Registration is now open for the Portland Youth Futsal League which will begin in early January.

The Portland Youth Futsal League is a collaborative project between PAYSA, Maine Lightning Soccer Club, and the City of Portland. Our goal is to offer a competitive model that focuses on player development and that is lower in cos, expands our futsal footprint in Portland, and to assist in the development of young soccer players in our city. This program offers a blend of foot skills sessions and weekend futsal league play. This program is for ages 5-14. Weekly foot skills clinics take place at Amanda C. Rowe School and Talbot Community School. An emphasis is placed on skill development through maximization of touches on the ball.

To learn more and/or to register please visit: https://leagues.teamlinkt.com/portlandfutsal/Home

What is Futsal?
Futsal is form of small-sided indoor soccer (the word is a contraction of the Spanish ‘fútbol sala’). It is played on a court and between two teams who each have five players on the pitch at any one time, rolling substitutions, and a smaller ball that is harder and less bouncy than a standard soccer ball. Futsal is faster than soccer, and is played in a tighter space. Futsal helps players make quick decisions, build confidence on the ball, and promotes creativity.

Why is futsal beneficial to players?

• Teaches how to play in tighter spaces
• Helps players make quick decisions
• Helps build confidence on the ball
• Teaches players to make constant runs to space and to make rotations
• Translates to soccer especially in the middle and attacking 3rd
• Helps players learn how to play one-touch
• Maximizes touches on the ball. This helps develop first touch
• Promotes creativity
• Helps players become a difference-maker on the field