In 2016, Matthew and Patrick Leal, 14-year-old twins from Newton, Mass., competed in the IberCup, an international tournament featuring top club sides from throughout the world. So when July 2017 rolled around, the Leal twins had a tryout organized with C.F. Os Belenenses, a club that plays in the Primeira Liga, Portugal’s top division. They ultimately made the top U-15 Os Belenenses academy side, where they now train during the afternoon. In the mornings, they train with Valeo International Academy, a venture set up by Emelio Williams, director of Valeo FC, the Boston-area club they grew up playing for. Patrick scored seven goals and earned a call-up in February 2017 to the U.S. U-14 national team. As of early January, the Leal brothers were not yet cleared to play in matches with Os Belenenses due to FIFA paperwork not yet clearing. They remain hopeful that they get approval soon, as the winter approval window runs from Jan. 3 to Feb. 2 in Portugal. In the interim, they’re living overseas with their mom and follow an American curriculum with private teachers that come to their home. They also grew up speaking Portuguese, since their father has roots in New Bedford, Mass., easing the cultural adjustment to life overseas. http://www.nesoccerjournal.com/neso...?articleId=1295223&app=false#articleId1295223
Patrick has signed with Sporting CP: 1038022447705010177 is not a valid tweet id (Based on her Twitter feed, I assume this is their mom.)
Boston’s Patrick Leal, 15, signs youth contract with Sporting CP https://t.co/fVRdpgNXIQ pic.twitter.com/4JOpbIsXou— ProSoccerUSA.com (@ProSoccerUSAcom) October 4, 2018 Revs academy player to Portugal.
Sweet! Any word on his twin brother? Edit: Linked article says that brother Matthew joined Sacavenense of Portugal's third division
Already a thread on them: https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/leal-twins-in-portugal.2080363/#post-36225095 Should probably combine. @bungadiri
Official mug. Patrick Leal ‘03 🇺🇸🇵🇹@RamosTab @RichardMotzkin @ussoccer_ynt pic.twitter.com/ATe7h8hIfa— Lisa Ganley-Leal (@LisaGPhD) January 20, 2019
Another mom pic: Matthew Leal ‘03 🇺🇸🇵🇹 playing for Lisbon’s SG Sacavenense U16’s in frigid weather @ValeoFutbolClub @ussoccer_mnt @ussoccer_ynt #Americansabroad! pic.twitter.com/6x9s64vsKu— Lisa Ganley-Leal (@LisaGPhD) January 28, 2019
Another mom update: Patrick Leal ‘03 🇺🇸with a start for Sporting U16 vs Braga U17 at the Viana Cup. 1-1 final score. @USYNT @FutureUsmnt @USMNT @PatrickTleal9 pic.twitter.com/6RV48lO2fH— Lisa Ganley-Leal (@LisaGPhD) April 19, 2019
Matthew scores: Goal! Matthew Leal ‘03 🇺🇸 (U16 SG Sacavenense); Portugal @USYNT @USMNT @MatthewLealSACA pic.twitter.com/h1dpquYJHx— Lisa Ganley-Leal (@LisaGPhD) April 22, 2019 Patrick scores: Goal! Patrick Leal ‘03 🇺🇸 (U16 Sporting CP); Portugal @USYNT @USMNT @PatrickTleal9 pic.twitter.com/GZ0OI2neyE— Lisa Ganley-Leal (@LisaGPhD) April 22, 2019
Patrick Leal 🇺🇸 ‘03 playing the #8 and 10 with Sporting U16 at the Toyo Tires Cup in Germany. Sporting CP victorious all three games today. @PatrickTleal9 @USYNT @USMNT pic.twitter.com/KDPuBA09V6— Lisa Ganley-Leal (@LisaGPhD) June 9, 2019
After a short break, Matthew and Patrick Leal ‘03 🇺🇸 are headed back to Portugal for the U17 National Competition season! @MatthewLeal_ @PatrickTleal9 @Stellar_Soccer @ussoccer @USMNT pic.twitter.com/W9KCeXqa9U— Lisa Ganley-Leal (@LisaGPhD) July 14, 2019
More mom-generated publicity: Another 90 min and international goal for Matthew Leal ‘03 🇺🇸 🇵🇹 today in Algarve, Portugal. That’s two goals in three games so far, playing the 6/8. @USYNT @USMNT @Stellar_Soccer @MatthewLeal_— Lisa Ganley-Leal (@LisaGPhD) September 1, 2019 I wonder if she means "club" rather than "international"?
Matthew signs a 5 year contract: After only one year with the club, Patrick Leal ‘03 🇺🇸🇵🇹signs a 5 yr youth->professional contract with Sporting CP today. @PatrickTleal9 @USMNT @Stellar_Soccer @USYNT @FutureUsmnt @YAAWSR @RealUSMNT @ProSoccerUSAcom @USAprospects @NBCSportsSoccer pic.twitter.com/5EHn19GEZe— Lisa Ganley-Leal (@LisaGPhD) September 2, 2019
Patrick goal: Patrick Leal’s (‘03 🇺🇸🇵🇹) goal on Sporting TV. @USYNT @USMNT @ussoccer @Stellar_Soccer @PatrickTleal9 pic.twitter.com/U7zAwpuQlG— Lisa Ganley-Leal (@LisaGPhD) December 1, 2019
More from Mom: Matthew Leal ‘03 🇺🇸🇵🇹 with his 4th U17 international goal this season in Lisbon, today! @MatthewLeal_ @Stellar_Soccer @ussoccer @USYNT @USMNT pic.twitter.com/jGiK1hHEzZ— Lisa Ganley-Leal (@LisaGPhD) December 8, 2019
Patrick scores: Patrick Leal 🇺🇸🇵🇹with the winning goal for Sporting CP! @PatrickTleal9 @USMNT @Stellar_Soccer https://t.co/3tkXfRtAN1— Lisa Ganley-Leal (@LisaGPhD) January 19, 2020
Another Mom-o-gram: Matthew Leal ‘03 🇺🇸🇵🇹with his 5th international goal this season (at the 6), another 90 min and a 3-0 victory today in Lisbon. @MatthewLeal_ @Stellar_Soccer @newbalance @USMNT @ussoccer pic.twitter.com/Fc3QUDXP1P— Lisa Ganley-Leal (@LisaGPhD) February 23, 2020
Patrick Leal ‘03 🇺🇸🇵🇹 taking on the entire team! @Sporting_CP @USMNT @Stellar_Soccer @PatrickTleal9 pic.twitter.com/PBI8oynw3H— Lisa Ganley-Leal (@LisaGPhD) March 10, 2020 Matthew Leal ‘03 🇺🇸🇵🇹promoted to U19 this week. (But then coronavirus happened... delaying his premier ☹️) @MatthewLeal_ @Stellar_Soccer @USMNT pic.twitter.com/6Fqpj0lYK4— Lisa Ganley-Leal (@LisaGPhD) March 10, 2020
Matthew: 90 minutes for @MatthewLeal_ ‘03 🇺🇸for the initiation of the U21 Cup in Portugal. Coach needed him at left center back today. 4-0 victory -very good start to the tournament. @Stellar_Soccer pic.twitter.com/iTr6nQReNq— Lisa Ganley-Leal (@LisaGPhD) May 1, 2021