Samba X Player Development
The Next Generation of Soccer Talent in
New Hampshire
Samba X Player Development
The Next Generation of Soccer Talent in
New Hampshire
Head Coach
Chris Pinkham
" Having been born and raised in New Hampshire, I take a lot of pride in having represented my state both Professionally with Austin FC and at the D1 Collegiate level at UNH. Now, my purpose is to create a better and more clear pathway for New Hampshire's next generation of soccer players to fulfill their dreams.
Our state's players have so much untapped potential, and it's time to show them how far they can truly go. I've experienced the dedication and sacrifices required to reach the highest levels of the game over the past decade. Now, it's my mission to impart that knowledge and experience to the Next Generation of Soccer talents in New Hampshire, guiding them toward their aspirations and putting our state firmly on the soccer map. Together, let's elevate New Hampshire's soccer legacy to new heights".
Playing Career
Professional Soccer (MLSNP - Austin FC):
- MLSNP National Champion (Austin FC)
- MLSNP Western Conference Champion (Austin FC)
NCAA College Soccer (UNH):
- 2x NCAA College Cup Sweet 16 (UNH)
- 3x NCAA College Cup Final 32 (UNH)
- 4x America East Tournament Champion (UNH)
- 1st Team All America East (UNH)
- 3 Goals, 12 Assists (UNH)
Youth and Academy Achievements:
- Seacoast United Academy (2015-2017): 14 Goals, 7 Assists
- U-16 US National Team Futsal
- U-15 Futsal National Champion (Samba Black)
- 2x New England Regional Futsal Champion (Samba Black)
Professional Skills Coach
Spencer Nowe
"It is my goal to bring high level soccer training to the community and help young developing players reach their potential. I have created a name for myself by bringing a flare to the game and I believe this is something I can pass down to the younger generation of ballers. I was a coach at the original Samba program for two years and plan to bring my knowledge to the re-launch. Learning the fundamentals of the game is the most crucial aspect. This allows you the confidence to bring your own creativity to the field. I aim to teach my confidence and creativity to everyone I coach.
I started playing with Samba at the end of middle school. Samba played a huge role in the person I became later on in life. It taught me confidence, not only on the ball but as a leader. It taught me work ethic and communication skills. It taught me about dedication. It showed not only me, but everyone who trained there, that if you put in the time and the work you can achieve greatness at anything that you do.
I was always a dedicated player growing up but my skills drastically improved once I started training with Samba. I was taught the technical basics of the game and shown that being creative and confident with the ball is also super important. To this day I still practice the things I was taught so many years ago.
Samba was not only soccer clinic, but a culture. You could always tell who was a Samba kid when they stepped on the field."
Samba Testimonials
Gabi Brummett- Duke University (D1), University of Portland (D1), Seattle Reign Reserves,
Gotham FC Reserves, Futsal National Champion (Samba Black)
"I started attending Samba training when I was around 10 years old, and to this day I firmly believe it was the best thing I could have done for my development not only as a soccer player but also as an individual. On the field, Samba helped cultivate a technical and tactical ability that allowed me to hold my own as I moved onto bigger competition throughout my soccer career. I learned to be a student of the game and have the confidence on the ball to execute what I had learned. Off the field, Samba taught me what it meant to be a good teammate, how to have humility, and how to respect the game and all individuals involved with it. Samba was a perfect platform to grow an innate love and passion for soccer while working hard and taking the sport further than I ever thought I could have."
Alex Nagy- Loudon United USL Championship, Former Captain University of Vermont (D1) NCAA Elite 8 Appearance, NCAA 1st Team All American, Futsal Regional Champion (Samba Black)
“I grew up playing samba until I was 18 years old. Samba helped me master the basics of soccer, and learn the right way to play, which is what a lot of players struggle to find. I still practice the same things to this day as a professional soccer player. I wouldn’t be where I am without it today.”
Caitlyn Keenan- Clube de Albergaria (Portugal), Former Captain at UNH (D1), Futsal National Champion (Samba Black)
“I started playing with Samba in middle school with the summer program, and I continue now as a professional doing off season training. Samba has been fantastic for improving my technical skills and helping me become more confident and creative in my game. Not only that, Samba is a community, bringing together passionate and motivated players from all around NH.”
Taylor Silverstein- Former Captain at Saint Anselm (D2), NH Gatorade Player of The Year, Futsal National Champion (Samba Black)
“I started playing soccer at about 5 years old and fell in love with the game. I became obsessed with becoming as good as I possibly could be at the sport. I was always a smaller player so I knew that I would need elite foot skills to compete with the more physical players as I got older.
Samba showed me the way. Day in and day out samba challenged me with daily tasks to give myself an edge on the competition.
Because of samba I was able to have great success in the high school game and continue my career at the collegiate level. It gave me the confidence to compete with anyone on any pitch.”
Kyle Clements - Former Captain of New England College (D3) & Futsal National Champion (Samba Black)
"Samba training was a huge piece of my development as a player both with my individual skills as well as my ability to adapt to the players around me. The training sessions were very focused on the technical aspects of the game, both in regard to individual ball skills and how to maintain possession and build out of situations as a team. The skill level of the players around me helped push me to improve, and I was able to see the results of the work I was putting in almost immediately. The players and coaches around the program foster a great environment for progression without any pressure on making mistakes and encouraged us to push our limits in every session. It instilled a playing style that is distinct and recognizable, so much so that I feel as though I could pick a Samba player out of a line up just by watching their footwork and comfort on the ball. Beyond just my development as player, Samba gave me connections and friendships I still have today, which I am super grateful for. I wouldn’t have been the same player had I not joined the Samba family when I did."
Allison Silverstein - Captain Saint Anselm (D2)
2nd Team All Conference & Futsal Regional Champion (Samba Black)
"Samba gave me something to look forward to at the end of the school day and throughout the summer. It not only significantly increased my technical abilities, but also gave me friendships with teammates and positive coaching relationships that I remain beyond grateful for. Samba taught me the power of consistency, and without it, I may not be playing at the college level I am today."
Jarrett Davis- Suffolk M Soccer (D3) & Futsal National Champion (Samba Black)
"Samba definitely impacted my life and my soccer trajectory. I met so many incredible people in my years there and the camaraderie throughout the whole system of age groups and teams is something I cherish. The coaches, the players, are friends for life regardless of how often I see them or hear from them. The laughs we had over the stupidest things led to a changed demeanor on the field when we were dawgs out there dominating teams. We did a lot of incredible things with the team that I’ll forever remember.
To get into the soccer aspect of it I learned so much from everyone involved. The players forced me to up my game, the coaches demanded more from me and it only made me a better player. I already had good technical ability, or so I thought, but samba refined that like crazy. Playing in tight spaces is so essential in the game and that’s all we did. I wouldn’t have grown into the player I was (I busted my knee in college) without samba. The best program I’ve ever been a part of. Football is simple but playing simple football is hard, and samba helped me play beautiful simple football (with flair of course)."
Josh Morency- Trinity (D3), Futsal Regional Champion (Samba Black)
"Going to Samba taught me the fundamentals of soccer that helped me stand out immensely on both my club team and high school team. The coaches took extreme care to make sure that each player, including myself, had mastered the fundamentals. From there, we practiced using them in games where we were encouraged to step out of comfort zone. The training I did at Samba directly impacted the success I enjoyed in my outside teams, allowing me to be recruited to a boarding school for high school, and later to play soccer in college. The constant encouragement to learn and motivation to simply enjoy the game led me to creating the best friendships that I still maintain to this day. On top of all that, Samba created teams that competed in national futsal tournaments that also allowed me to work on my craft. I could not recommend Samba any higher, and it has changed the trajectory of my life. As I am now working in finance in New York City, I know I never would’ve gotten to where I am if it wasn’t for soccer, which has been greatly influenced by my Samba training. All in all, Samba has been a transformative experience not only in my soccer skills but also in the relationships I and and the confidence I built while being in the program."
Ronaldo Cabral- Bowdoin (D3) NCAA Elite 8 Appearance, Futsal Regional Champion
(Samba Black)
"I will always attribute much of my development as a soccer player growing up to my experience with Samba. I was lucky enough to experience Samba in many different ways, from their technical skills focused winter training all the way to their Samba Elite summer training program, which aimed to prepare high school students for their upcoming season both technically and physically. Samba instilled in me the crucial technical fundamentals that has allowed me to achieve my goal of playing at the college level. Above all, Samba was an environment in which I was welcomed with open arms and was able to foster relationships that stuck with me all throughout my soccer career."
The Samba Way
Samba X's Vision
Samba X's Vision is to instill players with confidence, creativity, and the motivation to become the best version of themselves no matter what that might look like. Samba X will make you more confident which will unlock a side of your game that you might not have experienced before. You will be more willing to take risks, more creative with the ball and your overall play, and become a leader on and off the field.
Samba X's Purpose
Samba X's purpose is to compliment and enhance a player’s club and school soccer experience. We realize these soccer environments are forced to focus almost exclusively on team concepts and therefore are restricted on time spent in building the individual player. Samba fills that training void and focuses solely on the individual.
Samba X's Training Philosophy
Samba X's Training Philosophy is based on 3 Principals:
"Purpose, Plan, Process", "Repetition, Repetition, Repetition"
and
"The game is the best teacher of all"
Therefore our training is made up of deliberate "1P1B" (One-Player One-Ball) skill work, and fast paced small-sided games.
All of our players will find a purpose, make a plan, and stay true to their processes when it comes to goal setting. This elevates the training environment to a very high level. Each and every player will have goals in mind and the motivation & drive to work towards these goals each and every session.
Samba X's Training Environment
Samba X's training environment is challenging and encouraging. Athletes are empowered to take risks, and be creative. Samba X Players train in a "Mistake Free Environment" where players are free to make all the mistakes as they want in order to grow and improve. This is all part of their process as players learn how to be risk takers and play makers.
