From Futsal to Indoor Soccer
March 9, 2021 - Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
Dallas Sidekicks News Release
Felipe De Sousa of the Dallas Sidekicks
(Dallas Sidekicks)
(ALLEN, TEXAS) - The Dallas Sidekicks have always had a strong connection to Brazil from, historic players like Tatu, to this years leading scorer Felipe De Sousa. Why does the Brazilian game translate so well to indoor? In one word - Futsal. The Sidekicks will celebrate their Brazilian players heritage with a "Brazilian Carnival Night" as they take on the San Diego Sockers in their final home game of the season on Saturday, March 20th at 7:00pm at the Allen Event Center.
Futsal is so popular in Brazil that more people play it than the outdoor version. This is very true of the youth who fall in love with the game in this small sided (5v5) version played with a smaller low bounce ball on a hard surface. The results are players who have to make very quick decisions in tight spaces with a high skill level. Brazilian players from Pelé to Neymar credit playing Futsal as helping them develop into superstars of the outdoor game.
Professional indoor soccer is rather unique to the United States and the transition from outdoor to indoor player takes a lot of time given the differences between the two distinct versions of the game. Players from Brazil, with a strong Futsal background, have a much shorter transition given the similar skill sets between the two indoor variations of soccer.
In 2019, the Dallas Sidekicks traveled to Brazil to hold a tryout to identify highly skilled players who could adapt easily to the American indoor game. It was immediately evident that those players with significant Futsal experience could make the transition the fastest. From these tryouts, the team signed Lipe for the 2019-2020 season and he made an immediate impact making the MASL All-Rookie team and the MASL All-Star after his first MASL indoor season.
Lipe played multiple versions of the indoor game in Brazil. In addition to Futsal which is played with five players, he also played fut7 which is another version played with seven players at a time. Lipe represented Brazil at the World Minifootball Championships helping the country win the championship.
Lipe only trailed fellow Brazilian, Freddy Moojen, in points after his rookie campaign. It is no surprise that the veteran Moojen has excelled at indoor soccer for many years playing Futsal growing up and more recently playing for the Canadian National Futsal team where he lives in the offseason with his family. Another Sidekicks veteran who serves as both a player and coach, Ricardinho, also grew up in Brazil playing Futsal and has represented the United States on their national team. Coach Fabinho, who played for the Sidekicks as well, is another Brazilian whose game was developed playing Futsal. The list goes on and on for Dallas.
This year the team is lead in scoring by Felipe De Sousa, another Brazilian who developed his skills using a Futsal ball. De Sousa has been on fire this season averaging more than two goals a game in his second season. He is another example of a player whose Futsal background translates very well to the indoor game.
Time is running out to see these Futsal skills on display in the indoor game with the Sidekicks final home game on March 20th for "Brazilian Carnival Night". Call the Sidekicks at 469-393-0160 for more information or visit the Sidekicks Ticket Page to select your seats.
Images from this story
 Felipe De Sousa of the Dallas Sidekicks |
Major Arena Soccer League Stories from March 9, 2021
- Sockers Weekly Report - San Diego Sockers
- From Futsal to Indoor Soccer - Dallas Sidekicks
- MASL Announces Playoff Format - Ontario Fury
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