USL Feature
Monday, March 21, 2011
DAYTON DUTCH LIONS
Coach: Ivar van Dinteren
2010 Season: Third, Great Lakes Division, USL Premier Development League
The Lowdown – The Dutch Lions make the jump from the USL Premier Development League into the professional ranks aiming to build on the success the club found last year. A first-year PDL team, Dayton missed out on a place in the PDL playoffs by six points a season ago and reached the first round of the U.S. Open Cup through PDL qualifying before falling 2-0 to new National Division rival the Rochester Rhinos.
The club has now added an experienced staff to lead it in its first professional season, including Technical Director Cor van Hoeven, a former assistant coach with Eredivisie club Sparta Rotterdam and Finnish First Division team Jokerit. The partnership with Eredivisie club FC Twente will also be invaluable as the club continues to grow.
Key Returnees – While the team is making the move into the professional ranks and building a squad accordingly, a few members of the club’s PDL team are making the move up as well. Included in these are Julius Wille, who developed in the FC Twente youth system, and Brett Jones, who played for the Cincinnati Kings when they were part of USL-2 and also the Columbus Crew reserves.
Key Additions – While the squad is still in the process of being built, there are already some interesting players who will join the squad this season. 2010 PDL Defender of the Year Joe Tait makes the move into the professional ranks after an outstanding season for the Baton Rouge Capitals last year, and he should be joined in the Dutch Lions’ defense by Bahamian international Happy Hall.
The Coach’s Opinion – “The goal is to play attractive soccer which is different than the American way of playing. Besides that we would like to interest the community with our technical and tactical style, with good results, of course.” – Coach Ivar van Dinteren
If it all goes to plan – The Dutch Lions might not contend for the division title immediately, but don’t rule the possibility of the team making the playoffs in its first season. While it will face a strong test from established clubs such as the Rochester Rhinos, Harrisburg City Islanders and Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Dayton could spring a few surprises as the season develops.