Benfica USA
Benfica USA
Background
Benfica USA was formed in 2006; one team grew to more than twenty boys and girls teams from U10-U18. Key players have been selected to Olympic Development Program (ODP), Region 1, National Pools and USSF Academies.
This club is morphing each day; in 2011 Benfica USA merged with Shalrie Joseph SC and became known as Benfica USA/SJSC (“Benfica”). Benfica has a professional affiliation with S.L. Benfica of Portugal and has approximately twenty teams that compete in the Northeast Soccer League (NSL) and Region 1.
In November of 2012 they again entered into a “partnership” with Seacoast United Sports Club which is an organization consisting of soccer clubs, baseball clubs, field hockey, etc. Current soccer clubs within the organization include Seacoast United Mariners and Seacoast United Blackbear of Maine, Seacoast United Storm, Seacoast Express United, Seacoast United Mountaineers and Manchester Soccer Club of NH.
Benfica USA/SJSC joined Seacoast United Soccer Club, based in Hampton, NH, in order to offer a greater level of opportunities for their current players and to other soccer players in the region.
Seacoast United Partners with Benfica USA for Enhanced Soccer Opportunities
HAMPTON, NH – Seacoast United Sports Club welcomes Benfica USA, MA as its new regional partner. Benfica USA, originating in 2006 from Merrimack Valley and metro/Boston, brings nearly 20 elite teams competing in MAPLE, MASC, and Region 1 leagues. This partnership augments Seacoast United’s roster, which already includes around 200 teams, and expands opportunities for players across various levels of play in New England.
Starting January 2013, a joint Junior Academy development program will be launched, mirroring the successful SUSC program. Interested participants can expect evaluations as early as December 2012. This initiative strengthens the bond between Seacoast United, recognized for its inclusive approach to soccer in New England, and Benfica USA, known for its player development and professional coaching.
About Seacoast United
Seacoast United, which has more than 200 teams, touts itself as one of the only clubs in the area that caters to every level of play. This includes community programs, competitive travel and elite teams at every age level, college showcase teams and the U.S. Soccer Development Academy program. The Club is also involved in the USA’s minor league system at the adult level as a member of the Premier Development League (PDL), National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) and the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL). Seacoast United’s sister Club in the UK is Oxford United, who compete in England’s Division 2.
Camps/Clinics
Camps and clinics can be found on the Benfica website and consist of:
- April Vacation Clinic
- U10-U11 Winter Clinic in Newton
- Goalkeeper Clinic
- Winter Clinic
- Columbus Weekend Clinics
- Summer Camp
YOUTH ACADEMY
As a result of Benfica’s relationship with Seacoast United Soccer Club the youth academy is known as “SUSC/Benfica USA Junior Academy”; this program started in January 2012. Age groups here include 6-9 years old. Players move from the Academy into Benfica teams.
Tournaments
Make sure your’e Finding the Best Youth Soccer Tournaments.
Website
- The Benfica website is easy to use; lots of updated information including the latest mergers in which they are involved; good team directories section as well.
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My daughter played for Benfica in 2016-2017 fall and spring experience. It was a decent experience. The club seemed well-organized. Coaching was good, though my daughter felt that the practices were not as well run as in other clubs she played for. Our one signficant complaint was a lack of a consistent base of operations. When we started the season, practices were in Lynnfield in the fall. Then they moved to Lawrence for the spring…much farther, but doable.
We signed up for the Sprint 2018 season (my daughter entered high school and played for her school in the fall). We assumed the practices would fall somewhere between Lawrence and Lynnfield. Imagine our surprise when we were told practices were now in Dracut. That’s more than an hour drive for us each way, probably closer to 90 minutes with the traffic we would encounter for evening practice. I’ve never heard of our a club without a fixed (or reasonably fixed base of operations). We decided it was not feasible for my daughter to play for Benfica, given the impact of 2-3 hours in the car would have on her school work.
Despite good faith discussions with the organization, they refused to refund any of the $1475 money we paid.
In general my strong advice would be to avoid this club. If you are interested, make sure you get a commitment on where practices will be for each season before you pay any money. As my experience shows, it could be anywhere within a 40 mile radius.
I’m a player for Benfica and the club is great I just joined this year and the whole organization makes me feel welcome overall I think the coaches have made me better since my first day of training
Real nice fields and great coaches
Just only entering the club in September 2016 I can say that the club is OK. Some of the players are outstanding and some need more practice. Overall the fields, the coaches, and the players are outstanding for a small club like benfica.
My children used to play for them and we left for lack of development they seemed they just wanted the money. Our children never improved but got worse,, coaches pick their town kids to play for them at a jacked up price. Our kids thrived at other clubs and improved the merger with seacoast was to keep from going under
The comment above is not sour grapes! Benfica has poor coaching, poor team and player development; solid players leave because of low player skill and unreliable coaching and decision-making..
As an independent observer I found that the coaching can’t possibly be where it should be because a lot of players I’ve seen that came through this program are equal too and in some cases worse than your standard town players
My son played for Benfica from U10 to U14, I can tell that @ the end of U14 season most of the players that started the U10 season had been cut from the team or left to play in other club teams. To me this was poor player
Development on the organization.
My son also left @ the end of U14 season to play for a more competitive club team, we felt after him being coached by the same Pearson for 4 seasons he was not developing to his full potential.
Sounds like sour grapes, maybe your kid isn’t as good as you think he is?
Hi, My daughter Viviana want to joint Befica Soccer club. I would like little more information about the clue. Do you have an number that I can call …?
Regards,
Penny Klot
All the contact information is on the website, http://www.benficausa.org
Don’t know too much about Benfica but the Seacoast club is very strong – I think. Been with them for two years and just love the way the coaches work with my son and the patience they have! Would recommend Seacoast!