Historic Debut for the U.S. Women’s National Futsal Team – Local Talent Jeanette Fieldsend Shines on the International Stage

The U.S. Women’s National Futsal Team made history this past week, playing its first-ever official international matches and securing two wins against Costa Rica in San Jose. In the program’s inaugural match on Tuesday night, the team delivered a 2-0 win, with Charlotte’s own Jeanette Fieldsend etching her name in the record books by scoring both goals. The success continued in the second game, with Fieldsend once again leading the way, netting two more goals in a dominant 5-0 performance.

For Charlotte and the local futsal community, this moment is more than just a milestone in U.S. Soccer history—it is a proud achievement that highlights the development and growth of the sport in the region. Fieldsend, a standout collegiate soccer player, has deep roots in futsal, having honed her skills from a young age under the guidance of FC Bayern Futsal Academy Director and Coach Thiago.

“Jeanette has been one of the most impressive players I've had the privilege to coach and develop,” said Coach Thiago. “I remember since she was a little girl, how much ahead she was of other girls her same age. Bear in mind that she pretty much always practiced with the boys, and still, she’d do better than the majority. She was very special, and I was really happy when her mom shared the news that she was called up for the national team. Her dedication to the sport has paid off.”

Fieldsend’s journey to the national team is a testament to her relentless work ethic and love for the game. As a home-schooled athlete, she took full advantage of her flexible schedule, often training multiple times a day. Coach Thiago recalls, “She had the opportunity to practice more than once a day, and that’s what she did. I remember multiple days she’d practice futsal/indoor with me in the morning or afternoon and then come back at night for another session. That little girl had her goal of playing at the highest level, and I’m very happy she has accomplished it.”

Why Has It Taken So Long for a U.S. Women’s Futsal Team?

The absence of an official U.S. Women’s National Futsal Team until now is largely due to a combination of factors related to futsal’s development in the United States, the priorities of U.S. Soccer, and the broader landscape of women’s futsal internationally.

1. Futsal’s Limited Support in the U.S.

Futsal has historically taken a backseat to traditional outdoor soccer in the U.S. While many other countries have long embraced futsal as a developmental tool and competitive sport in its own right, the U.S. has focused more on youth soccer leagues and the collegiate system as primary pathways for player development. This lack of emphasis on futsal delayed the establishment of structured national programs.

2. FIFA’s Late Embrace of Women’s Futsal

Unlike men’s futsal, which has had a FIFA-sanctioned World Cup since 1989, women's futsal has not had the same level of international support. FIFA has yet to organize an official Women’s Futsal World Cup, and many countries only recently started investing in women’s futsal programs. The lack of a FIFA World Cup meant fewer incentives for federations like U.S. Soccer to establish a women’s national team.

3. Lack of Domestic Competitions for Women’s Futsal

For years, the U.S. has lacked a strong women's futsal league or national championship structure that could serve as a pipeline for the national team. While the men's futsal scene had more development, the women’s side lagged behind due to fewer opportunities at the club and competitive levels.

4. U.S. Soccer’s Focus on Other Programs

U.S. Soccer has heavily invested in its women's outdoor soccer program, which has been one of the most successful in the world. Resources have primarily gone into maintaining and growing the dominance of the U.S. Women's National Team in outdoor competitions, leaving futsal underdeveloped. Until recently, futsal was not a major priority for U.S. Soccer compared to other initiatives like youth development, NWSL expansion, and the men’s and women’s senior national teams.

5. Concacaf’s Recent Push for Women’s Futsal

Concacaf only recently announced the first-ever Women’s Futsal Championship, set for April 2025. Without a structured regional competition before this, there was little incentive for the U.S. to form an official team. With the introduction of this tournament, U.S. Soccer had a reason to finally establish a women’s futsal program to compete at the international level.

Looking Forward

Now that the U.S. Women’s National Futsal Team has played its first official matches and is preparing for the Concacaf tournament, there is hope that futsal will continue to grow in the country. The success of players like Jeanette Fieldsend, who developed through futsal from a young age, showcases the benefits of the sport and could inspire further investment in women’s futsal programs nationwide.

The U.S. Women’s National Futsal Team’s journey is just beginning, with their eyes set on the Concacaf W Futsal Championship in April. With players like Fieldsend leading the charge, the future looks incredibly bright for the program. As the team prepares for their final match against Costa Rica this Saturday, all eyes will be on Fieldsend and her teammates as they continue to pave the way for women’s futsal in the United States.

Charlotte’s futsal community celebrates Jeanette’s achievements, knowing that her journey started right here—on the courts where she first fell in love with the game. Her story is a powerful reminder of the impact of proper futsal training and the opportunities it can create for young athletes aiming for the highest levels of the sport.

Continue your Futsal Journey

As futsal continues to gain recognition as a cornerstone for player development in the U.S., now is the perfect time to get involved. We offer futsal training year-round in multiple locations, providing young athletes with the tools to develop their technical skills and elevate their game. Learn more about our Academy program and take the next step in your futsal journey today!