'Street Soccer USA' finds new Bloomingdale location

The futsal academy Street Soccer USA has found a new location in Bloomingdale that is set to open Jan. 25.

Street Soccer USA is a nonprofit organization aimed at creating a national network of grass-roots soccer programs to develop soccer talent, as well as provide better direction and purpose in the lives of young athletes.

Formerly located in Stratford Square Mall with basketball and other sports alongside soccer, the organization decided to move to Bloomingdale Court on 360 W. Army Trail Road at the site of the former Pier One furniture store to focus specifically on futsal.

Players ages typically range from 5 to 18, with costs starting at $20 for beginners and $35 for more advanced players.

Futsal is an indoor variant of soccer aimed at faster-paced games with fewer players that emphasize control, touch, and technique, fundamental skills needed for young soccer players.

Head coach Frank DeAngelo is happy to see a new futsal court, as it may keep athletes playing the sport longer due to less wear and tear on the body.

"If young players start futsal, they would stay in our sport more," DeAngelo said. "You definitely see the benefits of starting with futsal over playing on the pitch at a young age."

DeAngelo also is the president of the Addison youth soccer academy and has used those connections to work alongside scouts for Chicago Fire FC of Major League Soccer, giving the players a chance to be signed by professional leagues.

"We can see 7 or 10 players at our academy playing at a high level right now being scouted," DeAngelo said. "We know what a successful player who loves the game will look like with proper training. Seeing that progress is awesome."

Soccer's popularity in the United States is growing, with the cost of entry getting cheaper and younger athletes pivoting to it due to less stress on the body.