Experienced Futsal Coaching Staff Named for 2019/20 Academy
Southern California has US Youth Futsal’s 619Futsal and 619Futsal Academy, founded by Sean Bowers, which provides a professionally run Futsal league and Development Academy for youth players. With participation from nearly 5,000 youth soccer players, 619 Futsal is best of the best futsal program in San Diego — and one of the top, elite Futsal programs in America.
In Soccer, Futsal is A Key Component of Elite Player Development
619Futsal Academy announced today the nine-member coaching staff for its 2019-20 Academy program, which begins this month with tryouts starting on July 19, 2019, at the Miramar College Fieldhouse.
Founded by Sean Bowers, 619Futsal is one of the best futsal programs in America. Players who have trained at 619Futsal have been invited to trial at top professional clubs in Europe, been awarded college scholarships, and have been rostered on U.S. Soccer Youth National Teams as well as earning roster spots on US Youth Futsal National Teams that travel internationally to represent the USA and play friendlies.
Players can only learn from really knowledgable coaches, and 619Futsal Academy has a coaching staff second to none.
Sean Bowers – Former Captain of the U.S. Futsal Men’s National Team and Founder of 619Futsal.
Bowers, the leader in appearances (caps) with U.S. Futsal National Team continues to be the Academy’s Technical Director and will now assume the role of Girls Academy Director. Bowers was the Captain of the U.S. team in two Futsal World Cups and is currently the General Manager of the San Diego Sockers.
Bowers is a well-known soccer professional in America’s Finest City — and was one of the first players drafted in the inaugural MLS draft in 1996. The San Diego native has an extensive playing background including the MLS’s Sporting Kansas City (know then as the Kansas City Wizards) as well as the San Diego Sockers. Bowers is also an accomplished head coach on the college, club, and semi-pro levels as well as a coaching instructor for futsal.
“The quality and experience of the staff will directly benefit the Academy and its members,” said Bowers.
Futsal is a fabulous developmental tool which helps high achieving youth soccer players develop better technical skills and improve their speed and soccer IQ.
In Futsal, players love how much they touch the ball and its fast pace.
619Futsal Co-Founder Mike Gentry is the Director of Academy Player Development & Boys Junior Academy Director. Gentry brings a wealth of experience to the Academy, including a recent stint as the head coach of the San Diego Miramar College Women‘s team and a variety of futsal, club, and high school squads. Gentry has 35 years of playing experience with several competitive teams in San Diego and Colorado.
What is so great about futsal? The ball is constantly at a player’s foot — and there is never any player left out of the action.
Danny Madrigal, who has played professionally in Portugal, is the Boys Academy Director. His playing career includes a U.S. Futsal National Championship and as well as earning four championships as a head coach in youth divisions.
Girls and Developmental Academy Director Jim Flowers holds a USSF “D” coaching license and has a pedigree of winning as player and coach. During his over 20 years of coaching, he won a CIF title with San Pasqual High School and has led several teams to the CIF playoffs. Flowers also coached a youth team in the 2013 Volkswagen Junior National Champions.
A former professional indoor soccer player the MISL Wichita Wings as well as three other semi-pro clubs, Flowers is a dedicated coach who is devoted to developing youth players and helping them reach their dreams.
Joining the staff this year is futsal veteran and San Diego Sockers current goalkeeper, Boris Pardo. His resume includes earning caps with the U.S. National Futsal and US National Arena Soccer teams. Pardo, who will be the Academy’s first full-time goalkeeper staff member, was named the 2018-19 Major Arena Soccer League’s Goalkeeper of the Year. He compiled a 22-1 record with a 3.90 GAA last season with the Sockers.
In addition to the Directors, the Academy has four other futsal-certified coaches to advance the program. Mark Connelly, Matt Favor, Kacie Oliver and Scott Payne who bring their national and international playing experience and coaching knowledge to the 619Futsal Academy.
U.S. Youth Futsal is committed to the growth and development of youth futsal in the United States and believes the 10-month training program will help develop tomorrow’s soccer stars.
619Futsal Academy 2019-20 Tryouts
The 619Futsal Academy 2019-20 Tryouts for boys and girls takes place on July 19 & 26, and August 2, 9, 16 & 23 at the Miramar College Fieldhouse.
“The 619Futsal Academy is proud of the coaching staff that we have formed,” said Bowers. “The players in our Academy will be taught by some of the most skilled and knowledgeable futsal coaches in the country. The various extensive playing and coaching backgrounds of each will only enhance the Academy and benefit its members.”
In 619Futsal Academy’s inaugural season, more than 400 players tried out for 125 spots. Unlike many other US Youth Futsal organizations, 619Futsal was exclusively a league before launching their highly successful Academy program last year.
“619Futsal did not have teams to promote into the Academy,” said Bowers. “We are very proud of the highly talented players we attracted and the 10-month training program they have completed.”
“Going into the second year, we are looking at evolving — always wanting to improve. We have received a lot of compliments from coaches and players — our 619Futsal Academy players really improved their technical abilities during the season and are playing better soccer at a faster pace than ever before,” said Bowers.
There are a lot of synergies between the outdoor game of soccer and futsal
Sean Bowers
“At the end of the day, the most important outcome is developing players. It is clear to me that futsal needs to be part of the curriculum of elite player development,” said Bowers.
What makes 619 Futsal special? Bowers is hands-on and at the facility, often guiding players on the best Futsal techniques and answering questions.
“Most importantly, Futsal is a sport that can develop our youth soccer players — both technically and tactically — and make them more successful in the outdoor game,” said Bowers. “We are here to help grow the world’s
“Passion, creativity, movement off the ball and the ability to defend in tight spaces, along with better decision-making in 1v1 situations and ball retention — all come from playing futsal. Futsal provides the opportunity to improve all these aspects of a youth soccer player’s game.”
Related Articles on Sean Bowers and 619 Futsal: 619 Futsal Fall League, SEAN BOWERS ON FUTSAL AND YOUTH SOCCER – SoccerToday, and Former Player Sean Bowers Takes Over San Diego
Founded in 1994, and an Official Member of U.S. Soccer, US Youth Futsal has 51,795 Youth Players participating in over 100+ Leagues throughout 30 States all across the USA. With 10 Regional Championships, 1 National Championships and 8 National Teams, US Youth Futsal sets the standards in futsal in America.
