Benatar to Lead USA Women’s Soccer Team at Maccabi Games
5/7/2024 1:36:00 PM | Soccer
Benatar named the head coach for the USA Women’s Open Team at the Maccabi Games in July 2025
HOUSTON – University of Houston Assistant Soccer Coach Fleur Benatar was selected as the head coach for the United States Women's Open Team that will participate at the Maccabi Games from July 8-22, 2025, in Haifa, Jerusalem, the organization announced.
"We are very excited for Fleur and the unique opportunity she has to be the head coach of Team USA at the upcoming Maccabi Games," Houston Soccer Head Coach Jaime Frias said. "Fleur brings passion, knowledge, and enthusiasm to everything she does to ensure the players under her care get a world-class person and coach. It's always an honor to represent your country at an international event and I couldn't think of a more deserving person than Fleur to lead the team!"
Benatar is entering her third year on the Houston Soccer coaching staff. In 2023, the Cougars recorded their best start in program history, going 6-0-1. In her first two seasons in Third Ward, Benatar coached a pair of student-athletes to All-Conference freshman honors, including Alex Whitcraft and Aryanna Jimison being named to the American Athletic Conference All-Freshman Team and the Big 12 All-Freshman Team, respectively.
The Richardson, Texas, native has more than 25 years of coaching experience after serving a pair of stints at North Texas, where she helped guide the program to four consecutive Conference USA Championships and four regular season titles. In her first season as the associate head coach, the Mean Green won a program-best 19 matches, including a program record 15 shutouts.
She has also served as a National Scout for the US Soccer Talent Identification Program for the last 11 years in addition to attending several regional and national team camps.
Benatar is fresh off a UEFA Friendship Tournament Championship in Riva, Turkey, in April, where she served as an assistant coach for the U.S. U-16 Women's National Team.
"I feel tremendously honored to be leading our US women's team in the Maccabi Games in Israel in 2025," said Benatar. "There are so many reasons that this is an extraordinary event alone but to learn and feel the history, heritage and pride coaching this team will be one of the greatest soccer experiences of my life."
Maccabi USA's mission is to build Jewish pride through sports and promote support for Israel, Zionism and Jewish continuity through athletic, educational and cultural experiences for participants of all ages. Maccabi USA envisions a world where sports serve as a galvanizing force in strengthening Jewish pride, connection and community.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Soccer by supporting Linking Coogs – UH's very own NIL collective, giving to Houston Rise, and by joining the Cougar Reserves which provides financial support directly to Houston Soccer for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarSoccer on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarSoccer or on the team's Instagram page at @uhcougarsoccer.
"We are very excited for Fleur and the unique opportunity she has to be the head coach of Team USA at the upcoming Maccabi Games," Houston Soccer Head Coach Jaime Frias said. "Fleur brings passion, knowledge, and enthusiasm to everything she does to ensure the players under her care get a world-class person and coach. It's always an honor to represent your country at an international event and I couldn't think of a more deserving person than Fleur to lead the team!"
Benatar is entering her third year on the Houston Soccer coaching staff. In 2023, the Cougars recorded their best start in program history, going 6-0-1. In her first two seasons in Third Ward, Benatar coached a pair of student-athletes to All-Conference freshman honors, including Alex Whitcraft and Aryanna Jimison being named to the American Athletic Conference All-Freshman Team and the Big 12 All-Freshman Team, respectively.
The Richardson, Texas, native has more than 25 years of coaching experience after serving a pair of stints at North Texas, where she helped guide the program to four consecutive Conference USA Championships and four regular season titles. In her first season as the associate head coach, the Mean Green won a program-best 19 matches, including a program record 15 shutouts.
She has also served as a National Scout for the US Soccer Talent Identification Program for the last 11 years in addition to attending several regional and national team camps.
Benatar is fresh off a UEFA Friendship Tournament Championship in Riva, Turkey, in April, where she served as an assistant coach for the U.S. U-16 Women's National Team.
"I feel tremendously honored to be leading our US women's team in the Maccabi Games in Israel in 2025," said Benatar. "There are so many reasons that this is an extraordinary event alone but to learn and feel the history, heritage and pride coaching this team will be one of the greatest soccer experiences of my life."
Maccabi USA's mission is to build Jewish pride through sports and promote support for Israel, Zionism and Jewish continuity through athletic, educational and cultural experiences for participants of all ages. Maccabi USA envisions a world where sports serve as a galvanizing force in strengthening Jewish pride, connection and community.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Soccer by supporting Linking Coogs – UH's very own NIL collective, giving to Houston Rise, and by joining the Cougar Reserves which provides financial support directly to Houston Soccer for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarSoccer on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarSoccer or on the team's Instagram page at @uhcougarsoccer.
− UHCougars.com –
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