Coach Arjona's United Soccer Academy offers a futsal program during the winter season. Futsal is soccer with five players in a field the size of the basketball court. It helps to develop the individual player's coordination, touch to the ball, and decision making. Most of the best players in the world played futsal: Pele, Zico, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, etc. There are usually two futsal teams for the winter session, each with 6 to 8 players. Futsal is played at even numbers U-10, U-12, U-14 etc. Playing futsal helps to develop the players maturity and diversify their skills.

United Academy Barcelona was a finalist in the Maryland Futsal State Cup in January 2009. In February 2009, the team played in the New York regional tournament. The team was able to advance to the national tournament as a wild card team based on the good standing of the Academy with the futsal association.

National Futsal Cup Tournament

The Academy team played this past weekend in Baltimore in the annual National Futsal Cup Tournament. United Academy Barcelona started slowly with a loss to Regional champions Den of Lion 3-1, missing 2 pk opportunities on Thursday. On Friday, the team lost again to Highland Extreme 3-0. The team played well in both games but immature decisions and focus of our younger players caused the team to lose the games.

On Saturday, the team appeared to put both losses behind them and started to focus on our game. Barcelona was able to beat a great team and the eventual champions from California MASCA 3-1. In the second Saturday game versus New England, the boys learned lessons from the previous games and earned another victory. The team won 5-1.

On Sunday, Barcelona needed to win and MASCA needed to lose in order for Barcelona to move onto the final's game. The team came out fired up and played a great game versus the Star team (MD champions). It was a battle between two great teams. The boys were able to win 4-3; however, MASCA was able to beat the Highland Extreme team so Barcelona did not move onto the finals.

The teams came from less to more and the boys need to be proud of their accomplishments for coming from two losses and then winning the last three matches. United Academy Barcelona finished in third place in the entire United States Futsal Federation.

Congratulations to Xavier, Joey, Andrew, Kenneth, Noel, Antonio, Brook, Felix, Wesley, and Jamie!