DAYTON, Ohio – The Dayton Dutch Lions will hit the road this weekend to face the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Saturday, May 18 at 7:00 PM. In just their second road trip of the young USL PRO season, the Dutch Lions will be making their first visit to Highmark Stadium, the newly constructed home to the Riverhounds.

The Riverhounds were Dayton’s opponent in the Dutch Lions’ home opener. Despite playing the majority of the game with a man disadvantage as the result of a red card, the Dutch Lions pulled out a dramatic 2-1 win.

The victory was earned on the strength of disciplined, team defense and choosing the appropriate times to push the offensive attack. A similar effort will be required for the Dutch Lions to sweep the season series with the Riverhounds, who are undefeated in their last four competitions.

Dayton is currently enjoying its strongest start to a season since joining USL PRO. Their record of 3 wins and two losses currently has them in the eighth and final playoff spot. The Riverhounds are just three points back of the Dutch Lions, so there is a sense of urgency about this game.

Those unable to make the trip to Pittsburgh can join members of the Oranje Legion at the Dublin Pub to watch the game with fellow fans. The game can also be viewed online at www.uslnation.com.

The game schedule is as follows:

Saturday, May 18

Game #1, 3:00 PM: Dayton Dutch Lions FC vs. Cincinnati Lady Saints

Game #2, 5:00 PM: Ohio Galaxies FC vs. Toronto Lady Lynx

Sunday, May 19

Game #3, 10:00 AM: Losers of the first two games will meet.

Championship: 12:00 PM: Winners of the first two games will meet.

Sid van Druenen, Head Coach of the Dayton Dutch Lions W-League team, has assembled a roster full of young, talented players. The team hopes to use the tournament to prepare for the rigorous W-League schedule that lies ahead.

Tickets for the Dayton Dutch Lions Women’s Cup can be obtained through www.ticketfly.com.

Dutch Lions’ 3-0 Victory over Louisville’s River City Rovers in historic tournament

Dayton Dutch Lions News Release — www.dutchlionsfc.com

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

BEAVERCREEK, OH….Strong possession against the River City Rovers produced a win for the Dayton Dutch Lions in their opening match of the 100^th edition of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, one of the oldest national cup competitions in United States soccer.   The Dutch Lions rolled hard over the River City Rovers of Louisville, Kentucky’s first Premier Development League (PDL) soccer team, winning the match 3-0.

The Dutch Lions drew first blood early with an opportunistic Irakli Khutsidze goal in the 9^th minute on a botched clearance by River City defense. The Rovers’ Goalkeeper, Taylor Hafling, endured significant and continual pressure as the Dutch Lions relentlessly pounded the ball at him and kept the success rate low for the Dutch Lions with a hungry Dutch Lions defense on the prowl most of the first half.  Both defensive backs, Shane Smith and Gregory Preciado, traded shot attempts throughout the first half and managed to slow the rhythm when they returned to the Dutch Lions’ side of the pitch, frustrating the River City Rovers. River City’s Lindokuhle Mfeka took advantage of an onrushing Lwandiso Gonya who one-timed a dipping ball on target, but the Dutch Lions’ Keeper Matt Williams had an easy save for one of the few Rover City attempts.  Dutch Lions’ Joey Madigan crept up the top with the help of an Eric Kissinger assist and the 26^th minute yielded another goal for the Dutch Lions, who left the field at the half 2-0.

The tempo of the game was decidedly sluggish for the Dutch Lions when the teams took the field for the second half of play.  River City seized on the reduction in energy and came out strong.  However, the change of pace couldn’t stop a third Dutch Lions goal in the 47^th minute, smoked in by Tjeerd Westdijk, and the Dutch Lions increased their lead to 3-0. Corner kicks dominated the second half for the Rovers, with one possibility in the 55^th minute by Dean Abdehou that was subsequently tapped away by Williams.  Rover City kept the pressure on and another 59^th minute corner kick found the head of Richard Ballard but Dutch Lions’ Preciado was ready with a quick flick and the ball stayed far from the goal.

At this point, Dutch Lions Coach Patrick Bal went to his bench to change things up. In his 2013 debut, Nago MBengue was substituted in for Gibson Bardsley, and new energy was infused into the game.  In a full sprint up the top of the penalty area, Westdijk took a beautiful shot which was punched out to left by the River City Goalkeeper, Hafling, and a hungry MBengue took the chance for another nice Dutch Lions attempt that was thwarted by an electric save by Hafling once again.  The continued River City pressure was in vain, however, and the Dutch Lions finished the match with the 3-0 Victory.

Coach Bal, while pleased with the win, was visibly disappointed in the second half performance of his team.  “In a game like this you have to be continually creative.  If you start thinking everything is easy then you have one corner kick, three corner kicks, five corner kicks and suddenly you see a change in the game with a team who could be very hungry.  We cannot play like this and expect to keep winning.”

The Dayton Dutch Lions will move forward in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with another home game in Beavercreek on May 21 against the Dearborn Stars of the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA).  This year the U.S. Open Cup drew 68 teams, the largest field in the modern era for the tournament which dates back to 1914.  It is among the oldest in the world and includes teams from the MLS, USL Pro, PDL, USASA, and other leagues, with a significant increase in prize money as a draw.

Dayton hits the road to Pittsburgh for a league rematch against the Riverhounds (1-4-3) at Pittsburgh’s Highmark Stadium on Saturday, May 18^th.  After the tournament game on the 21^st, Dayton’s next league home game is Sunday, May 26^th, at 6:30 pm, again at the Miami Valley Hospital Stadium in Beavercreek.  The Dutch Lions face Antigua’s Barracuda FC (0-6-0).

The DDL goals in the game against Phoenix can be viewed here

President Mike Mossel commented on the Clinic: “it is great to give the local soccer community in Dayton a chance to learn from the best. Not just players (like Dutch National Player Bryan Roy last year) but also the best coaches. Besides the Soccer Clinic for kids, their visit to Dayton (and Houston) will also give us a chance to discuss our current academy set up as far as organization and coaching philosophy with all our staff so our players can benefit from this the coming year(s). We will also offer local coaches a Coaches Clinic on May 27 in the morning (9am-12.30pm) and hope to see a lot of people attend to also built our relationship with other clubs, coaches and players in the region.”

People can Register here for the FC Twente Dutch Lions FC Soccer Clinic 

Dayton, May 12 2013 – Coming off a big win against Phoenix Wolves last night the Dayton Dutch Lions FC is already preparing for another big match on Tuesday against the River City Rovers, a PDL team from Louisville (Kentucky). The team was founded in 2012 and is already making it’s debut in the US Open Cup after finishing 3rd in the Great Lakes Conference in 2012 with 23 points in 16 games behind powerhouse Michigan Bucks and 2012 PDL Champions Forest City London.

The Lions are looking to built off their strong start in the 2013 season winning 3 out the first 5 games. But besides that they are hungry to make another run like last year beating Chicago Fire reserves (1-2) and the Michigan Bucks (1-2) and upsetting the Columbus Crew (1-2) in their stadium before losing to Sporting Kansas City in the Quarter Finals in front of 14.000.

President Mike Mossel replied on the importance of the US Open Cup: “last years success brought the club not only (local and national) recognition as a club but also a burst of energy with our players, staff, sponsors and all academy players and parents traveling all over the country to support our guys. It made people proud to be a Lion. We like to create that same feeling again this Tuesday with hopefully all our fans coming out to support the team together with the Orange Legion, the supporters group that has been great the first few games.”

A win would mean that the Lions face the winner of Michigan Bucks and Dearborn Stars on Tuesday May 21.

Tickets can be purchased at the gate at Beavercreek High School Stadium or online.

Date: May 9, 2013

Result: W 3-0

Player of the Game: Elana

Game Summary:

The Lions played outstanding this game. They looked to pass the ball frequently and were quite efficient at moving the ball around. They passed out of the back very well, finding midfielders or the striker on many occasions. They were even able to build up from the goalie several times, opening up the field and causing the other team to over-reach on defense, creating gaps that allowed the midfielders to check into space. Coach Eric thought that “this was one of our better overall games from start to finish. We didn’t give up many chances, we created opportunities for ourselves both as a team and individually, and we played some very solid defense all over the field.”

When they were on the attack, the girls did an excellent job of picking their heads up and looking to find an open teammate. The Lions did not wait for the pass to be made this game, they did a good job anticipating what was going to happen and find the space or spot where they needed to be. Defensively they covered for each other, they tracked their marks through the midfield, and did a good job of communicating to each other. The transition from offense to defense and vice versa was smooth on most occasions, with little hesitation between losing the ball and getting back, or winning the ball and pushing forward. The combination of good transition and good passing meant that the Lions were able to make the other team run a lot and become a little disorganized defensively. Coach Eric said “we played a really good game. If we can continue to produce this quality of play for the rest of the season I think we’ll see more results like this one.”

Game: DDL FC U12 Girls vs. Tecumseh Arrows Red

Date: May 10, 2013

Result: W 5-4

Player of the Game: Kaylee

Game Summary:

This was a very back and forth game played in inclement weather that created some tough conditions for both sides to deal with. The skies opened up in the second half, causing the already wet field to become soaked and the playing surface to become a lot slicker. The Lions went up 2-0 early, then went down 3-2, took back the lead 5-3, and gave up one final goal to win 5-4. Avenging their only defeat of the season thus far, the girls used five different players to score all five of their goals, a first for the season. Coach Eric was extremely proud of the girls, and said that “we really persevered. After the thrill of going up 2-0 was washed away by conceding three straight goals, we could have just folded and given up. Instead we chose to fight back and did a fantastic job of continuing to press forward until we scored and took back the lead.”

The Lions were able to score in a myriad of different ways this game including a free kick, directly off a corner kick, and a one-time finish off of a cross. The girls were able to move as a unit consistently throughout the game, giving each other options off the ball on offense and providing cover on defense. The wet conditions meant that several balls skipped past the girls at the beginning of the game, but they made the necessary adjustments to correct for it. Defensively the girls applies constant pressure for the duration of the game, never giving the other team time to rest and relax on the ball. Coach Eric thought that “although we gave up a few goals that could have been avoided, we got the win in the end, and that’s what counts. We played a complete game, playing hard for the full 60 minutes to get the result that we wanted. I’m glad that we kept the lead; the girls deserved this one.”

Dayton, May 11 2013 – Joel DeLass and Eli Garner scored two goals apiece as the Dayton Dutch Lions withstood a strong comeback by Phoenix FC to take a 4-3 victory at a cold and rainy Beavercreek Stadium on Saturday night.

Phoenix took an early lead in the sixth minute as a close-range effort by Thomas Ramos hit the underside of the crossbar and dropped over the goal line.

The Dutch Lions came close to an equalizer as a volley went just over the crossbar in the 13^th minute, but they were able to get back on even terms in the 18^th minute as an angled pass by Shintaro Harada found Joel DeLass in space on the left, and the midfielder shot low into the right corner of the net.

The game remained open at both ends, Phoenix forcing a good save from Matt Williams to tip an effort over the crossbar. Wolves goalkeeper Andrew Weber also had to be sharp, making a good save from Brandon Swartzendruber in the 26^th minute. Dayton took the lead in the final minute of the first half, with Gibson Bardsley getting a return pass from a throw-in on the left before cutting into the penalty area and shooting into the right corner of the net. Bardsley then added a second three minutes into the second half, latching onto a great pass by Eli Garner before shooting low into the left corner from the right side of the penalty area.

Dayton appeared to have put the game away with 13 minutes to play after the Dutch Lions were awarded a penalty for a foul in the penalty area that DeLass shot low into the left side of the net to make it 4-1. Phoenix hit back immediately, however, Aaron King driving home a fierce finish from 12 yards for his second goal in as many games two minutes later. The Wolves then pulled within a goal a minute later, Peabo Doue heading home from a corner with 10 minutes to go. Phoenix thought it had tied the game off a free kick three minutes later, only for the assistant referee’s flag to be raised for offside. The Lions were able to hold on to the lead making them jump over Phoenix in the standings with 9 points in 5 games.

Dayton Dutch Lions Coach Patrick Bal was visibly shaken at the final:  “A couple of crazy minutes and then the goal fell and I expected the worst.”  When asked about the game, Bal said, “I like the way it was played.  It was hard and it was fair. There were no crazy tackles.”  Bal continued, “Both teams knew what they were playing for.  It was a huge win towards making the playoffs.”

League play is suspended when, on Tuesday May 14^th, Dayton plays in the US Open Cup against Louisville’s River City Rovers at 7:00 pm in the Miami Valley Hospital Stadium in Beavercreek. Dayton then travels to Pittsburgh for a league rematch against the Riverhounds (1-4-3) at Pittsburgh’s Highmark Stadium on Saturday, May 18^th.  Dayton’s next home game is Sunday, May 26^th, at 6:30 pm, again at the Miami Valley Hospital Stadium in Beavercreek.  The Dutch Lions face Antigua’s Barracuda FC (0-6 -0).

Line up Dayton Dutch Lions FC

Williams, Lord, Presciado, Granger, Smith, DeLass (C), Harada, Khutsidze, Bardsley (Kissinger), Schwartzendruber (Westdijk), Garner (Broekhuizen)