Jerry Bengtson

Jerry Ricardo Bengtson Bodden (born 8 April 1987) is a Honduran professional footballer who plays as a striker for Liga Nacional club Olancho FC.

Club career

Vida On 12 August 2007, Bengtson made his official debut for C.D.S. Vida against Olimpia. He scored his first goal against Real España on 30 September 2007 in the 1–1 tie in San Pedro Sula. During his stay at Vida he scored 32 goals.

Motagua On 26 November 2010, F.C. Motagua reached an agreement with Vida, for the acquisition of Bengtson, signing a three-year contract. He scored his first goal with Motagua on 30 January 2011 in the 1–0 win over C.D. Marathón.

On 8 May 2011, Bengtson scored his 13th goal of the Clausura Tournament in the first leg of the final against Olimpia. This goal put him in first place among the league's top scorers and enabled him to become the first Honduran-born player to achieve the feat in three consecutive tournaments after winning the previous two with C.D. Vida. He would go on to score two more goals in the second leg to solidify his title as the league's top scorer.

In the early part of 2012, Jerry suffered his worst goal drought in his career in Honduras, scoring only 2 goals in 18 games. With the forthcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification, the lack of goals concerned the Honduran people. This was because of Jerry's role as main goalscorer in the Honduras National Football Team, due to Carlo Costly being a free agent making him unreliable.

New England Revolution

Bengtson was officially unveiled by New England as a Designated Player on 5 July 2012. He was the second Designated Player signing in the club's history, following the prior season's acquisition of Milton Caraglio, He was also the third Honduran player to suit up for the Revolution, following Álex Pineda Chacón and Mauricio Castro.

Bengtson made his Revolution debut on 8 July 2012, as a 60th minute substitute for Blake Brettschneider. Upon returning from the Olympics (in which he performed well, scoring three goals in four games) Bengtson made his first start on 12 August, in the Revolution's 1-0 loss to the Montreal Impact. In his first season with the Revolution, Bengtson made 13 appearances, scoring 2 goals.

Bengtson made 16 appearances during the 2013 New England Revolution season, scoring one goal, the game-winner in the season opener over the Chicago Fire on 9 March, 2013.

Bengtson made only 7 appearances for his club during the 2014 New England Revolution season, again scoring only one goal, on 12 April in the Revolution's 2-0 win over the Houston Dynamo. On 25 July 2014, he joined Argentine Primera División side Belgrano on a one-year loan.

Despite thriving at the international level during his New England tenure, and ultimately starting only 23 total matches and recording only four goals across three seasons. His goal against Houston proved to be Bengtson's final contribution to the Revolution, as on 16 June 2015, the Revolution agreed to mutually part ways with Bengtson, who was at the time still on loan to Belgrano.

Persepolis

Bengtson signed a one-year contract with Persepolis on 29 July 2015. He made his debut in the final 20 minutes of Persepolis' match against Sepahan. He scored his first goal for Persepolis on 25 September 2015 against Tractor Sazi. He scored Persepolis' only goal in a 1–1 draw against important rivals Esteghlal in the Tehran derby in stoppage time of second half.

Bengtson scored a brace on 22 April 2016, in a 2–0 victory against Esteghlal Ahvaz which kept Persepolis at the top of the table. Persepolis finished the season tied at the top of the table with Esteghlal, losing the title on goal difference.

Zob Ahan Bengtson signed with Persian Gulf Pro League side Zob Ahan in July 2016, on a one-year contract.

Saprissa On 31 May 2017, Bengston signed for Costa Rican club Saprissa, on a one-year contract. He had a controversial start to his career, getting suspended for a total of 6 games, for diving and insulting a referee.

He left Saprissa at the end of season, after beating Herediano in the final.

Olimpia On 6 June 2018, Bengtson returned to Honduras joining Olimpia. In December 2021, Bengston scored the only goal in a 1–0 win against Real España, that crowned Olimpia as champions of the 2021 Apertura.

International career

Bengtson made his debut for Honduras national team an April 2010 friendly match against Venezuela. He represented the nation at the 2012 London Olympics, the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2011, 2021 and 2023.

Career statistics International

Scores and results list Honduras' goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Bengtson goal.

Honours Motagua Liga Nacional: 2011 Clausura

Zob Ahan Iranian Super Cup: 2016

Saprissa Liga FPD: 2018 Clausura

Olimpia Liga Nacional: 2021 Clausura, 2019 Apertura, 2020 Apertura, 2021 Clausura, 2021 Apertura, 2022 Apertura, 2023 Clausura, 2023 Apertura, 2024 Clausura CONCACAF League: 2022 CONCACAF League

Individual Top goalscorers of Liga Nacional de Honduras (8): 2009–10 Clausura, 2010–11 Apertura, 2010–11 Clausura, 2018 Apertura, 2020 Apertura, 2021 Clausura, 2021 Apertura, 2023 Clausura