Manchester Futsal Club Players Make Their Mark at Global TST Tournament in USA.

As Manchester Futsal Club approaches its 20-year anniversary, its commitment to developing talent and creating meaningful opportunities for players continues to stand out - and now, it’s making an impact far beyond the futsal court.

This summer, three of MFC’s first-team players - Jake Barnes, Jordan Edge, and Tomas Uniatowicz  - were invited to represent Plymouth Argyle at The Soccer Tournament (TST), an elite 7v7 global competition held in the United States. Featuring a $1 million winner-take-all prize, top-level talent, and a high-intensity small-sided format, the tournament gave the players a chance to showcase their skills on one of the biggest alternative football stages in the world.

The invitation came after Plymouth Argyle reached out to Manchester Futsal Club, recognising the strength of the club’s player development model and the quality of individuals coming through its ranks.

What followed was more than just a trip - it was a statement of Manchester Futsal Club’s vision, showing that futsal can be a launchpad for players to access unique experiences across football’s growing small-sided formats.

“It was an unbelievable experience to represent a club like Plymouth and be around players I’ve supported and watched on TV since I was a kid,” said Jake Barnes. “The whole week was surreal.”

A Format Built for Futsal Minds

TST is unlike traditional football. With no offsides, no slide tackles, indirect free kicks instead of throw-ins, and the unique “target score time” (a golden goal format that ends every game), it rewards intelligence, technical quality, and composure — all things that MFC players are built on.

“Adapting to grass was tough,” admitted Jordan Edge, “but the game concept felt natural because of our futsal training. The rotations, the positioning, defending 4v3 or 5v4 — that’s what we do week in, week out.”

Tomas Uniatowicz echoed that: “During target score time, when player numbers drop and the game becomes more open, it actually starts to feel like futsal on a bigger pitch. That’s when we felt in control - we knew how to rotate, combine, press or use a fly goalkeeper.”

It wasn’t just that MFC players coped - they thrived. Uniatowicz scored multiple match-winning goals, including a dramatic long-range strike that helped Plymouth Argyle secure back-to-back victories and qualify for the knockout stages of the competition.

“That goal to win our second match in a row was definitely my favourite moment,” said Tomas. “To do that on a big stage, with so much on the line - it was unreal.”

Jake added: “When Uni scored from inside our half, after we’d defended brilliantly as a 4 - the atmosphere and celebrations were crazy.”

Jordan agreed: “We even had a proper futsal 4v4 against the MLS team. I played with Payne, Jake and Uni - we locked in defensively, then Uni pulled out that goal. That moment and meeting Ricardinho? Easily the highlights of the trip.”

A Club That Backs Its Players

Perhaps most impressively, Manchester Futsal Club supported the opportunity so fully that the club even rescheduled its National Futsal Series Final to allow the players to attend TST.

MFC didn’t just give me the technical tools to perform,” said Jake. “They built a pathway, opened doors through their network, and trusted us to represent them. That means a lot.”

“Without MFC, this opportunity wouldn’t have existed,” said Tomas. “They connected with Plymouth, helped us prepare, and gave us the chance to grow.”

It was clear from the outside too - the players were there not just as individuals, but as representatives of what Manchester Futsal Club stands for: competitive, composed, humble and hard-working.

“Futsal and 7-a-side are different sports,” Jordan said, “but futsal gives you tools that transfer - awareness, decision-making, playing under pressure. It helps you approach small-sided games in a smarter way.”

A Platform for Modern Footballers

As football continues to evolve, Manchester Futsal Club is proving that its role extends beyond futsal leagues. The club is positioning itself as a modern talent hub - providing players with access to education, national team pathways, international tournaments, media opportunities, and now, global football small-sided experiences.

Whether it’s a 5v5 Champions League court or a 7v7 knockout game in North Carolina, MFC players are being given the chance to shine.

“To young players, I’d say: be patient, work hard, and always be willing to learn,” Jake said. “These kinds of opportunities don’t come overnight - they come from years of development and trust.”

Tomas added: “Play your own game. Don’t try to change yourself just because it’s a different format. Enjoy the experience and stay true to what makes you effective.”

The Future: More Than Just Futsal

As Manchester Futsal Club approaches two decades of existence, its mission is clearer than ever: to grow the game, empower players, and build one of the UK’s most impactful football and futsal ecosystems.

And in the words of Chairman Simon Wright:

“If we can open doors like this for our players, we will. Our role is to create environments and opportunities where they can thrive - whether in Manchester or on the global stage.”

Ready to Create Your Own Path?

Manchester Futsal Club is more than a team - it’s a platform for players to grow, develop, and access the world. Whether you’re new to the sport or looking to take your skills to the next level, there’s a pathway for you.

To learn more about our programmes and player opportunities, visit www.manchesterfutsalacademy.com