The Major Indoor Soccer League announced today that it has ceased operations as of last Saturday and is planning to reorganize itself for a relaunch later this year. I think I speak for most Americans when I say, "We still have a Major Indoor Soccer League?"Well, we had a Major Indoor Soccer League. The team owners say this shutdown is just for housecleaning and restructuring purposes, but they would say that to convince what few fans they still have that they're not dead yet.
Then again, if this league really wants to make a splash on its return, it should abandon its walled-in game and start playing futsal.
I've written here previously about futsal, which is the FIFA-mandated 5-on-5 indoor soccer game. It is played on a basketball-like court without walls, and it emphasizes ball-handling and passing skills much more than the current indoor game MISL plays. If MISL relaunched itself as a futsal competition, it could become a league that develops creative soccer players capable of lighting up MLS (or any other league on this planet) with their skills. The league's teams could also schedule matches against the best clubs and national teams from around the world to attract new fans.
MISL already has a TV deal in place with Fox Soccer Channel. I bet that channel would love to show some futsal to its growing audience. It would be a vast improvement over the current MISL game, which, quite frankly, is painful to watch.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-02-2008 @ 11:06PM
Dr Huxtable said...
That would be awesome
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6-03-2008 @ 10:33AM
Dave said...
Futsal is definitely worth a try. I've only seen highlights of some Brazilian futsal games and the skill level was ridiculously high. . .
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6-03-2008 @ 3:19PM
Adam said...
I would not mind seeing futsal replace MISL however thinking that futsal can develop players for the MLS or other professional leagues is a stretch. Futsal and regular soccer are two different games. Soccer requires much more then just good foot skills. Futsal cannot develop players for regular 11 aside soccer. For example, probably the greatest futsal player in the world let alone in Brazil, Falcao, tried to play pro as well as for the Brazilian national team and ended up failing. He is the Michael Jordan of the sport and he couldn’t make the transition. He ended up returning to futsal where he could succeed and where the game is completely different.
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6-03-2008 @ 4:26PM
Peter said...
Yes, Futsal would be the best way to go for the MISL. Older Futsal Players do not transfer from Futsal to 11v11 soccer, but youth players, such as Ronaldinho, Robinho, Deco, Ronaldo, even Messi, all played Futsal and they say it has helped them develop their skills!
So, young players growing up playing Futsal do tranlate to the outdoor game. The last 10 years of FIFA player of the year have either played Futsal or Street Soccer, none of which have credited indoor soccer to their amazing skills!
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6-04-2008 @ 9:25AM
glrymanutd said...
Of course Brazilians and other South Americans have played futsal...that’s where it originated. Most Americans would probably credit indoor soccer to helping them because until recently there have been no organized futsal leagues in America. And since when were deco and ronaldo youth players or do you mean C. Ronaldo??? And all those players you mentioned did not start out in futsal. I understand they've played but thats not where they started. Besides what about other young players like Wilcott, Rooney, VanPersie, Paul Gascoigne and on and on..??? And tell me one player to start in futsal and then make it on 11v11??? Not one. To strengthen the MLS we need to develop our youth soccer leagues not develop a futsal league.
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6-16-2008 @ 2:36PM
BaltoBlastFan said...
I totally disagree. As a five year season ticket holder of the Baltimore Blast, I would hate to see the format changed. The wall is what keeps the game so fast paced and provides all the scoring options close to the net.
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6-17-2008 @ 5:02AM
Xavier Costa said...
Believe me, Futsal is the way to go!!
It's a very popular sport here in Europe,in Brasil, and it's becoming very important worldwide!
Futsal is the way to go...you won't regret it!
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