2024 Futsal Champions Series Preview

It's an exciting year and a new era for FCS filled with firsts!  Previously, FCS has commonly been known for it's short series amongst four teams, all hosted at the Lansing Arena.  As the premier facility for futsal in the country, teams have benefited from an environment that allows them to test not only their skills on the court, but their capacity to manage league play at a higher level.  The intimacy of double headers at the Arena with no exposure to the outside world has found hidden gems in the Midwest that have become mainstays.  Between the development and outside factors in the futsal landscape, FCS is now poised to take major steps towards becoming the premier league in the USA.

This year, everything changes as FCS adapts to a traditional regular season schedule, with home and away matches.  Looking to bring a higher standard to the futsal scene in the United States, teams are taking a thoughtful approach to how the conduct their season this year.  With continued support of the league, these teams are now taking what they learned at the Arena and applying the concepts in their hometowns.  

Not only will teams be plying their trade outside of The Arena this year, but streaming services are being introduced to the league.  Fans across the Midwest and beyond will now be able to follow along with the action live on the FCS YouTube channel.  Another big first for a league that has traditionally stayed out of the spotlight and focused on team development.         

All these exciting changes are spurred by the addition of two high quality clubs to the field of play.  Expanding FCS from the Grand to the Ohio River, we see our first Buckeye State based team enter the contest in Ginga FS.  No strangers to high levels of competition, the team played two seasons in NFPL before taking a season to reset and assess how they could make futsal more accessible to its fans and the world.    Their presence in the league is going to compliment the level of professionalism within the league.  

Arguably the most anticipated addition of the year is NFPL champion side Grand Rapids OLe.  Three-time finalists, winning the league in two of those attempts, Grand Rapids joins the league looking for a new challenge.  Coach Fabian Rodriguez's side will surely raise the bar of competition within the organization, as they look to add additional hardware to their cabinet back in Grand Rapids.  Looking deeper into the Grand Rapids scene, the cross town rivalry with Midwest United is surely circled on most fan's calendars.  A community rich in futsal, is there room for two powerhouse teams in Western Michigan?   

There's no question that this budding rivalry will take a main stage spotlight, as Midwest United is comprised of an impressive roster full of players that saw the club become finalists in the last Series.  The team that spoiled their trophy attempt, Detroit Imperial will have something to say about all the excitement elsewhere in the league. 

Defending champs lead by Davide Di Poce did "double duty" last year, participating in FCS as well as the NFPL season.  As they look to defend their FCS championship,  will a consolidated schedule away from a second league strengthen their roster as they look to repeat?  The well travelled squad is battle hardened, with a style of play that exemplifies that famous "Detroit toughness".  They'll be a tough team to uproot.

Within Detroit we find another cross town rivalry in the way of Mitwest Futsal Club.  A team that has been a mainstay since the inaugural FCS series, young talent within the squad will be looking to be dark horses against some of the most talented clubs on the futsal scene.  Having tasted glory in past Series, this club is looking to take advantage of the new season's format and spotlight as a fresh start and capitalize on a fresh start.  Can they conquer Detroit and create a wrinkle in the storybooks for seasons to come?  

Of course the nucleus of the league cannot be ignored.  Lansing City will continue to be bannerman for the quality of futsal the Country should expect.  Another club with previous Series triumphs, can they re-find that magic as they adapt to life outside the Arena for the first time since 2020?  Led by USMNT veteran Jeremy Klepal, this young squad of future futsallers finds themselves surrounded by titans of the Midwest, with their biggest challenge to date.  

With the most exciting field of teams to date, and big changes to format by the league, a truly pivotal season is on the horizon!  As the futsal landscape in the United States continues to change, an exciting new era of FCS unfolds before our eyes.  Don't miss any of the action this season!