1998-2007 Costa Rica Futsal National Team Head Coach
The growth of futsal cannot go unrecognized anymore as the Untied States has continued to provide players with the outlet to expand their development off of the outdoor pitch. U.S. futsal has welcomed players and coaches from abroad to help expand the rise of futsal, with Costa Rica’s Men’s Futsal National Head Coach Carlos Quiros Alvarez have a great influence on the sport in America.
Youth Soccer News: When the 2015 US Youth Futsal National Teams traveled to San Jose, Costa Rica for training and a series of friendlies at the official training center of the Costa Rican National Futsal Teams, the players were hosted by Carlos Quiros Alvarez — an amazing man who has spent his life involved in the beautiful game.
Born in 1963 in San Jose, Costa Rica, Alvarez played Futsal professionally from 1979 to 1982 and then became the Futsal Coach for Costarican Super League – Primera Division. Alvarez is a fan of America and says his favorite movie is Star Wars and his favorite movie star is Tom Hanks. An avid Futsal fan, Alvarez is an outspoken advocate of the sport.
Alvarez welcomed the Head Coach Keith Tozer and the US Youth Futsal Teams — the top players who were selected from a national pool of platers to represent the USA and travel to Costa Rica to compete against top youth teams in San Jose.
Costa Rica, the three-time reigning CONCACAF Men’s Futsal Champions, has participated in the last two FIFA Futsal World Cups and has hosted the CONCACAF Championships on three occasions since the inaugural tournament. Los Ticos also won the CONCACAF Championship in 2000 as hosts, as well as being crowned third in 2004. Costa Rica hosted the 2016 CONCACAF Futsal Championship last May and faced off against Panama in the final. Alvarez is also a supporter of women’s sports and two years ago, Costa Rica hosted the Women’s Futsal World Tournament – the official international competition for women’s national futsal teams.
SoccerToday’s Diane Scavuzzo spoke with Carlos Quiros Alvarez, former Costa Rica Men’s Futsal National Team Head Coach from 1998 to 2007, on the growth of Futsal in the United States and the success of Costa Rican Futsal. The interview was conducted in English/Spanish.
Diane Scavuzzo: Thank your for hosting the teams in Costa Rica — this is a beautiful country. You and Keith Tozer are obviously good friends – How long have you known Keith? How did this program come together?
Carlos Quiros Alvarez: I have known Keith Tozer for many years. He is a good friend and a great coach. Exactly one year ago we began talking about the possibility of this program in Costa Rica. With great fondness, we came to an accord to be able to do this. It was a dream for everyone.
Diane Scavuzzo: ¿Cuánto tiempo hace que conoce a Keith Tozer? ¿Cómo surgió este programa en Costa Rica?
Carlos Quiros Alvarez: Yo he conocido a Keith Tozer por mucho anos. El es un gran amigo y un estupendo entrenador. Hace un ano exactamente que conversamos para ver la posibilidad de hacer esta actividad en Costa Rica. Con gran cariño y toda la disposición nos pusimos de acuerdo para poder llegar a hacer esto. Era un sueño para todos.
Diane Scavuzzo: How many of your players participated in the program?
Carlos Quiros Alvarez: Approximately 72 players from Costa Rica came to play against North America.
Diane Scavuzzo: Cuántos de sus jugadores participaron en el programa?
Carlos Quiros Alvarez: Aproximadamente, 72 jugadores de Costa Rica vinieron a jugar contra Norte América.
Diane Scavuzzo: What do you think about the American players?
Carlos Quiros Alvarez: These kids have an amazing future. I am totally surprised by their talent.
Diane Scavuzzo: Qué piensa usted de los jugadores americanos?
Carlos Quiros Alvarez: El futuro de estos niños es maravilloso. Yo estoy totalmente sorprendido de sus talentos.
Diane Scavuzzo: What do you like about Futsal?
Carlos Quiros Alvarez: Futsal is a very exciting sport. There are always vibrant moves and it is full of motivation.
Diane Scavuzzo: Qué le gusta sobre Futsal?
Carlos Quiros Alvarez: Futsal es un deporte muy vibrante. Siempre hay acciones muy vibrantes y llena de motividad.
Diane Scavuzzo: How popular is Futsal with girls?
Carlos Quiros Alvarez: In Costa Rica, girl’s Futsal is widely practiced but has not been around for very many years.
Diane Scavuzzo: Que tan popular es Futsal con las niñas?
Carlos Quiros Alvarez: En Costa Rica, el Futsal femenino se practica mucho pero no tiene mucho anos.
Diane Scavuzzo: What do you think of the PFL League which is launching soon?
Carlos Quiros Alvarez: Here we support them in any way we can. We are at the disposal for the Professional Futsal League (PFL) and all of CONCACAF. PFL is extremely important because Futsal in our region is not professional, players do not get paid to play Futsal. This league is really a dream come true for us.
Diane Scavuzzo: Qué opinas de la nueva Liga PFL?
Carlos Quiros Alvarez: Aquí los apoyamos en todo lo que podemos. Estamos a la disposición para La Liga Professional de Futsal (PFL) y para todo de CONCACAF. PFL es muy importante porque Futsal en nuestro región no es profesional, los jugadores no reciben dinero para jugar Futsal. Esta liga que se va ser, es realmente un sueño para nosotros.
Photo Credit: Diane Scavuzzo unless otherwise noted.
