A record seven teams will represent the Massachusetts Futsal Association at this weekend's 2012 United States Youth Futsal National Championships in Overland Park, Kansas. Local teams have won championships in 2009 and 2011 and competed in the finals in 2008 and 2010, so hopes are high for multiple titles by local teams in 2012!

Follow all the National Championship action at www.twitter.com/#FutsalMA

FC Black Knights Head Coach John Montanaro led his club to the 2011 U14 boys National Championship. He returns in 2012 with a U11 team eager to keep the club's name on a trophy. After posting an undefeated season playing at U12 in the league (losing the finals only in penalties), Montanaro knows his team is ready.

“I expect that they will do quite well in Kansas City and look forward to them having such great competition. In a tournament such as this, it is always a great honor to represent both your club and your region and I'm confident that they are up to this challenge."

The team is led by two of the best young players in the sport. Belmont's Michael Montanaro brings a coaches mentality and steady presence, while Newton goalkeeper Declan Sung – well known for his mohawk but better known for his outstanding goalkeeping – anchors the side.

The Brookline Flyers enter the U12 girls bracket as one of the most talented and refreshing teams in recent local memory. Chan MacVeagh's squad plays with a joy and passion that usually results in success, like the four victories it earned at the recent Regional Championships, including a narrow loss in the finals.

“We hope to show the team how exciting futsal can be. We hope to come back for many years with a target each year of doing better than the year before. I hope the team learns to identify with all the other Massachusetts teams and builds relationships [with them].”

Nine of the team's 12 members are part of the tournament contingent, with goalkeeper Sophie Goldstein providing the glue and Hannah Smith leading the side in goals.

“The team has played since third grade, [but] we have never traveled out of state before,” noted MacVeagh. “The team is looking forward to the hotel pool and steak dinners!”

Dream Team FC is comprised entirely of seventh-grade girls from Arlington, all part of Arlington Socer Club. Having played futsal, soccer and other sports together for several years they have a unique relationship as a trult united team. This unity led the team to its first-ever Regional Championship and an undefeated regional tournament and league season.

Said head coach Ken Kohlberg, “In every game, the girls take turns playing different positions and enjoy equal playing time. They are very excited about attending the Championships and wish to thank their parents and families for making it possible to have this wonderful experience.”

Jeff Lamy's PASA FC U15 girls are the most decorated team in recent Massachusetts Futsal Association history. Since entering the league in 2009, the team has played in nine finals and been crowned champion four times. More remarkably it is the three-time defending Northeast Regional Champion, having won titles at U13, U14 and U15.

Although it did not find the same success at last year's National Championships, the team gained invaluable experience.

“It showed the squad what it takes to be considered a top team in the country, ” explained Lamy. “I expect the girls will continue to improve and learn from each match they play in.”

PASA's captain, Kayla Loycano of Chelmsford, and goalkeeper Lexie Taylor of Arlington, give the club a tremendous amount of confidence. A well-rounded side, there is no standout scorer, with “everyone capable of scoring at any time.”

“Having beaten the 2011 National Champions [last month] at the Regional Championships,” Lamy added, “we are excited and confident that we can come home with our first National Championship trophy.”

The Massachusetts U16 girls State Futsal Team returns for its second year at the Championships, led by a gritty goalkeeper and an experienced captain. Although small in numbers, the team is large in talent, with Chelsea Gundlach between the posts and Britney Cadiz wearing the armband. Both players are from Norwood.

Cadiz, Nani Argyros of West Roxbury and Naiara Appaix-Castro of Cambridge are looked toward to lead the attack.

“Each of these players,” noted head coach Jeff Lamy, “has a different skillset that they bring to the table, which makes our team dangerous.”

Along with Maddie Marx of Winchester, the team returns five players from last year's entry and is fixed on earning the state team program a title this time around.

“With one National tournament under our belt and the core of the squad back again, we are excited and confident that we can do well this year. We have implemented a new style of play that allows us to be a little more fluid on the court this year.”

Five of the 10 players on the Massachusetts U16 boys State Futsal Team have competed at the Championships before, with one earning a U14 title in 2011 and two placing second in the U12 final (as U11 players) in 2008.

Goalkeeper Robbie Montanaro of Belmont is as known for his celebrations as he is for his goalkeeping talent. He regularly “stands on his head” and keeps his team in every game, including at last year's U14 championships during which he scored one and saved two penalties against Sporting BVSC in the finals.

With the experienced Cole Rainey-Slavick of Jamaica Plain and Somerville duo Elliot Rippe and Ethan Sweeting fueling the attack, Coach Soorena Farboodmanesh's men have a real shot at success in this tournament.

"This is an experiences team and I am thrilled to be its coach for the National Tournament in Kansas City. We are going in focused and look forward to a great experience," said Head Coach Soorena Farboodmanesh, who is one-for-one in coaching appearances at the finals.

Pink Ladies Futsal Club has competed at the National Championships since 2007, and this is the club's deepest, most talented team. With a recent league title under its belt, Top Flex is experiencing its most successful season in three years, much to do with exceptional leadership and a very deep roster.

Captains Yasmine Raddassi of Concord and Rachel Frank of Lexington have played in a combined 16 National Championship matches.

Raddassi is second on the club's all-time scoring list with 69 goals and 45 assists, including 5 and 3 at the 2011 championships. The only player she trails is teammate Katie Abbott, whose assassin-like 98 goals over six years inlcude 21 this season. Both players have scored game-winning goals in the last minute or in overtime of playoff games this year.

“Katie and Yas fill the stat sheets and headlines but in an entirely team-first way,” noted Head Coach Jason Miller. “This is the most cohesive, complete team we have ever had. Every player contributes in her own way and is responsible for the team's success.”

The guts and grime of the fuchsia females is without question its brick-wall goalkeeper, Laura Whiteley. The Lexington native already has seven assists this year, a club record for goalkeepers.

“Laura is without question the toughest player the club has ever seen,” attested the coach. “Every cliché about mental and physical toughness describes Laura. But what's just as influential is that she's a terrific goalkeeper and leader. Her teammates play with creativity and take risks because they know she will rescue them.”

The deep team intends to make a deep run in this year's tournament.

Follow all the National Championship action at www.twitter.com/#FutsalMA