Soccer’s little brother

Lake Highlands grads fuel futsal boom

Story by Christina Hughes babb | Photo by Can Türkyilmaz

When you compare futsal to soccer, the venues are smaller, the ball is tinier, the passes shorter, but that makes the scores higher and the punch more powerful. Despite its diminutive manifestations, futsal might be the next big thing in recreational sports.

If twin brothers Esteban and Manuel Mariel had their druthers, all the kids would be playing it. Via their year-old business, Dallas City Futsal, they are teaching some 200 young people the fundamentals of the sport, and holding weekend pickup games to foster enthusiasm for the game.

So, futsal is basically indoor soccer, right?

“Absolutely not. It’s completely different,” Esteban says. “In indoor soccer, the ball bounces off the walls, all over the place. Futsal players have a lot of control and room to make things happen. It is fast moving, high scoring.”

Indeed, after the first half of a 40-minute futsal match at Dallas Lutheran, in which Esteban and Manuel (whom, from a perch in the bleachers, I honestly can’t tell apart) are on opposing teams, the score is 9-6.

Loud hip-hop music blasts through gym speakers as they play — appropriate since the game looks something like a smooth 10man choreographed dance. No 0-0 scores here.

The twins, now 24, grew up playing soccer in the Dallas East Soccer Association and later the Dallas Inter club, which eventually became F.C. Dallas Youth.

They got the first taste of futsal during a six-month stint in Brazil, homeland of their mother, Lake Highlands artist Solange Mariel.

Soon after coming home to Dallas, the twins set their sights on returning to Brazil to play professional outdoor soccer. They were invited to do so, at age 17, so they worked overtime to graduate a year early from Lake Highlands High School in 2004.

They played for Brazil’s Cruzerio Esporte Clube for about a year before deciding to return to the states for college.

“Our dad thought education was very important — he encouraged it,” Esteban says.

Did they ever consider doing something separate from one another?

“No way,” Manuel answers. “We are a package deal.” After college, which started at University of Maryland Baltimore County and concluded at Southern Methodist University, came the burnout stage.

“We’d been playing soccer for so many years, we were just kind of tired of it,” Manuel says.

After post-college gigs that included selling eyewear in Las Vegas and starting a nutritional supplement company, they realized the passion, though dormant for a moment, burned for soccer, or some variation thereof.

The twins’ dad, Federico Mariel, had been a futsal fan for years. Explains Mariel, “Unlike its big brother, traditional soccer, futsal is a game of small controlled movements where players are given a lot of contact with the ball and therefore a lot of space to be creative.”

That’s what the twins have come to love about teaching the game, he says.

“He was ahead of his time,” says Esteban. “We were so against it at first,” Manuel adds.

Since high school, they had earned cash on the side teaching soccer lessons. In November 2010, they organized Dallas City Futsal, through which they offer camps, semi-private and private lessons, and tournaments.

“We had the first session at Ridgewood rec center almost exactly a year ago,” Esteban says.

Parent Kristina Peters says her daughter loves soccer, but enjoys it even more since training with City Futsal. “Their philosophy on soccer allows her to play with a much more focused skill set,” Peters says. “What makes this program exceptional, aside from the great coaching, is their personal commitment to the sport and to each child. My daughter trains a lot, and though necessary at the select level, it can be a lot of work. To see her in an atmosphere of no stress, having fun cannot be valued enough.”

Today City Futsal is expanding, holding events at a larger state-of-the-art center and hiring extra coaches.

The Mariel twins recently were selected to play for the U.S. National Futsal team.

“Of course it is a dream come true to play for the national team,” said Esteban. “What I am really looking forward to, though, is how much of this experience I can bring back to my students to hopefully inspire them to become better players.”

—Christina Hughes Babb

Learn more about Dallas City Futsal at dallascityfutsal.com or find Dallas Futsal on Facebook.

School Of Contemporary Ballet Dallas

1902 abrams Pkwy., Dallas / 214.821.2066 / www.schoolofcbd.com Summer

Dance 2011. Two sessions available: June 6-August 13. Toddlers/Youths/ Teens classes in Ballet, Tap, Jazz & HipHop, Contemporary and Fairies & Frogs, Princesses & Princes, Summer Intensive workshops~ Morning, Afternoon & Evening classes available. Register Now! ADULTS, Get in Shape with Dance Workout, Just Barre and Basics Beginner Classes! All levels of Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Hip-hop Contemporary & Tap! Professional instructors in a positive environment! Schedule available on-line. REGISTER NOW – space is limited!

the hiGhLaNDer SchooL

9120 Plano rd. Dallas / 214.348.3220 / www.highlanderschool.com Founded in 1966, Highlander School offers an enriched curriculum in a positive, Christian-based environment. Small class sizes help teachers understand the individual learning styles of each student. Give us a call for more information.

JaNie chriSty SchooL oF DaNce

9090 Skillman, Ste. 299a Dallas 75243 / 214.343.7472 www.janiechristydance.com

This is Janie Christy’s 19th year teaching children to dance in Lake Highlands! Offerings include creative movement, preschool ballet & tap combos, kindergarten thru adults in ballet, tap, jazz-hip/hop and modern. Winter Session for Moms/Tots will be Fridays in Jan and Feb. introducing toddlers 14 mos. thru 2 yrs. to fun songs, word plays and dance activities. 11:15 a.m.-12:00. www.janiechristydance.com

LakehiLL PreParatory SchooL

Leading to Success. 2720 hillside Dr., Dallas 75214 / 214.826.2931, www.lakehillprep.org Kindergarten through Grade 12 - Lakehill Preparatory School takes the word preparatory in its name very seriously. Throughout a student’s academic career, Lakehill builds an educational program that achieves its goal of enabling graduates to attend the finest, most rigorous universities of choice. Lakehill combines a robust, collegepreparatory curriculum with opportunities for personal growth, individual enrichment, and community involvement. From kindergarten through high school, every Lakehill student is encouraged to strive, challenged to succeed, and inspired to excel.

ScoFieLD chriStiaN SchooL

50 years educating 3k through Grade 6 214-349-6843 / ww.scofieldchristian.org

PRESCHOOL PREVIEW DAY! February 16th at 10:00 am Bring your 3k – 4k child and experience a day in the life of our preschool students. Spend time in the library, create a masterpiece in the art room, play around in PE and visit our preschool classrooms. Join us and discover what makes SCS the school for your family. You will find a friendly spirit that can be seen in every classroom and beyond. Scofield Christian School is accredited through the Association of Christian Schools International (A.C.S.I.).

SPaNiSh hoUSe

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St. JohN’S ePiScoPaL SchooL

848 harter rd., Dallas 75218 / 214.328.9131 / www.stjohnsschool.org

Founded in 1953, St. John’s is an independent, co-educational day school for Pre-K through Grade 8. With a tradition for academic excellence, St. John’s programs include a challenging curriculum in a Christian environment along with instruction in the visual and performing arts, Spanish, German, French, and opportunities for athletics and community service. St. John’s goal for its students is to develop a love for learning, service to others, and leadership grounded in love, humility, and wisdom. Accredited by ISAS, SAES, and the Texas Education Agency.

white rock North SchooL

9727 white rock trail Dallas / 214.348.7410. 2 Years through 5th Grade. 45 years of successful students! Our accelerated curriculum provides opportunity for intellectual and physical development in a loving and nurturing environment. Character-building and civic responsibility are stressed. Facilities include indoor swimming pool, skating rink, updated playground, and state-of-the-art technology lab. Kids Club on the Corner provides meaningful after-school experiences. Summer Camp offers field trips, swimming, and a balance of indoor and outdoor activities designed around fun-filled themes. Accredited by SACS. Call for a tour of the campus. www.WhiteRockNorthSchool.com.

ZioN LUtheraN SchooL

6121 e. Lovers Ln. Dallas / 214.363.1630 / www.ziondallas. org Toddler care thru 8th Grade. Serving Dallas for over 58 years offering a quality education in a Christ-centered learning environment. Degreed educators minister to the academic, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of students and their families. Before and after school programs, Extended Care, Parents Day Out, athletics, fine arts, integrated technology, Spanish, outdoor education, Accelerated Reader, advanced math placement, and student government. Accredited by National Lutheran School & Texas District Accreditation Commissions and TANS. Contact Principal Jeff Thorman. more than a magazine

Baptist

ForeST Me Adow / 9150 Church Rd. / Welcoming the mosaic of cultures living in our neighborhoods / www.fmbcdallas.org

Worship 10:50 / Bible Study 9:30 / Tim Ahlen, Pastor / 214.341.9555

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Pastor Jeff Donnell / Worship 10:30 am & 10:31 am www.lbcdallas.com wILShIre BAPTIST / 4316 Abrams / 214.452.3100

Pastor George A. Mason Ph.D. / Worship 8:30 & 11:00 am

Bible Study 9:40 am / www.wilshirebc.org

BIBL e C hUrC he S

NorTh hIGhLANdS BIBLe ChUrCh / www.nhbc.net

Sunday: Lifequest (all ages) 9:00 am / Worship 10:30 am

Wed: Student Ministry 7:00 pm / 9626 Church Road / 214.348.9697

dISCIPL eS oF Chr IST

eAST dALLAS ChrISTIAN ChUrCh / 629 N. Peak Street / 214.824.8185

Sunday School 9:30 am / THE TABLE Worship Gathering 9:30 am

Worship 8:30 & 10:50 am / Rev. Deborah Morgan / www.edcc.org

ePISC oPAL

The ePISCoPAL ChUrCh oF The ASCeNSIoN / 8787 Greenville Ave.

Sunday School 9:00 am / Worship 8:00 & 10:15 am 214.340.4196 / more at www.ascensiondallas.org

L UTherAN

CeNTrAL LUTherAN ChUrCh, eLCA / 1000 Easton Road

Sunday School for all ages 9:00 am / Worship Service 10:30 am

Pastor Rich Pounds / CentralLutheran.org / 214.327.2222

FIrST UNITed LUTherAN ChUrCh / 6202 E Mockingbird Ln.

Sunday Worship Service 10:30 am / Call for class schedule. 214.821.5929 / www.dallaslutheran.org

ZIoN LUTherAN ChUrCh & SChooL / 6121 E Lovers Ln.

Sunday: Sunday School 9:15 am, Worship 8:00 am, 10:30 am, & 6:00 pm / 214.363.1639 / www.ziondallas.org

MeT hodIST

L AKe hIGhLANdS UMC / 9015 Plano Rd. / 214.348.6600 / lhumc.com

9:30 – Sunday School / 10:30 – Fellowship Time

10:50 – Traditional & Contemporary Worship

NoN- de NoMINATIoNAL

L AKe hIGhLANdS ChUrCh / 9919 McCree / 214.348.0460

Sun: Assemblies 8:45 & 11:30, Classes 10:10, Coffee 11:10

Home groups meet on weeknights. / lakehighlandschurch.org

ShoreLINe dALLAS ChUrCh / 5321 E. Mockingbird Lane

ShorelineDallas.com / 469.227.0471 / Pastor Earl McClellan

Everyone’s Welcome at 9:15am / Children’s & Youth Ministry

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L AKe hIGhLANdS PreSByTerIAN ChUrCh / 214.348.2133

8525 Audelia Road at NW Hwy. / www.lhpres.org

Christian Ed. 9:55 am, 9:00 am Contemporary, 11:00 am Traditional

NorThPArK PreSByTerIAN ChUrCh / 214.363.5457

9555 N. Central Expwy. / www.northparkpres.org

Pastor: Rev. Brent Barry / 8:30 & 11:00 am Sunday Services

UNIT y

UNIT y oF dALLAS / A Positive Path For Spiritual Living

6525 Forest Lane, Dallas, TX 75230 / 972-233-7106 / UnityDallas.org

Sunday services: 9:00 am & 11:00 am