Futsal Factory Academy - 2022/23 Season Preview

by NFPL


22/23 PREVIEW

Michigan Futsal Factory Academy returns to the National Futsal Premier League for the 2022/23 season with teams in every competitive futsal division: the Men (East Conference), Women, and Rising Stars. 

MEN:

Despite a third-place regular season finish, the men of Michigan Futsal Factory crashed out in the NFPL Quarterfinals in the 21/22 season (the first round of playoffs), courtesy of a 4-2 loss at home to Futsal Indy. 

Asked about his expectations for the club this season, head coach Drew Ducker had this to say:

"We expect to come back stronger than last year, introducing some new players and bringing back some former ones. Our goal is to finish in the top two in our conference during the regular season and make a run to win it all in the playoffs."

 WOMEN:

Fresh off a trophy-winning summer in the NFPL Summer Cup, the Women of Futsal Factory Academy will be looking to maintain their momentum in the inaugural NFPL Women's Division. Confidence around the club from head coaches Drew Ducker and Maroun Khoury is high, with a number of players returning from the cup-winning side.

 RISING STARS:

The Futsal Factory Academy youth teams have always competed at a high level regionally and nationally, with their 08 Boys team winning a national championship in 2022. The Rising Stars division will be a competitive opportunity for the players to hit the court at a high level. Futsal Factory Academy has a reputation in the NFPL for giving youth players an opportunity to play in the highest division, so don't be surprised to see standouts in the Rising Stars division also feature for the men's side.

TEAM NEWS

MEN: 

Futsal Factory Academy and Team USA goleiro Robert Damron won the 21/22 NFPL Golden Glove and returns to bolster the FFA defense. They also welcome back their young star Ben Pritchard, who made a significant contribution last season and will be looking to take more of a lead role in the 22/23 season.

Futsal Factory Academy will round out the rest of the roster with familiar names like Nik Djokic, Matt Sherman, Khal Suleiman, and Mike Caldwell. 

VERDICT

MEN

Despite returning All-NFPL First Team goleiro Rbert Damron and All-NFPL Second Team ala Ben Pritchard, the Men's side will likely find themselves in a close battle throughout the season to make their way into the playoffs. With Columbus Futsal, Grand Rapids OLé, and Ginga Futsal all returning key players on offense and defense, the Eastern Division will be incredibly tight. 

Michigan Futsal Factory can't afford to drop points at home and will be looking at tough away trips to Futsal Indy outside the conference as must-win fixtures. 

WOMEN

The Women's side were in dominant form over the summer, sweeping aside all comers in the NFPL Summer Cup. Expectations around the club are high and the women of Futsal Factory Academy start the season as firm favorites to win the division.

Rising Stars

The FFA Rising Stars will likely be a competitive side with a good chance of winning the league, although we're not entirely sure what to expect from any of the teams in this division, other than the promise of high level youth futsal and entertaining games from youth players.

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