Newtown star Acevedo and friends earn trip out west

Newtown’s senior striker Alan Acevedo missed out on the playoffs last fall. But he didn’t have to wait for college to experience the intensity of single-elimination tournament action. Actually, he stayed local, as he took part in the Nike Joga3 Futsol tournament at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park recently.
Although it didn’t make up for his disappointment last November, Acevedo, along with his good friends Diego Gorosito and Pablo Garcia, won the 19-and-under East Coast Regional Finals with Team Ramsack as they sliced through seven opponents, allowing only two goals and scoring 14. They advanced to the U.S. Finals in Los Angeles on July 9th, where the trio will meet experienced teams from the midwest and west. “It’s crazy,” he said, “because I never expected to win. It’s really exciting and it’s a great chance for us.” If Acevedo does win, they will get to train with members of the U.S. National team in the near future.
Joga3 Futsol is a three minute, 3-on-3 fast-paced game of soccer, with a small, heavier ball used on a hard surface. The game is played on a pitch the size of half a basketball court. The goals are not protected by a goalkeeper, and are five feet wide by 19 inches high, therefore placing a greater emphasis on quickness, ball control and creativity.
Joga3 Futsol is nothing new to Acevedo. Now an Elmhurst resident after growing up in Colombia (he came to Queens when he was 10), Acevedo played a similar 5-on-5 Futsol game. “I don’t think it’s different [than soccer],” said Acevedo, who has drawn interest from St. Francis College in Brooklyn, but has yet to pick a school. “It’s just playing with a smaller ball and a smaller field. The ball doesn’t bounce as much and it’s harder.”
The trip out west will be Acevedo’s first to California. He said he will make sure to go to the beach one day, and enjoy the hot weather. Winning, of course, is number one on his list. “I think we’re going to do good,” he said, “and we’re going to be confident.”