| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | (1998-05-23)23 May 1998 (age 26) | ||
| Place of birth | London, England | ||
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Chattanooga Red Wolves | ||
| Number | 10 | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2016–2018 | West Virginia Wesleyan Bobcats | 54 | (25) |
| 2019 | Missouri State Bears | 20 | (15) |
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2018–2019 | GPS Portland Phoenix | 16 | (8) |
| 2020–2021 | Basildon United | 0 | (0) |
| 2021 | Hornchurch | 8 | (2) |
| 2021 | Lionsbridge | 16 | (9) |
| 2021 | Dover Athletic | 7 | (0) |
| 2021 | Leatherhead | 6 | (4) |
| 2022–2023 | Richmond Kickers | 55 | (7) |
| 2024–2025 | Maidstone United | 31 | (6) |
| 2025– | Chattanooga Red Wolves | 0 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 27 January 2025 | |||
Matthew Bentley (born 23 May 1998) is an English professionalfootballer who plays as aforward forUSL League One clubChattanooga Red Wolves.
Born inGreater London, Bentley went toTrinity Catholic High School, Woodford Green nearWoodford Green during his teenage years. In 2016, Bentley headed to the United States, through the U.S Sports Scholarships organization, which helps English footballers attend an American post-secondary institution to earn a degree and playcollege soccer.[1]
Bentley would move to the United States to playcollege soccer for theWest Virginia Wesleyan Bobcats for his freshman through junior seasons. In his time at West Virginia Wesleyan, Bentley made 54 appearances, scoring 25 goals.[2]
Ahead of his senior season, Bentley transferred from West Virginia Wesleyan toMissouri State University. During the2019 NCAA Division I men's soccer season, Bentley helped Missouri State achieve a program-best 18–1–1 record, including their first ever top-10 ranking fromUnited Soccer Coaches. Bentley finished with 15 goals in 20 appearances for the Bears. His performance earned him aFirst-Team All-American honor fromUnited Soccer Coaches, for being one of the top college soccer players in the United States.[3] Bentley became the first footballer from Missouri State University to earn the honor.
On 13 January 2020 Bentley was selected byMajor League Soccer club,Minnesota United FC, in the fourth round with the 88th overall pick in the2020 MLS SuperDraft,[4] however, after being with the club during pre-season for a month, he was released by United on 23 February 2020.
Following the release from Minnesota United, Bentley returned to his native England where on 21 August 2020, he signed withBasildon United of theIsthmian League, the seventh division of English football.[5] Bentley never played a competitive match for them, due to COVID-19, and subsequently left the club.[6] On 25 February 2021, Bentley transferred to fellow Isthmian League side,Hornchurch, where he played with the club until the conclusion of the2020–21 Isthmian League.[6]
Following the conclusion of the Isthmian League season, Bentley returned to the United States for the summer and joinedLionsbridge FC ofUSL League Two, the fourth division of American soccer, for the2021 season. With Lionsbridge, Bentley made 16 appearances, scoring nine goals, and providing three assists.[7] Following the conclusion of the USL League Two season, Bentley returned to his native England to play forDover Athletic of theNational League, where he was announced as a signing on 22 September 2021.[8] With Dover, Bentley made 7 total appearances.[9]
On 26 November 2021, Bentley joinedLeatherhead of theIsthmian League.[10]
Ahead of the2022 USL League One season, Bentley, returned to the United States again, and signed a professional contract with theRichmond Kickers on 16 December 2021.[11] On 2 April 2022, Bentley made his professional debut for the Kickers againstFC Tucson, coming on in the 68th minute forDakota Barnathan. In the 81st minute of the match, Bentley scored his first professional goal, en route to a 4–0 victory.[12]
In March 2024, Bentley's return to England was confirmed as he joinedNational League South clubMaidstone United on a short-term contract until the end of the season.[13] On 1 January 2025, it was confirmed that Bentley had his contract terminated to allow him to return to the United States to take up a university scholarship.[14]
Bentley signed forUSL League One clubChattanooga Red Wolves in February 2025.[15]
Individual