unreasonable. It’s been stated many times how much futsal helps develop and improve soccer skills. If there’s a slight advantage for Alexandria soccer players when it comes to Alexandria’s futsal teams, that seems to me not unreasonable and just something that naturally comes with being part of a club.

Instead of griping about Alexandria, non-ASA soccer players can lobby their soccer clubs to also initiate a futsal program.


Thanks coach.
Anonymous
Post 09/13/2023 22:18     Subject: Futsal Clubs
I would be curious about Alexandria moving to Athletic Republic in District Heights. How far do the people in Alexandria want to drive? I can see this really pushing people to the St.James or other closer options.
Anonymous
Post 09/13/2023 21:38     Subject: Re:Futsal Clubs
Anonymous wrote:Isn’t futsy just for winter touches… or is there a post youth pathway?


If you’re calling it futsy, it’s probably a good idea to get out of the way, like now.
Anonymous
Post 09/13/2023 21:08     Subject: Futsal Clubs
Forestville? We won’t be playing
Anonymous
Post 09/13/2023 20:05     Subject: Futsal Clubs
Anonymous wrote:DS loves futsal and played for Alexandria in the past. We were left frustrated by the lack of training facilities last season. They were either packed into a tiny elementary school gym or outside on a makeshift futsal court/turf. Haven't heard anything yet on what they plan to offer this year and would be reluctant to sign up without confirmation on what specifically they are offering.


Saw on Instagram they plan to work out of Athletic Republic Capitol Region in Forestville MD. Will be interesting to see how many people want to make that trip multiple nights a week
Anonymous
Post 09/13/2023 18:01     Subject: Futsal Clubs
Anonymous wrote:Intensity is all hype and marketing. The teams really deteriorate once they hit u13.


That's because they take top soccer players and at u13 these kids are doing mlsnext and are not able to so all the travel commitment. U12 and below usually have a slower season during winter.

They are expensive and only do once weekly practices now which is not cost effective for the price. There is also sporting MD and beast futsal in VA which I am not as familiar with. Futsal training is very helpful for many players regardless of the team.