From Futsal to Indoor Soccer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE        
Paul Donaghy
469-393-0162
paul@dallassidekicks.org

(ALLEN, TEXAS: March 9, 2021) – 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.

ABOUT THE DALLAS SIDEKICKS
The Dallas Sidekicks is an American professional indoor soccer team of the Major Arena Soccer League. The organization was established in 1983, is headquartered in Allen, Texas, and plays all home games at the Allen Event Center. Follow the Sidekicks at www.dallassidekicks.com and on their social media.
Facebook: @gosidekicksofficial Twitter: @gosidekicks Instagram: @gosidekicksofficial

ABOUT THE MAJOR ARENA SOCCER LEAGUE
The Major Arena Soccer League represents the highest level of professional arena soccer in the world. The MASL features teams across North America, with teams playing coast-to-coast in the United States and Mexico. The MASL is currently incorporated as a 501(c)6 not for profit corporation formed to promote the business and sport of arena soccer.