Leadership Committee
Alex Para
CEO • US Futsal Board of Directors
Paul Caligiuri • joe elsmore • jon szczuka
FOUNDERS
PAUL CALIGIURI
Paul David Caligiuri is a former professional soccer player competing for numerous teams in the United States and Germany, and for the U.S. national team. During his 14 years as a defender and defensive midfielder with the national team, he earned 110 caps and scored five goals including his game-winning goal widely dubbed the "Shot heard round the world," which he scored in a 1–0 World Cup qualifier victory over Trinidad and Tobago on November 19, 1989. The victory qualified the United States for the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy, its first World Cup berth since 1950.
There, Caligiuri notched the first World Cup goal for the U.S. national team in 40 years. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame.
Paul has also contributed through his coaching and mentorship. He has coached college, youth, men and women. Paul was a candidate for the US Soccer Presidency and is also an ambassador for the UPSL.
JON SZCZUKA
Jon Szczuka has been part of the Southern California landscape, and making a national impact, for over 30 years.
He has played an integral role in the development of Irvine Strikers and Pateadores having both organizations reach the top of their industry under his leadership. He also coached Woodbridge HS (Irvine) to multiple State, CIF, and League titles.
Jon has also been a board member of the Southern California Club Coaches Association, Build the Great Park Now, Irvine Sports Committee, and Southern California Developmental Soccer League (SCDSL, now SOCAL) where he was a founding member and technical committee member.
JOE ELSMORE
Future home of Elsmore bio
US Futsal Southwest
U.S. Futsal and Alex Para have partnered with Southwest Futsal Association to provide futsal competitions throughout the Southwest United States. SFA Co-founders Paul Caligiuri and Jon Szczuka will be working with league representatives from Southern California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah. all SFA competitions will be aligned within the U.S. Futsal Pyramid and all players will have access to the U.S Futsal Developmental Pathway.
After playing in enclosed areas and learning to think and react quickly, players find when they play to the full game they react well under pressure. Playing in enclosed areas develops creativity; players are also constantly placed in demanding decision making situations in enclosed areas which is a major reason why Futsal is one of the finest teachers of the quick pass and move.
NEXT STEPS: GET IN TOUCH
OR
