Indoor Soccer: Kick Start Your Winter

Portlanders love the outdoors. From the first clear morning of spring to the last dry, crisp evening of fall, the city’s parks, tracks, hills, docks and fields are packed with people staying active and having fun. But once the winter rain digs in, quality outdoor time fades to a memory, leaving many Portlanders to ask, “What now?”

For some, beer drinking becomes the winter sport of choice. Others refuse to let the drizzle get in the way of a morning run. But many Oregonians are turning to indoor sports leagues to stay active, social and—perhaps most importantly—dry. Indoor soccer is a popular option that’s gaining momentum throughout the Portland area. For novice players and fierce competitors alike, it’s a great way to stay one step ahead of the winter weather.

Indoor Soccer Basics

Indoor soccer is very popular in North America and is played worldwide. Games take place on an indoor field about the size of a hockey rink lined with artificial turf. In most leagues, each team has six players on the field, including the goalie. The goals and penalty areas are smaller than on standard soccer fields. Games are usually played in two 20–25 minute halves with unlimited substitutions and no offside rules. Players are allowed to use the walls, but not the ceiling, surrounding the field.

What Is Futsal?

Futsal is a variation of indoor soccer hailing from Portugal. The sports are similar in rules and regulations, though there are some major differences. The futsal field is smaller than in indoor soccer and has a hard surface. The game is played with a smaller, less bouncy ball. Traditionally, each team has five players, including the goalie, though three-on-three leagues, played on even smaller courts, are also common. 

Portland Play

There are several indoor soccer and futsal leagues and facilities in the greater Portland area. Most offer weekly or twice-weekly open play sessions for a small fee, which is a great way for prospective players to check out the facilities, meet fellow athletes and see the game in action.

For those interested in joining a league, sign up is available to both teams and individuals. Most facilities offer men’s, women’s and coed leagues, and these are often further divided into divisions based on players’ talent and experience. Fees range from $500–800 per team for an eight-game season, but individual cost can vary greatly depending on a team’s size. The next season is slated to start around Nov. 1 in most leagues, so plan on registering for play in the first two weeks of October.

Facilities and Leagues

With several facilities and leagues to choose from, deciding where to begin your indoor soccer or futsal adventure can be challenging. It’s important to consider many factors including location, price, schedule, field size, team requirements and skill divisions. Get started selecting your league with this comprehensive list of Portland-area facilities.

Beaverton Soccer – http://beavertonsoccer.com
Indoor Goals – http://indoorgoals.com/
Mittleman Jewish Community Center – http://www.portlandjewishacademy.org/page.cfm?p=1233
Oregon Soccer Center – http://oscindoor.com/
Portland Futsal – http://portlandfutsal.com/
Portland Indoor Soccer – http://pdxindoorsoccer.com/
Rose City Futsal – http://rosecityfutsal.com/
Soccerplex – http://soccerplex.com/
Tualatin Indoor Soccer – http://tualatinindoor.com/

Winter can be a busy time, and not everyone can play through the upcoming first months of the season. Luckily, most leagues begin new seasons continually throughout the year. Come January, check back on your favorite leagues’ sites to find out when play is scheduled to start up for the second half of winter.

As the summer comes to a close, don’t give up on staying active and having fun through the cold months to come. Get your head—and feet—into the game, and join one of Portland’s many action-packed indoor soccer leagues!