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2022/2023 Winter Leagues and Futsal
When it comes to winter programming opportunities and options are only limited by how far you are willing to travel. Throughout all of Ohio there are many options for indoor soccer leagues on boarded turf fields (typically small sided) and lined turf fields (small sided and 11v11). Additionally, futsal (soccer’s cousin from the streets) has taken hold of Ohio’s indoor basketball courts and gymnasiums with futsal specific academies and leagues returning year after year.
Some of the links and businesses in this post are OSMD Insiders. OSMD Insiders are financial supporters of Soccer Moms and Dads, none of the links in this post are sponsored and insiders did not pay to be a part of this specific blog post.
Boarded Indoor Soccer Leagues
Most everyone is familiar with the boarded indoor soccer concept. A small sided turf field set-up with rounded corners, goals set into the walls and netting used for out of bound calls. Each facility has its own set up rules, similar to traditional soccer but with caveats in place to account for balls hitting the ceiling, keeping players safe up against the walls. Typically indoor leagues are a competitive, fun way to stay fit while getting winter touches on the ball. There are facilities like these all across the state. We’ve gathered programs from all around the state and featured the programs of our OSMD Insiders in the list below.
Central Ohio
Stars Indoor Sports offers youth soccer leagues for ages U7 to U18, for both boys and girls, as well as a high school co-ed league. Stars accepts team and individual registrations, with individuals placed into house teams or existing teams. Register before October 6th for $50 off your team fee, with the registration deadline October 20th. Register today to guarantee your spot!
Check out the youth programming at Resolute Athletic Complex! They offer programs for players ages 5 to 15. Registration for session 1 of leagues and camp are live now. View the graphic for more information along with registration.
Cincinnati
Join Fulcrum Fives this Winter for their youth 5v5 leagues starting early November. Games are played on its high quality non-infill turf and is specifically designed to be fast paced with minimal downtime ensuring that your players will get numerous touches on the ball per game improving their soccer IQ and field awareness. They serve birth years 2010 to 2017 and have individual or team signups available! They are conveniently located at 11510 Grooms Road in Blue Ash, OH off the I-71 and I-275 interchange.
Cleveland/Akron/Canton
CAPS is the host of winter training and year round indoor soccer leagues. They also host the Cleveland Indoor Classic https://www.casatournaments.com/page/show/2503109-cleveland-indoor-classic. A Great Lakes Alliance tournament event with a boys event held in January and a girls event held in February. Registration closes December 1st but this would be a fun event for any youth team that runs the table in their local league to come try their hand at an indoor event against other indoor teams.
Lined 11v11 Soccer Leagues
Unlike boarded indoor leagues, lined 11v11 (or small sided) leagues are not as easy to come by. Typically found in “bubble” facilities, these fields are hard to book and typically very expensive. However, you can not deny the benefits of playing 11v11 through the winter months.
The Spire indoor league in Geneva, Ohio brings together high level 11v11 teams from all over the state (and WPA and WNY) during the winter months. Teams that are already participating in Great Lakes Alliance leagues (NPL, MDL, ECNL-RL) or CASA receive a discounted registration rate, however space is very limited and fills up quickly.
Futsal Programs and Leagues
I jokingly referred to futsal as “Soccer’s cousin from the streets” but anyone who has watched or played futsal understands. This 5v5 game version of the game is fast, gritty and played on basketball or futsal courts. Wildly popular in parts of the world where creative street soccer and free play are the cornerstones of player development - futsal can be a great compliment to a soccer player’s development. Throughout the state there are futsal specific academies committed to developing futsal specific players but also supporting the player development of soccer players. There are also futsal leagues where academies and/or soccer teams can assemble teams for futsal competition.
Below we have featured futsal programming from our OSMD Insiders and included leagues where you can enter your own team from anywhere in the state.
Central Ohio
Central Ohio’s Premier Player-Centered Futsal League! Players will register as individuals, in their current age group, and each week they will be placed on a different team. SECFL is open to all players (U7 through High School) regardless of club affiliation. This format allows players to compete as individuals within the concept of team play and promotes competition between teams and players each match day! 10 Games on Saturdays at Eastside Athletics in Lithopolis
G.O.A.T. is a comprehensive futsal player development program designed to compliment the outdoor soccer season and not compete with it. They state their mission is to educate and operate under the motto “Technique Above All”. G.O.A.T. is in their first year creating boys and girls teams with dual age group rosters. They have established a program that includes winter and summer training with additional opportunities for tournament play which would be an extra cost.
The SP Academy 2022/23 Winter Indoor Futsal Program is a new program open to SP Academy members and non-members. The futsal program will provide a structured training and scrimmage environment for the winter season. All skill levels are able to participate in the program being held on Saturdays and Sundays for boys and girls U5-U19.
Cincinnati
Cleveland/Akron/Canton
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