FTA shines in the highest level of Futsal tournament, bringing home two championship titles to Charlotte, NC.
This past weekend, our teams traveled to Orlando to compete in the World Futsal Showcase, representing Charlotte, NC in one of the greatest Futsal tournaments. It was a truly memorable tournament filled with valuable experiences and lessons for our players. Throughout the event, our club made a significant impact, demonstrating our organization, preparedness, and determination to face tough competition.
With immense pride, it is announced that the journey concluded with outstanding achievements, including two championship titles, a runners-up position, and a commendable 3rd place finish. The Champions in their respective categories were the 2011 boys and the 2008/09 girls. Additionally, the 2010 Boys reached the final and finished as Finalists, while the 2010/2011 Girls secured an impressive 3rd place finish. These remarkable accomplishments were accomplished in the highly competitive Gold Division bracket.
Over the course of the tournament, our club competed in a total of 22 matches, resulting in a remarkable club record of 16 wins, 2 draws, and 4 losses. Throughout these games, our players displayed immense talent, scoring a total of 105 goals while conceding 68.
Now, let's take a closer look at how each team performed leading up to their final matches.
We begin with the outstanding performance of our 2008/09 Girls. They remained undefeated throughout the tournament, securing back-to-back championship titles with a record of 4 wins and 1 draw. Displaying their remarkable teamwork, the girls scored 25 goals and conceded 11. Their final match against Nxt Level Futsal from Orlando saw them overcome a 3-goal deficit to stage an incredible comeback, ultimately securing a 5-3 victory and earning the championship for the second consecutive year.
Next, our 2010/2011 Girls concluded the tournament with a well-deserved 3rd place finish. They achieved 2 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss. Scoring a total of 17 goals and conceding 8, their final match against SPF Rapinoe from New Jersey showcased their dominance with a resounding 9-0 victory. Notably, their decisive match was against an all-star Eddie Johnson team, comprised of high elite girls from all over the country. They lost 6 x 3 after been up by 2 x 0. However we'd like to highlight their resilience and fighting spirit as we can say this game was the "Alabama of college football" against the "Florida Gators." The girls did such an amazing job that opponents' parents said this was the toughest competition they've had in the year.
Moving on to the boys' teams, we start with the 2010 Boys, who demonstrated tremendous growth throughout the tournament and over the years. Finishing as finalists, they battled against a formidable team from New York in the final, ultimately securing a well-deserved 10-3 second-place finish. However, the final result does not properly explain how the game was. Our boys had many 1v1 opportunities in the beginning in which could have generated a different outcome. With a record of 3 wins and 1 loss, they scored 19 goals while conceding 17. Their standout performance came in the semi-finals, where they triumphed over a skilled Brazilian team with a stunning 6-3 victory. This was their third consecutive year participating in the tournament and their record has gotten better after each event. First year, they didn't even qualified for playoffs, last year, they finished as winners of the silver bracket, and this year they finished second in the gold division.
Our club's second Champions were the 2011 boys, who had an amazing run and also finished undefeated without dropping any single point along the way. They finished the tournament with 4 wins out of 4 matches, with 16 goals scored and only 2 goals conceded, one in the semi-final and one in the final, which is the lowest number of conceded goals across all divisions. Their semi-finals and final were very tight and both ended with a victory by 2 x 1, after been down 1 x 0. The team showed a lot of resilience and fighting spirit to not give up and fight until the last minute. Last season they only finished winners of the Bronze division, which shows an amazing team development.
Lastly, our 2014 Boys participated in their first national competition, gaining invaluable experience along the way. Despite their quarter-finals loss in the silver division, they exhibited remarkable growth throughout the tournament. With a record of 3 wins and 2 losses, they scored 28 goals and conceded 30. It is worth mentioning that this was our only team in the event without a dedicated goalkeeper, which could have possibly made a difference in their results.
The deepest gratitude is extended to all the families, coaching staff, organizers, and players for their unwavering support and contributions to this incredible tournament. It is hoped that each and every individual had a positive experience and eagerly anticipates future events.
If you are a player interested in joining our club for the upcoming 2023/24 season, there's still time to be a part of our exciting journey. The season runs from September 2023 to July 2024, and we are currently finalizing our team rosters. We invite you to visit our website at www.futsalta.com/academy to learn more about our comprehensive year-round program. By playing Futsal and joining our club, you will benefit from the unique advantages this fast-paced indoor sport offers, such as improved technical skills, increased tactical awareness, enhanced decision-making abilities, and intensified game speed. Join our club and embark on an incredible developmental pathway that will sharpen your abilities and unlock your full potential. Don't miss out on this opportunity to be part of our thriving Futsal community.