Courtesy: Philly Burbs

Local soccer squad fares well at nationals

By JASON HASLAM

Bucks County Courier Times

What a nine months it's been for FC Bucks United.

A squad of nine players comprised of players from Bucks County, recently finished off a successful run in the Futsal National Championships where it finished in third place.

“We were all new to playing this type of game,” coach Rob Brown said. “We only played together for about a month or two. We did well and played hard not really knowing the game that well.”

This isn't your typical game of soccer. Futsal soccer requires just four players on the field and a goalkeeper. Brown said it's a faster game, which allows for players to develop better footwork skills.

Bucks United was only together for about two months when it finished as a runner-up in the state finals

(Note: Pennsylvania does not have a state title, so the team played it in New Jersey in January).

The excellent play earned it a berth into the regionals, then an at-large bid into the national championships held in Anaheim, Calif., in late July.

“In the first game we were a little scared and nervous, so we went down early,” Brown said.

“We got better as the tournament went and you could see the difference in our play and did much better.”


Despite dropping its first match, the local squad showed its resolve with back-to-back 10-3 victories.

FC Bucks United ended up going 2-2 in the tournament, taking third place after losing to eventual champion MACSA (Mexican and Colombian Soccer Association) based in California, 14-6.

“Our guys had to adjust because with MACSA, you could see them running plays,” Brown said. “It was almost like basketball. Our athleticism really carried us.”

Local players like Blake Copson (from Bensalem) and Nicholas Tucci (Langhorne) kept pace well with the game's fleet-footed style of play to lead FC Bucks United.

The newfound competition and success left Brown already thinking about next year and how his guys will handle everything with a year of experience under their belt.

“It was incredible for the kids,” Brown added. “We were given Olympic-type credentials. When the kids saw the building we were playing in, they knew this was the real deal. You can't pay for an experience like that.”




Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com