Futsal Feature: Therese Franco Waltrich

Therese has been a participant in ASA’s women’s futsal program for the past five years. Thank you to Therese for sharing her experiences, thoughts, and background.

What is your soccer background? When did you start playing?

I started playing soccer when I was 7 years old, but before that I would always play around in the backyard with my older brothers! Shortly after, I moved to club soccer and played for Reston, and then Mclean Youth Soccer, where I stayed throughout my middle and high school years. I also played for my high school team.

I considered playing at the collegiate level and participated in showcase tournaments and recruitment visits, then ultimately decided not to play at the varsity level in college. I played for the Club Soccer team at William and Mary throughout my undergrad years. Now, I still play about four days a week on coed and women's teams ranging from small-sided 7v7 to full field 11v11. My favorite teams are both competitive and social. :)

Therese with the ball at the USFF Regional Tournament in 2023. *(Photo by Joey Waltrich)*

When did you get involved with ASA Futsal?

I first got involved with ASA Futsal in late 2019. I was coaching with Chris Arnold at the time and he told me that I should check out the women's futsal team at ASA, so I came out to watch a women's team scrimmage. I chatted with some players then joined some open sessions, and that's when it all began!

Were you new to futsal or had you played before?

I played futsal a bit growing up during a few winter seasons when we couldn't play soccer outdoors, but nothing too formal. My coaches and teammates weren't really familiar with futsal, so we thought it was more indoor soccer without the walls! 😂 I wish I had learned more at that point, since it's a beautiful and unique sport!!

What has your futsal experience been like?

Playing with ASA for the last five years, I find that I love futsal more and more each season. I started off feeling pretty confused and frantic on the court, not understanding the movement and lacking technical knowledge and skills. Despite that, I quickly felt supported by the team community. The women I've met through the ASA team have always been so supportive on and off the court - constantly communicating during practice giving positive or specific feedback and answering my long list of questions, whether we're in the middle of the drill or on the sideline in between. I've really appreciated the honest, respectful, and caring environment that our team has continued to nurture.

I've worked with several coaches across the years, which has been really helpful to learn different strategies, tactical styles, and approaches to the game. Each coach has helped to bring in different elements or focuses for training that have allowed me to increase my knowledge and toolkit of futsal skills.

The ASA community and futsal program have given me so many opportunities to play and learn from our youth players, my teammates, and coaches. Through countless pick up sessions, inter-squad/inter-club scrimmages, friendlies with regional clubs, regional and national tournaments, playing with ASA has been a competitive, growth-focused, and really fun experience. I keep returning each season ready to learn more and grow my futsal skills because of the amazing people that I get to connect with through the program.

Has futsal and the ASA program impacted your life in ways off the court?

Futsal training with ASA has definitely scratched this training/development itch that I haven't been able to experience since playing sports more formally in high school. My club soccer team in college was player-run so we didn't have a coach and none of my current league play soccer teams have coaches.

Therese scores a goal with her head at the USFF Regional Tournament. *(Photo by Joey Waltrich)*

It's been really nice to come to futsal training and receive feedback and direction from coaches and players. I feel like I can actually set goals for myself and with our women's team, work towards those step by step, then reflect and see that progress on the court. The experience has been enjoyable and enriching and has really impacted my identity as an adult athlete.

ASA has impacted my life outside of futsal through the many friendships and connections I've been able to make through the program. The women I've met on the futsal team are dedicated, thoughtful, genuine, and hilarious. We are able to learn from each other on the court but the best part is forming these connections and seeing them grow over time. We check in with each other, share about our lives, and have some good laughs together. My soccer/futsal community has grown tremendously during the last five years because of the opportunities I've had to play with ASA, and the program has really been one of the sweetest parts of my personal life.