The Philadelphia Union’s Futsal Academy wrapped up its inaugural season with a bang, as various teams within the program took home gold at several tournaments this season.

With many teams playing together for the first time, The Philadelphia Union Futsal Academy enjoyed an impressive return in tournament play this season. Over four events, the academy teams placed in first across seventeen divisions. Most notably, the U12 Girls Gold team took home first-place and placed in second in the tournament’s that the Philadelphia Union Futsal Academy teams played in this year.

Formed in March 2025, the Union Futsal Academy has been an instant success since its inception, featuring eighteen total teams across both boys’ and girls’ programs. The teams train once a week and utilize the WSFS Bank Sportsplex as their home base, giving each group access to the same world-class facilities used by the Philadelphia Union Academy and Union II teams.

Adding to the professional standards of the program, players receive elite-level coaching from professional coaches Thiago Evangelista and Fred De Silva. Both hailing from Brazil, they bring extensive experience coaching professional soccer and elite futsal teams. Additionally, the Futsal Academy partners with the prestigious Skillsinho Futsal Academy, which De Silva is the current co-director for.

“Beyond results, I’m most proud of the culture we built this season,” said De Silva. “The commitment, competitiveness, and love for the game from our players made this a really special year.” Players showcased their skills across multiple local tournaments, including the inaugural Philadelphia Union Futsal Championship at the WSFS Bank Sportsplex.

“By the end of the program, our goal was to see players taking more risks, feeling comfortable playing under pressure, improving their motor skills, and, most importantly, developing strong sportsmanship.”

Throughout the season, coaches focused on strengthening players’ “Soccer IQ” in training sessions and in games. Futsal provides a competitive edge by emphasizing skills that directly translate to the 11v11 game, including quick-decision-making, creativity, and close control. These attributes are central to the coaching philosophy within the Philadelphia Union Futsal Academy and were emphasized in every training session.

“The idea behind this program was to help kids improve their mindset,” emphasized Evangelista. “By the end of the program, our goal was to see players taking more risks, feeling comfortable playing under pressure, improving their motor skills, and, most importantly, developing strong sportsmanship.” Through playing in various tournaments and having in-game experiences, players were able to develop their individual skills and build chemistry with their teammates throughout the season.

Interested in joining the Philadelphia Union Futsal Academy? Tryouts for the 2026/27 season take place at the WSFS Bank Sportsplex next September. Official dates for the upcoming round of tryouts will be announced through the WSFS Bank Sportsplex social media, website, and email. Each player must attend a tryout to be considered for the program. This season, teams received eight training sessions and played in four tournaments against local teams.

As futsal continues to grow as a key development tool for serious soccer players, there’s no better time to step onto the court and take your game to the next level with the Philadelphia Union Futsal Academy right here at the WSFS Bank Sportsplex.

Make sure you’re following WSFS Bank Sportsplex social media channels and website to stay up-to-date on all-things related to the Philadelphia Union Futsal Academy. Questions about the program? Reach out to Becca McDermott, bmcdermott@philadelphiaunion.com