US Soccer Parts Ways with Hewerton Moreira: Analyzing the Impact and Looking Forward

Evaluating the Transition, the Implications for US Futsal, and Potential Future Directions

Hewerton Moreira, recently appointed as head coach of the U.S. National Futsal Team by US Soccer, has been sacked following a disappointing performance in the CONCACAF Futsal Championship this year. High expectations marked his tenure, but ultimately, the team failed to live up to its potential under his leadership. This section will delve into Moreira’s appointment, his team’s performance in the CONCACAF Futsal Championship, and his dismissal.

(Main picture source: US National Extended Teams Instagram)

Dusan Jakica’s Success and the Context of Moreira’s Appointment

Dusan Jakica, the previous head coach of the U.S. National Futsal Team, was known for his significant contributions to American futsal. Jakica, a futsal specialist, achieved notable success, including leading the team to the 2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup, ending a 13-year wait. His tenure was marked by strong defensive tactics and effective game management, which saw the U.S. perform admirably on the global stage.

Dusan Jakica – Source of the picture: US Soccer website

However, despite these achievements, Jakica was replaced by Hewerton Moreira. The transition from Jakica to Moreira highlighted a shift in coaching philosophy and strategy. While Moreira brought experience in futsal as a player, his background was more intertwined with indoor soccer, especially as a coach. This shift in leadership raised questions about aligning coaching expertise with the sport’s needs.

Performance Analysis: CONCACAF Futsal Championship

At the CONCACAF Futsal Championship, the U.S. team entered as a strong contender, buoyed by their impressive runner-up finish in the previous World Cup cycle. In 2021, the team showcased a solid defensive record, conceding only 5 goals in the group stage and 4 more in the knockout rounds, ultimately reaching the final.

This year, however, the team faced a stark contrast in performance. Conceding 16 goals – 14 in the group stage and 2 more in the quarterfinals – revealed significant defensive frailties. Additionally, the team’s discipline and temperament were questioned by commentators, potentially reflecting underlying issues within both player and coaching staff dynamics. Did they trust the tactics? Did they agree with the lack of rotations or the absence of tactical changes, such as defending leads despite consistently showing defensive weaknesses? These challenges, we believe, contributed to the decision to part ways with Moreira, as the team failed to meet the high expectations set for international competitions.

Upon reflection, and after discussions with various sources, I feel for Hewerton Moreira. Coming from Brazil with a deep love for futsal, Moreira undoubtedly wants to see the U.S. National Futsal team, and the sport succeed in the United States, his adopted home. However, if our sources are correct, he was recruited into a politically charged situation following Dusan Jakica’s sudden and unexplained sacking.

Jakica had just returned from Croatia, where the team had won the 2022 Umag Nations Cup by defeating the Czech Republic U21s (5-3), Slovenia U21s (5-2), and France U23s (5-3) in the friendly tournament at the Novigrad Sports Hall. The team also played three friendly matches during the two-week trip, tying and defeating Montenegro’s full team prior to the tournament and beating the Czech Republic U21s again on the last day. Ten players made their USA debuts as the team went undefeated over the six matches.

Additionally, Jakica had been proactive in taking groups of young players abroad to Argentina and Portugal, trying to urge U.S. Soccer to develop an academy system to prepare players for the national team and familiarize them with his style of play and expectations.

Despite not being a full-time national team coach, he tried to work like one. He traveled the country, engaged with MLS clubs, universities, high schools, and other organizations to promote futsal, the national team, and the opportunities the sport offers to both players and those interested in coaching and refereeing.

He was eager to raise awareness of the professional opportunities within futsal, hoping that a professional league could emerge from the national team’s success. He believed that continued success would prompt US Soccer to provide more support and promotion. By consistently qualifying for World Cups, he envisioned home international friendlies and increased media interest, which would further elevate the sport’s profile in the United States. But, most importantly of all, Dusan commanded a lot of respect from his staff and the players, all of whom trusted in his decision-making on and off the court. However, all of the effort, and all of the hopes faded with his unexpected sacking, for reasons that remain unclear. The official explanations that we have been provided, don’t make sense, and while there are political theories circulating as well, we cannot share these, as we cannot confirm their veracity.

Reflecting on Hewerton Moreira’s Tenure

It feels like Hewerton Moreira was doomed to fail from the start. His appointment was celebrated on the US Soccer website but his departure was quietly announced via a social media post, stating: “U.S. Soccer has parted ways with #USfutsalMNT head coach Hewerton Moreira. We would like to thank Hewerton for his contributions to the programme and wish him the best moving forward.”

However, Hewerton took to his social media to send a heartfelt message to the fans, players, and staff:

“I wanted to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for your unwavering support and belief in me. Although my time with the US Futsal National team was shorter than I had planned and hoped, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity, trust, and the experiences we shared. I especially want to thank the players who were dedicated and committed to the US National team, particularly those who left during the MASL playoffs to represent the USA in the CONCACAF Qualifiers. Your dedication and sacrifice did not go unnoticed and are truly appreciated. A big thank you to the staff as well, who worked extremely hard to give the players the support they needed. Your efforts were invaluable. I believe that Futsal will continue to grow in the US, and I will continue to work to help make that happen. I’ll be supporting and cheering the US National team to get to the level that they deserve. Thank you for everything. Go USA Best regards, Hewerton Moreira”

We wish Hewerton well wherever the next chapter takes him.

Hewerton, like his predecessor, Keith Tozer, though lovers of futsal and passionate about the sport, has primarily built their careers in indoor soccer. Their expertise and day-to-day focus have largely revolved around the indoor variant, which, while similar, is distinct from futsal in terms of style, rules, and development pathways.

In our previous article, “Navigating the Intersection of Futsal and Indoor Soccer: A Critical Analysis,” we argued that the influence of indoor soccer over futsal needs to end. As the sport continues to grow, the US Futsal national team should be led by coaches dedicated solely to futsal. This shift is crucial for the sport’s development and success on the international stage.

The Evolution of Indoor Soccer and Futsal

The historical connection between indoor soccer and futsal is well-documented. Indoor soccer served as an initial platform for futsal development in the U.S., but the two sports have evolved into distinctly separate entities. Indoor soccer’s influence while significant in the sport’s early days, has become less relevant as futsal has carved out its own identity and needs.

Indoor Soccer vs. Futsal: Futsal, with its specific rules, playing style, and tactical demands, is fundamentally different from indoor soccer. Indoor soccer, which often shares common elements with traditional soccer, operates under different constraints and styles that do not necessarily align with futsal’s unique requirements. As futsal has matured, it has become clear that continuing to blend it with indoor soccer approaches is counterproductive.

Focusing on Futsal: For U.S. Soccer to foster genuine growth in futsal, it must prioritize the sport independently of indoor soccer. This means acknowledging futsal’s distinct characteristics and investing in a dedicated approach. A coach who has dedicated his full-time career to futsal should lead the team to ensure that strategies and development are aligned with the sport’s specific needs.

Who should lead the team going forward?

For many commentators and fans, the obvious choice would be for US Soccer to reinstate Dusan Jakica as head coach. However, would Dusan be willing to return? If he were to accept the role, he would likely come with demands to ensure a better working environment and to enhance the futsal programme beyond just the national team. The critical question is whether US Soccer is prepared to invest beyond their current budget and remove futsal from the extended international team department, giving the sport an increased focus and resources. This scenario seems very unlikely.

Additional potential American-based contenders:

Constantine ‘Conny’ Konstin

Constantine ‘Conny’ Konstin is a highly qualified coach with extensive experience in both soccer and futsal coaching. While this may seem contradictory to our call for a focus strictly on futsal, it’s important to note that soccer/football is the official sport of FIFA, whereas indoor American soccer is not officially recognized by US Soccer or FIFA. And Conny has coached different national futsal teams along with a successful track record in player development and has coached at various levels, from high school to collegiate, professional clubs to national teams to the Olympic Development Programme. He is a certified FIFA Coaching Instructor for Football and Futsal, having supported the development of aspiring coaches and led FIFA Futsal and Football coaching courses worldwide.

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA – OCTOBER 10: Trinidad & Tobago coach Constantine Konstin of the United States of America conmmunicates with his team against Tonga in the Women’s Group C match between Tonga and Trinidad & Tobago during the Buenos Aires Youth Olympics 2018 at Tecn?polis on October 10, 2018 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

“Constantine has collaborated with us on multiple world futsal development projects, as well as leading teams and national teams. In all of his activities, he has stood out for his high technical competence and for his ability to lead highly competitive groups, as well as development and grassroots groups. For all of these reasons, I irrefutably endorse his ability to understand new projects with absolute solvency and security.” – Javier Lozano, President, LNFS.

Education and Coaching Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Sports Management from the University of San Francisco (1994)
• Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts from San Francisco State University (1980)
• USSF A License (since 1992)
• UEFA A License Intro Certificate
• NSCAA Premier Diploma
• FIFA Coaching Instructor
• CONCACAF Coaching Instructor (since 2016)
• FIFA Beach Soccer Certificate (2012)
• FIFA Futsal Instructor

Coaching Experience – below are his most recent roles:

• Haitian Men’s Futsal National Team Head Coach (2024 – Present) – Led the national team into the 2024 CONCACAF Futsal Championship
• Trinidad & Tobago Men’s Futsal National Team Head Coach (Nov 2019 – May 2021) Led the team into the 2021 CONCACAF Futsal Championship
• Trinidad & Tobago Women’s U18 National Futsal Team Head Coach (Jul 2018 – Oct 2018) – led the team into the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Argentina

Playing Career – though Conny has a professional football background, he also played Futsal:

• Began playing for the US national futsal team in 1985
• US national futsal team Player/Assistant Head Coach in 1987
• Competed in the Pacific Rim Cup

His career is extensive, and this is just a glimpse. He has significantly contributed to the development of numerous futsal national team players and professional soccer players, including players currently playing in Major League Soccer. Additionally, he has led numerous FIFA futsal coaching courses worldwide and played a pivotal role in the expansion of futsal and football through coaching courses and seminars. Conny has also acted as a scout to identify talent and observed teams to report on the opposition. At professional football clubs, including the Portland Timbers, he has led soccer programmes.

Otto Orf:

Otto Orf brings a wealth of experience and dedication to the futsal programme, having been involved since the late 1990s. His background includes significant contributions as both a player and coach in futsal and indoor soccer though as a coach he has been dedicated to futsal. Otto’s achievements include competing in the 1996 CONCACAF Futsal Championship in Guatemala, where he was named Goalkeeper of the Tournament, and representing the U.S. at the 1996 FIFA Futsal World Cup. He continued his futsal career with appearances in the 2000 CONCACAF Futsal Championship and the 2003 Gold Cup in Anaheim, CA, USA.

Otto Orf – Source of the picture: Heart & Sole website

In 2006, Otto founded the Great Lakes Futsal League and, in 2010, the Heart & Sole Futsal Academy in Cleveland, Ohio. He played a pivotal role in the development of the first U.S. Youth Futsal National Teams in 2013 and took teams abroad for international competitions, including trips to Argentina, Colombia, Spain, and Portugal.

Otto has been an advocate for the integration of futsal into the broader soccer development strategy in the U.S. He was instrumental in securing futsal as part of the Cleveland City Schools curriculum and in helping professional soccer clubs recognize the importance of futsal for player development. He has hosted numerous camps, clinics, and programmes for children, demonstrating a long-term commitment to nurturing young talent through futsal.

His contributions also extend to refereeing, having organized clinics, seminars, and courses to train and certify futsal referees. His passion for futsal and his involvement at multiple levels of the sport, from grassroots to national teams, make him a strong candidate to lead the U.S. National Futsal Team. Otto’s extensive experience and dedication position him well to take the programme to the next level and ensure the continued growth and success of futsal in the United States.

Given the context and the current state of the U.S. futsal programme, the new head coach must embody both deep futsal expertise and a visionary approach. Otto Orf appears to fit this profile. He has a comprehensive understanding of the sport, from the grassroots to the national level, and a proven track record of fostering futsal development in the U.S.

Orf’s involvement with futsal in the U.S. since the 1990s, along with his efforts to integrate the sport into the broader soccer development strategy, demonstrates his commitment and passion. His experience as both a player and coach, along with his advocacy for futsal at various levels, make him a compelling choice to lead the U.S. National Futsal Team into its next chapter.

Would they hire Otto Orf? And would he want to lead the team? Is he content in an assistant role, or would he be willing to step back into the international programme if he felt the environment wasn’t changing? Otto’s decision will likely hinge on the assurances he can receive about the support and resources for futsal development within US Soccer. His potential appointment as head coach could signal a significant commitment to the sport’s growth and success in the U.S.

Tony Toral

Tony Toral is the founder, and head coach of New York (NY) Ecuador for the past 30 years. He created a comprehensive Futsal Development Programme for youth, men, and women at NY Ecuador FC. He provided professional development cycles for coaches and players, established an age-appropriate futsal skills matrix, and developed players who went on to participate in national team competitions and the FIFA Futsal World Cup. Additionally, he established international playing opportunities for youth, men, and women’s teams and assisted student-athletes in obtaining college scholarships.

Tony Toral – Source of the image: Tony Toral Facebook page

In 2012, Tony coached the USA Futsal U-18 team in Toledo, Spain, at the First World Futsal Cup, making him one of the first American coaches to face FC Barcelona Futsal. As the Head Men’s Coach of the United States AMF Futsal National Team, Toral participated in the 2007 World Cup Qualifiers in Mexico City, the Catalunya, Spain International Challenge in 2010, and the 2011 Professional Futsal Series in Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, and Ecuador. He also served as the Technical Director for National Teams, leading the Women’s FIFUSA World Cup team to a 5th-place finish in Misiones, Argentina, in 2023.

He has pursued extensive education, and training to enhance his futsal expertise:

• Masters in Education and Public Administration
• Brazilian CBFS Instructor
• Peruvian FPF Instructor
• Postgraduate in Futsal from Faculdade Sogipa in Brazil under the leadership of Marquinhos Xavier
• Postgraduate in Performance Analysis in Brazil under Rodrigo Carlet (Analyst for the Brazilian National Team)
• CBFS B License in Performance Analysis in Futsal

He has completed his A License for Futsal and B License for Performance Analysis and is currently midway through the Futsal postgraduate programme and has recently started the performance analysis postgraduate programme.

International possibilities

A game-changing decision for the U.S. Soccer futsal programme would be to make the head coach position a full-time role. This move would attract top talent from around the world. Should U.S. Soccer shift its stance on futsal and commit to investing in and growing the sport, many high-calibre coaches globally would eagerly seize the opportunity to impact such an important market.

As U.S. Soccer considers its next steps, choosing a coach with a dedicated futsal background—like Dusan Jakica, Otto Orf, Constantine Konstin, or Tony Toral— and they could look to recruit from abroad, whatever decision they make could be crucial for the national team’s future success and the overall growth of futsal in the United States.

Moving Forward: The Path for U.S. Futsal

To secure a brighter future for U.S. futsal, several key steps must be taken:

1. Dedicated Futsal Leadership: Appointing a head coach with a specialized background in futsal is crucial. This will ensure that the strategies, training, and development are tailored to futsal’s unique demands.
2. Investment in Futsal Development: U.S. Soccer should increase its investment in futsal, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to support the sport’s development. This includes creating robust pathways for players and enhancing coaching education as they currently offer no coaching licenses.
3. Resource Allocation: Provide resources to support the sport’s promotion and increase its awareness nationwide, while also encouraging the private sector to invest in and support its development.

The departure of Hewerton Moreira marks a crucial juncture for U.S. futsal. It underscores the need for a strategic re-evaluation of the sport’s direction and highlights the importance of appointing a coach with a dedicated focus on futsal. To build a more effective and competitive programme, U.S. Soccer must separate futsal from indoor soccer influences, invest in specialized leadership, and enhance development pathways. The future success of American futsal depends on these critical changes, aiming to elevate the sport on the global stage.

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