FOXBORO, Mass. (10-5-06) - The New England Revolution and New England Futsal collaborated once again, for the 2nd year in a row, on promoting both the sport of soccer and Futsal.

On Saturday, September 23, New England Futsal sponsored demonstration Futsal games right at the Soccer Celebration area of Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, before the clash between the Revolution and Kansas City Wizards.

High school and club soccer teams from around the area were invited to play Futsal on an improvised court. Hundreds of children had the opportunity to either show their individual skills or taste Futsal for the very first time. It was a tremendous success.

"This is the second year in a row that we've organized such an event together with the Revolution management, and now that Futsal is part of the Pan American Games this coming July in Rio de Janeiro, we feel that the sport will continue to grow and we are positive that the Futsal will be part of the Olympics very soon," said New England Futsal CEO John Kinnane.

In addition to the Futsal games at the soccer celebration, the best was yet to come. It was also High School Night, where high school players from around New England were invited to a half time show where they would play a "pass and shoot" game against U.S. Futsal Federation champion goalie Andre Gutierrez of Revere, Mass. If any player scored a goal, he or she would win a personalized official Revolution game jersey. At halftime of the Revolution match, the Futsal goals were brought to the center of the pitch for the Futsal showdown.

Each high school player would pass the ball to USFF National Director of Coaching Bill Sampaio, who in turn would lay the ball out for a one-time shot. With an attendance of over 16,000 strong at the Gillette Stadium, some of the high school players felt the pressure. Goalie Andre Gutierrez made some very impressive saves and was beaten once by Greater New Bedford Vocational High School standout Collin Correa. It was a hard low shot to the far post. Andre dove for it but it was too late.

Sampaio said after the shoot out that he trained Andre for the past four years and that he is recommending Andre to try out for the U.S. Futsal team that will travel to Brazil this coming July for the Pan American Games.

New England Futsal is the provider of several Futsal leagues, training academies, clubs and fitness programs that are sanctioned by the USFF. Support and participation in the Futsal programs have grown each year.