No one is more experienced than Keith Tozer when it comes to soccer played under a roof. Tozer is not only the current U.S. Futsal National Team head coach, but he is also a FIFA futsal instructor, Technical Director for U.S. Youth Futsal, and in his spare time serves as the Commissioner of the new Professional Futsal League (PFL).
Add his current credentials to his experience as a player and coach in the top indoor soccer leagues and you can see why he is a highly sought-after teacher of the smaller version of the sport. Last weekend, Tozer brought his knowledge and energy to Colorado and spent three days working with players and coaches at the new Northfield High School.
“The Colorado soccer community has really embraced futsal,” says Brian Crookham, Rapids Sr. Director of Soccer Development. “We see futsal as a valuable tool in our player development process. Having Keith here for these weekends provide great value not only for our players and coaches, but also for the greater soccer community.”
Tozer began the weekend with a coaching clinic attended by staff from the Colorado Rapids programs, local college coaches and representatives from several other clubs and futsal leagues across the state.
“I am extremely excited to come and teach the game of futsal to the Colorado Rapids coaches and players. Knowing the nuances in futsal will enhance their abilities in the outdoor game,” said Tozer. "I have had limited opportunities to work with MLS clubs to this point with the Rapids being the first club to reach out directly. I hope this will be the beginning of more cooperation in coaching and player development between the futsal community and traditional player development model.”
While the coaches stayed around to observe in the background, the remainder of the weekend was focused on the players. Tozer worked with Rapids youth players with birthdates ranging from 2001 to 2004.
Several Rapids players are already involved in the U.S. Futsal National Team program and after their experience this weekend many more aspire to work with Tozer on a bigger stage.
“I loved learning more about futsal from the National Team coach and being able to play games where I can incorporate the things we have learned,” said TJ Gibson a 2003 player in the Rapids Academy.
The weekend gives the Rapids Youth Development System a head start on the New Year, which will include extensive futsal programming for 2016.
