Villarreal CF strengthens North America project with high-profile visit
Villarreal CF took another step in its push into North America by sending Carlos Ortiz, the club’s academy director for the Americas, to the Brandon United Football Cooperative (BUFC) summer camp in Brandon, Canada. The Spanish coach -who oversees Yellow Submarine projects in Canada, the U.S., Mexico and Argentina- worked with 80 boys and girls aged 9 to 15 over four intense training days. Villarreal CF have scored 72 goals and conceded 46 this season (+26 goal difference), while sitting third in La Liga, 22 points behind leaders Barcelona.
What happened at the BUFC camp with Villarreal CF?
The fifth edition of the camp mixed video sessions, position-specific drills and team exercises under the club’s methodology. Ortiz praised the reception in Brandon: “Everyone received me really well. You can see the players’ roots are from Eastern Europe, Africa and South America, and here they all work together regardless of origin”. According to camp facilitator Ryan Childs, this was the first time the coach visited the city, but the partnership between BUFC and Villarreal CF has been solid for five years.
Why does this alliance matter for Villarreal CF?
The link with BUFC lets local youngsters access training stints in Spain and Las Vegas, where they can be scouted on a global stage. “It’s a rare chance for local players to step into international projects”, Childs said. Ortiz, who oversees academies in five countries, stressed the goal is to spot talent outside the usual radar: “Talent exists everywhere, and here we see how football brings kids from different backgrounds together”.
Villarreal CF eyes the future with its North America network
Since 2021, Villarreal CF has expanded its academy network across the continent, with projects in Mexico and Argentina. The club, which in La Liga alternates wins like the 3-0 over Sevilla with losses like the 1-2 to Real Madrid, uses these initiatives to nurture its youth ranks and explore emerging markets. “Working with BUFC has been easy and very rewarding”, Ortiz added. With 22 wins, 6 draws and 10 losses in 38 games and third in the table, Villarreal CF keeps betting on growth beyond Spain.
