Today, we focus on the growth of Futsal in the U.S.,and we had the opportunity to meet Andrea
Urbisaglia, a former professional Italian Futsal player, well-known in the Futsal community for his 15+ years of playing at the highest level in Italy’s Serie A.
Andrea holds the top Futsal coaching licenses from both Italy and Spain, and he is also completing the prestigious UEFA B Futsal international course. Through his platform, “US Futsal Coach,” Andrea is bringing Futsal to the U.S., aiming to help the sport grow in a country full of exceptional athletes!
Andrea, can you tell us about your journey and what drives your passion for Futsal?
Futsal has been my passion since I was a kid growing up in Rome. Playing professionally for 20 years and later coaching in Italy, Spain, and U.S., I’ve seen firsthand how powerful this sport can be in developing players, not just technically but also mentally and tactically. I’m driven by a desire to share this knowledge and experience in the U.S., where I’ve been for the last five years. Futsal is more than just a game for me—it’s a tool for youth development, teamwork, and creativity on and off the court.
What sets you apart as a coach, especially in the U.S. Futsal landscape?
I bring over three decades of experience, having coached in top futsal environments across Europe
and now here in the U.S. My approach is holistic - I work on every aspect of the player’s development, from their technical and tactical understanding to their mental and physical conditioning. Whether I’m coaching elite youth or adult teams, I focus on making players think fast, adapt, and improve their skills. My philosophy is to empower players to make their own decisions by providing them with all the tools they need and allowing them to be the protagonists on the field.This is why I believe I’m uniquely positioned to coach high-level Futsal in the U.S., where the sport is growing rapidly.
How do you incorporate your passion for working with kids into your coaching?
I love working with young players because that’s where the foundation is built. Futsal is the perfect sport to develop kids’ technical skills—tight control, quick decision-making, and creativity. But beyond the skills, I focus on building their confidence, teamwork, and mental resilience. My goal is to make sure that what they learn in Futsal can also be applied in soccer and in life. I believe that every training session should be a step forward in their overall growth as athletes and individuals. From 8 years to 14 years kids should play Futsal, and incorporate consistently it to their Soccer schedule.
What’s your vision for expanding Futsal in the U.S., especially with your clinics?
My mission is to spread Futsal’s influence across the U.S. by organizing clinics for players of all levels. These clinics will focus on helping players understand the key elements of the game while improving their technical, tactical, and physical skills. I want to create opportunities for kids and adults to experience Futsal at a high level, understand the game better, and ultimately help raise the level of Futsal in this country.
You’re also offering online clinics for coaches. Can you tell us about that?
Yes, I’m excited about launching online clinics for coaches. My goal is to help coaches not only understand the game of Futsal but also teach it effectively to their players. Here in the U.S., many Futsal coaches are primarily soccer coaches, and others may be Futsal coaches without experience at the higher levels or in countries where Futsal has a strong presence.
This gap in experience and knowledge is why coach education is crucial to giving consistency to the overall growth of Futsal in the U.S. In my clinics, I’ll be sharing my methods for building drills that are directly tied to game situations, helping coaches create sessions that focus on the core concepts of Futsal—like positioning, decisionmaking, and strategical play. By improving coach education, we can raise the level of teams and ensure Futsal develops into a more recognized and respected sport here like it deserves.
What’s your ultimate goal for Futsal in the U.S., and how do you see the sport evolving in the coming years?
My ultimate goal is to see Futsal become a key part of youth development across the U.S., with more players and coaches understanding its value both on and off the court. I believe that Futsal has the potential to grow not only as a sport but also as a fundamental tool to enhance soccer skills and overall athletic development. For this growth to happen, it’s essential for American soccer and Futsal coaches to be more open to collaboration and constructive feedback. We need to accept that learning as a country comes through sharing knowledge and helping each other improve. By fostering a culture of mutual support and cooperation, we can collectively raise the level of Futsal and soccer in the U.S. It’s an exciting time for the sport, and I’m committed to being part of that journey, helping it reach its full potential.
Andrea Urbisaglia at work
Andrea Urbisaglia and his guys
Spreading the futsal knowledge in the US
Close up on Andrea Urbisaglia
Andrea Urbisaglia during a clinic
Sharing the passion for futsal
During a training session
Youth futsal is the key
Andrea Urbisaglia playing for Petrarca Padova in the Italian Serie A
Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com