CHICAGO (Jan. 28, 2025) – U.S. Soccer announced today that it has named Diego Burato head coach of the U.S. Women’s Futsal National Team. The former U.S. Futsal MNT player will take over from Marcia Tafarel, who led the squad through its 18-month Talent Identification process and first full national team camps in 2024 and 2025.
"We are entering the final stage of preparation for this team in their effort to qualify for the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup and we’re excited to have a coach like Diego Burato guide the team into qualifying,” said Stuart Sharp, Head of U.S. Soccer’s Extended National Teams. “His experience and understanding of what it means to elevate and compete at this level will be pivotal for us as we lay the final groundwork in anticipation of competing and excelling at the Concacaf Women's Futsal Championship."
"We want to thank Marcia for all her hard work in helping to lay the foundation for this team the past two years and wish her all the best in continuing to help us grow the game at every level in the United States,” added Sharp.
Burato, who has served as interim head coach of the U.S. Futsal MNT since last October, will guide the Futsal WNT for the first time at next month’s training camp in Costa Rica, where the team will also play its first-ever international matches, facing off against the Costa Rica Women’s Futsal National Team. The Futsal WNT will then hold one more camp in April before Burato names his final roster for the inaugural 2025 Concacaf Women’s Futsal Championship, which will serve as qualifying for the 2025 FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup this November in the Philippines.
“I’m honored for the opportunity to lead the U.S. Women’s Futsal National Team into qualifying for the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup,” Burato said. “As we prepare for this exciting journey, our primary focus will be to establish our methodology as fast as possible as well as a strong culture among our Futsal community. I understand that there is a lot of work ahead of us to achieve our goals, and I’m fully committed to this process.
“Success will require dedication, collaboration, and relentless effort from our players, staff and U.S. Soccer. Together, we will build a foundation that not only honors the legacy who came before us but also paves the way for future generations of female athletes. I’m excited to begin working with the team as we embark on this journey with everyone to make our vision a reality.”
Born in Criciuma, Brazil, Burato began playing Futsal as a young child before moving to Italy where he carved out a 17-year professional career playing for Vesevo, Montesilvano, Real Rieti, Pescara, Pesaro Fano, Feldi Eboli, and Tombesi. Burato totaled 143 goals in 392 official matches during his 13-year professional futsal career, playing in two UEFA Futsal Champions League tournaments, one FIFA Club World Cup winning an Italian Serie A and Coppa Italia title.
While playing for Montesilvano, Burato first dipped his toe into coaching with the club’s academy but moved to the United States to be closer to his father and played professional indoor soccer for the Mesquite Outlaws and Dallas Sidekicks of the Major Arena Soccer League from 2019-2021. Upon gaining his U.S. citizenship in 2022, Burato began representing the U.S. Futsal MNT, appearing in seven matches, including all four games at the 2024 Concacaf Futsal Championship.
