Futsal Superliga Pro Kicks Off in Maryland

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SHORTHANDED VA FUTSAL RUNS OUT OF STEAM LATE IN INAUGURAL MATCH

Second Half Push By Quality In10sity Side Finishes Off Visitors

July 22, 2023; Laplata, MD - VA Futsal Pro took to the road to open the inaugural Futsal Superliga season taking on one of the top pro futsal teams in the region, In10sity, falling 13-4.  With 3 of their top players out for this opening match, VA traveled with 5 and made a late signing of 2 players from Maryland, securing a couple reserves to support the starting 5.  Not an ideal opening roster, but you wouldn't know it by the start and first half play of the upstart Virginia squad.

With the depleted roster the visitors decided to sit back defensively, stay compact and take advantage of counter attack chances.  The plan worked perfectly providing several early counter attack chances that unfortunately were missed or saved by the In10sity goalkeeper.  The home side got on the board first with a counter attack goal of their own after a turnover by a VA defender while trying to build out of the back.  VA equalize at about the 12 minute mark on a breakaway goal by midfielder Markel Diflorimonte knotting the score at 1-1.  In10sity answered back 5 minutes later going ahead 2-1 but a second goal by Diflorimonte drew the visitors even at 2 a piece a few minutes before halftime.  Just as it looked like the game would get to the break even, In10sity scored on another turnover by VA and then ended the half with a great sequence and tap in to take a 4-2 advantage.

To view Superliga match #1 In10sity vs VA Futsal Pro CLICK HERE

"We competed well in the first half but with several missed opportunities and turnovers, giving In10sity 3 counter attack goals, we ended the opening half down a couple goals." said coach Kevin Darcy "We set out to play compact and counter knowing that we were low on players and that they were a very experience futsal team.  The plan worked well but by the middle of the second half we were gassed, had to chase the game and ultimately were dead, conceding several late goals making the final look much worse than it should have been.  In10sity is an excellent team, but once we get all our players into the roster and train our system of play - we will do quite well in the upcoming matches.  We showed signs of things to come but were just undermanned and not good enough on the night."

The second half started much like the first with VA defending its share and looking to counter attack, but not converting on some good opportunities.  Once In10sity broke the ice in the second half, the VA side lost their competitive spirit, had to chase the game, got stretched and gave up 6 goals in the final 8 minutes making the final score 13-4.  "It's a shame that the score ended up the way it did.  No question they were the better team but it was just a matter of time that we lost our will given our lack of players, playing on the road and being the first real futsal game at this level for our players.  I like our chances in the rematch and in the games against Washington Fire and Baltimore Kings.  We will get our system of play and our roster in order and look forward to our home opener against Baltimore on Sunday August 13th in Newport News."

Markel Diflorimonte led VA with 3 goals, Ahmed Alba scored one, Kebba Secka was outstanding in goal and Reese Wolf stood out on defense in defeat.

Tickets to the home matches will be $10, free for children 6 & under and will be made available through the team website at vafutsalpro.com.  Interested sponsors can also contact the team through the site to gain exposure on the website, social media, mass email marketing and at our home matches.

ABOUT FUTSAL SUPERLIGA
ABOUT VA FUTSAL PRO & PATH2GOAL
Home to the Peninsula and the Hampton Roads region, VA Futsal Pro provides competitive summer futsal matches in a professional league platform for former college players as well as top talent from the region. As the lone Virginia franchise, VA Futsal Pro will compete in the Futsal Superliga in its inaugural 2023 season with In10sity, Baltimore Kings and the Washington Fire. Through a partnership with Path2Goal, VA Futsal Pro serves as the top of the developmental pyramid and boasts a platform that includes grass roots to professional level teams as well as affiliations with strategic partners throughout Hampton Roads, Virginia and the Mid Atlantic Region.  

Path2Goal is a full service platform for all players & coaches to develop and gain participation opportunities.  We provide a connection for top players to move on to a national academy, college program or professional team when they have outgrown the level provided by their current club, league or team of choice.  Our staff is proud and has done their job when a player moves on to a higher level or a coach enhances their education on a path to reach their goal (Path2Goal)! Our program is partnered with Regional & National Academies, International Pro clubs as well as with college and domestic professional coaches - to provide the path for high performing players to reach their goal (Path2Goal)! In addition, Path2Goal provides sports consulting for structuring/restructuring of clubs, branding, organizational hierarchy defining roles & responsibilities, coaching education & curriculum as well as team and organizational access to discounted uniforms, gear & equipment.