SL Benfica and Gotham FC sign strategic partnership

STATEMENTS

Sport Lisboa e Benfica and Gotham FC, a team from the National Women's Soccer League, from the United States, signed a strategic partnership aimed at sharing knowledge and development in several areas related to women's soccer.

As part of Benfica's expansion plan in the United States, in this case with particular focus on the strategic positioning of Gotham FC in New Jersey and New York, where there is a large Portuguese and Benfica community, the Club seeks to deepen its roots in the region and explore the wealth of talent and passion for soccer.

Through this partnership, SL Benfica is poised to gain invaluable knowledge and insights from the North American women's soccer landscape. By closely studying the advancements and best practices in women's football in the region, the Club seeks to enhance its own player development programs and strengthen its position as a leader in talent development on a global scale.

"Benfica can benefit a lot from this partnership. Women's soccer in the United States is very advanced, there are 12 million ladies competing, federated. Women's soccer is much more advanced in America. With the investment and with the will Benfica has shown in the last years, we are making strides, and we will reach their level very quickly. On either side of the ocean, there are equal goals", claimed Bernardo Faria de Carvalho, Global Expansion Director at Benfica.

Gotham FC is the oldest professional team in the North American women's league. "We feel that we are sort of the veterans of the league, we want to show that, our experience, our talent, our youth... The Gotham women's team is growing fast, it's noticeable in everything: in the youth development, in the interaction with the fans, etc. We have a giant Portuguese community supporting us", highlighted Josh Murphy, Gotham FC Senior Advisor on Soccer Operations and Soccer Partnerships.

"Alongside SL Benfica, this partnership provides an opportunity to bring a familiar connection from Portugal to the Portuguese community in our own backyard of New York and New Jersey, while positioning Gotham FC as a global brand. Together, our collective commitment will help grow the game and expand our reach in the United States and internationally", finished Josh Murphy.