Wisconsin Soccer Central

A pair of state teams advanced to the finals in their respective age groups at the U.S. Youth Futsal Midwest Regional Championships last weekend in Creve Coeur and St. Charles, Mo.

The Madison Futsal United team cruised to the Boys Under-13 championship game before falling to Texas' CF Galaxy White 7-2 on Sunday.

The team, coached by Madison Futsal League director Ilir Lushaj, rolled past Missouri's STL United 9-4, Kentucky's SportsTutor 02 7-3 and Missouri's The Kings 6-2 to win Pool B of the eight-team competition, then routed Minnesota's JOTP Corinthians 8-1 in the semifinals.

In the Girls Under-15 division, the Elm Grove Blues finished 2-1-0 in pool play. They powered past Madison Futsal United 5-1 and Missouri's S. Elam United Elite 10-1 sandwiched around a 7-4 loss to SportsTutor 99. Coach Tim Stritesky's side got another shot at SportsTutor 99 in the final, but dropped a 7-6 decision.

Madison Futsal United finished 0-2-1 in the Girls Under-15 competition, following up its loss to Elm Grove with a 2-2 tie against S. Elam United Elite and a 7-2 loss to SportsTutor 99.

The champions from each of the nine regionals nationwide earn automatic berths in the national championships, which are Feb. 13 to 16 in New Century, Kan. Other teams that participated in regionals can apply for at-large berths at nationals.