January 2023 Men's Team of the Month

by NFPL

The 2022/23 NFPL season kicked off in December, and we've already got some players that stood above the rest in the early season games.

January 2023 Kings of the Court

Goalkeeper: Alphonso Zavala

Alphonso Zavala has been one of the reasons why Grand Rapids OLé sit top of the Midwest Conference. His ability to comfortably pass and dribble out of the back with his feet give OLé a flexibility in attack and security in defense that many teams in the NFPL lack. A Player of the Week performance in Matchweek 4 against Ginga, as well as anchoring the league's 2nd best defense, puts Alphonso in our January 2023 Team of the Month.

Fixo: Marcelo Matos

Marcelo Matos has had a massive month for Columbus Futsal. They currently sit undefeated in second place in the Midwest Conference, with much of it due to Matos' ability to shore up their defense and launch and finish attacks on his own. A true box-to-box player, he's been recognized in multiple man of the match awards and was voted NFPL Player of the Week for his Matchweek 5 performance in a road victory over Futsal Factory Academy. Matos leads his teams in goals and assists, averaging 2.5 points per game. 

Ala: Erik Hegerty

Captain, competitor, goalscorer - Erik Hegerty has only improved on last season's performance which earned him All-NFPL honors. He leads Ginga Futsal in total points with 4 goals and 1 assist, averaging 1.7 points per game, and has caught the opposition's eyes with man of the match votes in every game this month. His link-up play and ability to bring his teammates into the game has yielded assists and beautiful team goals in their matches this month. 

ALA: Samuel Esquivel

Samuel "Sammy" Esquivel scored two goals in each of the Grand Rapids OLé matches this season, propelling him to second on his team in points and tied for first in goals scored. A constant threat going forward, Esquivel combines well with teammates and can finish powerfully with both feet, scoring spectacular Goal of the Month contenders in his January matches.

Pivo: Christian Lima

Christian Lima enjoyed an historic night for Brusa FC in their Matchweek 6 draw on the road against Colorado Futsal Academy. He was the first goalscorer in the NFPL Southwest division, and after CFA led a valiant comeback to take the lead, he tied the game with less than 10 seconds to go to rescue a point for the visitors. 

6th: Edrick Padilla

The Cadence SFC hitman has a ruthless streak in front of goal, racking up 5 goals and 1 assist in his team's 12-2 victory over Futsal Indy in Matchweek 6. Edrick Padilla leads his team in goals and points this season, averaging 3.0 points per game. He'll be a critical component in a CSFC team that needs to pick up points in the hunt for playoffs in the second half of the season.

MANAGER: Fabian Rodriguez

Fabian Rodriguez has led the defending champions Grand Rapids OLé back to the top of the table near the midway point of the season. With two wins on the road this season and a 9-1 destruction over in-state rivals Futsal Factory Academy in Matchweek 6, Fabian has done a great job and looks set to lead his team to another playoff and potential NFPL Championship berth this season. 

Congratulations!

Congratulations to our January 2023 Team of the Month! Best of luck to these Kings of the Court and the rest of the players and managers in the upcoming games this season. 

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