The Futboleros are the Harlem Globetrotters of soccer.  James Ortega created an instructional DVD on the art of soccer juggling, tricks and ball-handling.  It was the fated year of 2008 when Ortega made the transition to entertainment services. (Find out more about TopDrawerSoccer.com’s newly formed partnership with the NSCAA for the 2010 Convention!)

Ortega put on his first show at the 2008 Baltimore, Maryland, NSCAA Convention.  The founding Futboleros were made up of Ortega himself, former Nike employees, and recruited soccer players.  His crew was seen by thousands of coaches and soccer companies at the Convention and that’s when Ortega’s mind began to percolate and see an opportunity to break into the entertainment industry.

L.A. Galaxy approached James Ortega in 2008 and from there was born an exclusive partnership, known as the Galaxy Futboleros, to entertain before every home game.  They are now putting on over 180 events a year with the L.A. Sol, adidas, the 2009 Central American Parade, on the Nike’s Sports Float promoting the 2010 World Cup, Fortune 500 companies like AT&T, Disney, Coke and more.  

James Ortega has made several appearances in commercials and ads for Gatorade, Propel, Puma, Coca Cola, Powerade, and more.  You can read the profiles of each Futbolero HERE.

So what do the Futboleros do?  Futboleros means “Soccer Players” in Spanish, but we can think of them as soccer brand entertainers.  They are professional athletes who perform freestyle soccer tricks and complex juggling combinations, soccer stunts, and basic juggling skills that combine mastery, skill, speed, strength, balance, concentration and dedication.  

Futboleros are an entertainment service – performing, operating events (like their Ultimate Soccer Arena Cage for 1v1 and 2v2 ultimate soccer), and providing their own line of apparel.  They recently launched their own soccer juggling ball which is as light as a volleyball and easier to juggle.

The members of the Futboleros operate autonomously but are required to follow the guidelines set for the crew:  everyone is responsible and dependable, but asked to practice for two hours minimum daily.  They have to keep up with their fitness and training, and must be able to juggle for 3-4 minutes straight.  Every Futbolero needs to be in shape to perform for events 3-4 hours long.

The Futboleros each have their signature moves – since their inception, they’ve begun incorporating break-dancing, and combinations into their moves.

The Futboleros perform for most events: Bar Mitzvahs, parties, conventions, tournaments.  You can contact them at: www.futboleros.us to find out more.