What the new talent development partnership means for Portugal's Benfica and MLS' FC Dallas
Portugal’s S. L. Benfica and MLS’ FC Dallas have entered a “talent development partnership,” with the aim of bringing together their youth academies to offer players a pathway to first team soccer both in the United States and Portugal, announced the Toros team.
“Partnering with a club that shares our commitment and has the legacy and talent that Benfica possesses allows both of us to keep creating incredible opportunities for athletes and soccer professionals globally,” FC Dallas President Dan Hunt said in a prepared statement.
Benfica, who has won 38 league championships and two European Cups, and the two-time Lamar Hunt U.S Open Cup champions will collaborate to exchange coaching expertise that will allow young, talented players to experience different playing styles and cultures to enhance their personal and professional development, according to a press release.
Benfica Vice President Manuel de Brito said the United States is a strategic market for the Lisbon club’s growth strategy.
“Soccer has been the fastest-growing sport among young people in the U.S and Benfica has been very actively looking for opportunities for the last two years,” he said.
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For him, approaching FC Dallas was a natural step for the Portuguese powerhouse.
“We believe this partnership will help us increase our presence in the U.S.,” he said. “FC Dallas is the leading youth soccer academy in America, as numerous former FC Dallas Academy players are in the national teams of the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Possibilities are endless and I believe this partnership will be a success.”
Benfica has won the award for best academy in the world three times at the prestigious Globe Soccer Awards in the United Arab Emirates.
The club has helped develop several national team players such as Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, João Félix and João Cancelo.
“Player development is at the core of Benfica’s DNA, and we are proud of the work we have done in this area,” said Benfica Campus Director Pedro Mil-Homens in a prepared statement. “We look forward to sharing our insight and expertise with FC Dallas and will surely learn from them as well. This collaboration will benefit many of our players, who can have new experiences and an additional career path in the United States.”
FC Dallas has had their fair share of helping develop players, including national team players such as Chris Richards, Ricardo Pepi, Jesús Ferreira and Paxton Pomykal.
“Our shared philosophies make this an ideal partnership for our clubs,” said FC Dallas Technical Director Andre Zanotta.
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: S.L. Benfica and FC Dallas announce talent development partnership
