The Franklin County Youth Soccer Association (FCYSA) is introducing a new opportunity for players of all ages this spring with its 4v4 Futsal Spring Soccer League, set to begin April 11 at the Franklin County Sports Complex.
According to FCYSA board member Rogelio “RJ” Solorzano, the league offers a fast-paced version of soccer designed to help players develop skills while keeping the game fun and engaging.
“4v4 futsal is a high-intensity, small-sided version of indoor soccer that focuses on individual skill, rapid decision-making, and constant movement,” Solorzano said. “The format removes the goalkeeper to maximize field player engagement and give players more opportunities to stay involved in the action.”
The spring league will kick off on April 11 and run through May 30, with all games taking place at the Franklin County Sports Complex.
Unlike many youth sports programs that limit participation to certain age groups, the new league is designed to be highly inclusive.
“Any age from 4 to 42 can participate in our spring league,” Solorzano said. “If that age limit needs to be raised due to demand, we can do that as well.”
The program was initially inspired by conversations with Solorzano’s high school soccer players, who often talked about traveling to nearby cities to play indoor soccer during the offseason.
“That got me thinking about how we might bring something like that to Mount Vernon,” he said.
After discussing the idea with fellow FCYSA board members, Solorzano realized that the Franklin County Sports Complex fields could easily be adapted to fit the smaller 4v4 playing format. At the same time, the organization’s Facebook page began receiving increased interest from families asking about a possible spring soccer season.
“With that growing interest, we decided to create a form to see if there would be enough participation to make it happen,” Solorzano said.
Beyond simply offering another sports option, Solorzano hopes the league will help introduce more children to soccer at an earlier age.
“As I watched my players during the high school season, I realized that some of them had only started playing once they reached high school,” he said. “I wanted to try to spread the sport out and reach more kids so they could discover a love for soccer earlier.”
The 4v4 format is especially beneficial for player development. With fewer players on the field, participants have more opportunities to interact with the ball and stay involved in the game.
“The main benefits are rapid decision-making, constant movement, more touches on the ball, and learning to find open spaces to create opportunities for the team,” Solorzano explained.
Ultimately, Solorzano hopes the new league will help continue building excitement around the sport within the community.
“My hope is that it continues to foster a love for a sport that is growing in popularity,” he said, “and gives kids a chance to practice skills while having fun playing the game.”
Parents and players interested in participating can learn more and register online through the FCYSA registration page:
https://leagues.bluesombrero.com/franklincountyysa
