Two Turlock athletes are competing on an international stage this week as part of the Team USA Futsal squad at the AMF U15 (C15) Boys Futsal World Cup in Carmen del Paraná, Paraguay.
Turlock Junior High student Jace Grigsby and Turlock High student Jaciel Aviles are currently in South America representing their local futsal club and their country.
What exactly is futsal? It’s similar to indoor soccer. It’s played on a hard indoor or outdoor court roughly the size of a basketball court. There are five players per team and the ball is smaller and heavier than a normal soccer ball.
“Futsal basically was started in South America years and years ago. Professional athletes like Ronaldo, Messi and Pele, and others throughout South America, they play futsal before they start playing outdoor soccer because it’s a fast sport and it really helps build ball control,” said Jeff Grigsby, Jace’s proud futsal dad.
Jace said he first got into the sport when a club soccer coach said he would be a good fit for futsal.
When asked what his goal is for competing in the tournament, Jace said “to win.” But the junior high student said he also hopes to get noticed by international teams.
While dad had to stay behind, Jace’s mom — and former Pitman High soccer coach — Kim Runyan is in Paraguay to not only cheer her son and Team USA on, but also offer her skills as an educator to help the players keep up with their studies while out of the country.
“I can be there with the group to help the boys, because they are all going to be on independent study. I will be traveling with them as the team tutor,” said Runyan, who teaches anatomy and sports medicine classes at Pitman.
The AMF U15 Futsal World Cup will run through Sept. 14 and includes 12 national teams from five continents. Team USA is in Group C with Brazil, Catalonia and Bolivia.
“A strong group, a huge challenge, and exactly the kind of stage our boys have been working for. We are proud of this team, excited for what’s ahead, and ready to embrace the challenge,” stated Team USA on an Instagram post.
USA has already felt that uphill battle. In the first day of competition, held in Carmen del Paraná, Itapúa, defending champion Brazil beat the USA 3-2. Chile beat Mexico 2-1 and Catalonia beat Bolivia 4-1.
In other contests that day, Paraguay beat Canada 4-3, and in Coronel Bogado, the Colombian team produced the first big win by defeating Australia 11-0 and Argentina beat Uruguay 5-1.
To follow Team USA’s progress, follow @amfusaofficial.
