Courtesy: Our Sports Central


Storm Midfielders Named To National Team

07/13/07 - Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) Chicago Storm

CHICAGO, IL - Chicago Storm midfielders Matthew Stewart and John Ball have been named to the U.S. National Futsal team that will play in the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro beginning July 23rd. This marks Stewart's first tournament with the U.S. National team, while Ball has already played in two Futsal World Cups, having played 20 games for the U.S., scoring three goals and four assists.

Stewart discussed his first time with the national team. "I'm very excited just to be named to the U.S. National Futsal Team. It's an experience that I'm looking forward to, especially taking on the best talent in South America, where the game was invented." Stewart continued, "It's going to be an honor to represent my country and the Storm."

John Ball has been there before, representing the U.S. in the 2004 Futsal World Cup but he still gets excited for international play. "There's nothing like hearing your national anthem before a game in another country. It just gives you chills," he said.

The Pan American Games begin today, July 13th, however the Futsal portion of the games do not begin until July 23rd. The team will fly out to Baltimore on July 18th for two days of training before flying to Brazil.

Futsal is an indoor soccer game played with four field players per team plus goalkeepers on a field roughly the size of a basketball court. Unlike MISL soccer, Futsal has no walls, the ball is smaller and heavier then traditional soccer balls and the goals are much smaller. The game was invented in Brazil, played the world over and is sanctioned by FIFA as the only form of international indoor soccer.

U.S. Futsal Pan-American Games Team

Roster by Position

GOALKEEPERS (2): Nick Vorberg (Milwaukee Wave), Brett Phillips (Milwaukee Wave)

DEFENDERS (3): Pat Morris (Philadelphia KiXX), Joe Hammes (Milwaukee Wave), Troy Dusosky (Milwaukee Wave)

MIDFIELDERS (4): Jamar Beasley (Detroit Ignition), John Ball (Chicago Storm), Matt Stewart (Chicago Storm), Denison Cabral (Baltimore Blast)

FORWARDS (3): Don D'Ambra (Philadephia KiXX), Enrique Tovar (California Cougars), Lee Tschantret (Baltimore Blast)

U.S. Futsal Schedule - Pan-American Games

Date Opponent Venue

July 23 Argentina Riocentro Pavillion 3B (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

July 24 Ecuador Riocentro Pavillion 3B (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

July 25 Costa Rica Riocentro Pavillion 3B (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

July 27 Placement Match Riocentro Pavillion 3B (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

July 28 Placement Match Riocentro Pavillion 3B (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)


The Chicago Storm is a member of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) since 2004. Chicago's professional indoor soccer team plays its home games at the all-new Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates. Storm offices are located at 1945 Cornell Ave., in Melrose Park. For additional information on all aspects of Chicago Storm soccer including season tickets, group outings, birthday parties and Chicago Storm Summer Soccer Camps call (866) STORM-81.



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