Folstad Signs with Joy SLP

Saint Louis Park, MN - Mika Folstad is a long time Joy of the People player and the second player to sign with the NPSL expansion team. ​ Folstad was a member of the U19 US Youth Futsal National Championship team and traveled with Joy of the People on their annual trip to Barcelona for free play and to participate in the Futsal World Cup tournament. "Mika is a silky smooth midfielder who can give you that 15 yards of penetration when you need it. He makes things very simple, he is one of the most entertaining players I have ever coached. So excited that he is joining Joy SLP," said Ted Kroeten, Artistic Director and Co-Founder of Joy of the People.

Folstad is taking a gap year during the pandemic and is planning to attend college in the fall of 2021. His younger sister Lennon also plays at Joy of the People.

In addition to Folstad, Joy SLP has recently announced the signing of local homegrown players to the NPSL roster that includes, Emmanuel Iwe, Aden Cavanaugh, Marco Corona-Duran, Eric Lagos, Noah Kantorowiz, and Bennett Kouame.

Kroeten has selected well-known local coach, Arinze ‘Ace’ Ezirike, to coach the NPSL expansion team during its inaugural season with Lioul Minas acting as the assistant coach.

Joy Athletic is the umbrella organization for both the NPSL soccer team and the NFSL futsal team, and its mission is to place beauty over winning. The vision is to provide a venue for some of the talent developed in the free play youth system at Joy of the People soccer club and change the way people think about talent development.

Andrei Gotsmanov, General Manager of Joy of the People, will help manage the day-to-day operations of Joy Athletic, bringing to the players and coaching staff his unique perspective as a former MN United player and NCAA standout at St. Johns University and Creighton University.

The NPSL season is scheduled to start in May 2021 and finishes with playoffs in the middle of August 2021. Joy SLP home games will be played at the Oriole Stadium at Saint Louis Park High School.

For more information on Joy SPL visit: www.joyalthletic.com. For more information on Joy of the People, the parent organization, please visit:

www.joyofthepeople.org

Contact: Andrei Gotsmanov, General Manager @ admin@joyofthepeople.org or 651-214-7017.