FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Maryland, April 7, 2025 – Maryland Rush is excited to announce the appointment of Denison Cabral as the club's new Technical Director. With an exceptional career in both soccer and futsal, Cabral brings a wealth of experience, leadership, and passion for the game to his new role.
A native of Florianopolis, Brazil, Cabral’s 18-year playing career spanned over 22 countries, where he excelled in both soccer and futsal. He is widely regarded as one of the most popular players in the history of professional indoor soccer in Baltimore, a reputation solidified through his iconic career with the Baltimore Blast, where he became the franchise's all-time leading point scorer, earning six League All-Star honors and five championships. Cabral was inducted into the Baltimore Blast Hall of Fame in 2014.
Since 2006, Cabral has served as the President and Director of Coaching at the Denison Cabral Futsal Academy (DCFA), where he has worked with players ranging from ages 3 to 19. Under his leadership, the DCFA has become a powerhouse of futsal in the region, with its teams consistently competing at the highest levels across the United States and internationally. Cabral’s coaching accomplishments include taking the DCFA Girls U13 team to Brazil, where they finished second in an international futsal tournament, and guiding numerous youth teams to state, regional, and national championships.
Cabral’s experience as a player and coach is further distinguished by his international achievements, including captaining the U.S. Futsal National Team at the CONCACAF Championship in Guatemala and the 2008 FIFA Futsal World Cup in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He is also known as the first coach in the region to take a U.S. youth futsal team to Brazil, the birthplace of futsal, where his teams experienced top-tier international competition.
Fluent in Portuguese (his first language), Spanish, and English, Denison’s ability to communicate with players from diverse backgrounds will be an asset in his role as Technical Director.
Cabral’s coaching experience spans a wide range of roles at top-level clubs and organizations. For the past 5 years, he has served as the Girls Program Director for Next Level Soccer Club, while also acting as the USFF National Director of Youth Development since 2018. From 2017 to 2019, Cabral was the Head Coach for the Harrisburg Heat, a professional indoor soccer team, and was nominated for MASL Coach of the Year in his first season. His previous roles also include serving as the Maryland United FC U9-12 Girls Youth Technical Director (North/South programs) in 2015 and as the Maryland United FC 00’s ECNL Assistant Coach in 2014. In 2013, he was the Assistant Coach for the Maryland United FC 01 Pre-ECNL team, leading them to 2013 State Cup and WAGSL Division championships. In 2012, Cabral was the Head Coach for DCFA Girls Cruzeiro, guiding the team to six Maryland Futsal State Championships, three Regional Championships, two US Futsal Cup Championships. He has also enjoyed numerous tournament victories as a futsal coach, including State Cup, Regionals, Nationals, and a second-place finish at the Floripa International Futsal Cup in Brazil with the 2008 GU13’s.
Maryland Rush President Tim DeWitt added, “Denison’s impressive track record both as a player and a coach speaks volumes about his ability to drive success. We are confident that his expertise, passion for the game, and leadership will be a tremendous asset to our organization and the players we serve."
Cabral currently holds a USSF D License, PC de Oliveira Master Course and Sports Psychology Nano Course.
He will be responsible for overseeing the technical development of all Maryland Rush teams, from youth through elite levels, and ensuring that players receive the best training and guidance possible.
Welcome to the Rush family, Coach Denison!
