Pura Vida Futsal - Pablo Blanco in Costa Rica

By Pablo Blanco, member of the U.S. Youth Futsal Boys U16 team

Today started with waking up and going down to the lobby and eating a good breakfast with my team. After breakfast we ready for our first practice session. We left the hotel and went to the place where we practice and the main focus was defending. The practice was intense and our team started to look good! 

After the practice we went back to hotel and ate lunch and then everyone got some rest for the next practice session. When ready all the players and some parents got on the bus and we left to another futsal court. As we approach the venue we noticed that it's was actually a school. We got off the bus all the students of the school was staring at us but we had to act professional and not do anything that makes us look bad. 

The practice session focused on attacking. During the practice we played the u18s and we technically beat them so now we have bragging rights. After practice we left to the hotel and everyone got ready for dinner. 

Later that night we all went to the nice restaurant.  When we walked in there was a view of the city and it was beautiful. We all sat down waiting for the food. The food came it was all delicious then all of the sudden a band stared to play music and some guys in costumes started dancing. It didn't take long for every one else to jump in and start dancing. Every one was having so much fun! 

After all the fun, we went back to the hotel and on the way we had a sing along. Everyone on the bus was singing "Baby" by Justin Bieber and it was silly but fun. As soon as we got back to the hotel, Coach Hawk had a talk with us saying the we need to get in the right mind set for tomorrow because all six teams need to get a win.

Blanco (right) with Jeovany Garcia, Ariana Garcia and Alex Mendez