PDL News Release
Monday, September 16, 2013
TAMPA, Fla. – The PDL is pleased to announce the addition of Cincinnati Dutch Lions FC for the 2014 season. The club will be operated by Dutch Lions FC, which includes the Dayton Dutch Lions of USL PRO and the W-League, and the Houston Dutch Lions of the PDL.
The Cincinnati Dutch Lions will consist of top college players and several Dutch players, and have a close partnership with the USL PRO team in Dayton.
“Starting Cincinnati Dutch Lions FC feels like coming home,” said Mike Mossel President of the Dutch Lions Capital Group BV and Dayton Dutch Lions FC. “When Erik [Tammer] and I wanted to start a professional soccer club in the U.S. back in 2009, Cincinnati was our first choice since I went to Xavier University and played as a professional in USL in this market. Back then I already saw the potential and need for a high-level soccer team and professionally run organization.
“I can’t wait to go back to my old school, Xavier University, and offer the local soccer community a high level of soccer and get people excited.”
The Cincinnati Dutch Lions will compete in the Central Conference in 2014, playing a 14-game schedule at Xavier University’s Corcoran Field. The Cincinnati Kings participated in the PDL from 2005-12.
“We’re obviously excited about having a PDL club back in a great soccer market such as Cincinnati, and having the team be another extension of Dutch Lions FC only adds to our enthusiasm,” USL President Tim Holt said. “Mike Mossel and Dutch Lions FC run a first-class operation and produce competitive teams on the field, and we expect nothing less in Cincinnati.”
The PDL has been the destination league for young college players to continue their development toward the professional ranks, with clubs from across North America not only competing for a championship each summer, but also providing the opportunity for top-level competition for the best players in the college ranks.
More than 150 former PDL players have been selected in the MLS SuperDraft in the past five seasons, including each of the past two No. 1 picks – Andrew Wenger (Carolina Dynamo) in 2012, and Andrew Farrell (River City Rovers) in 2013.
In addition to the MLS SuperDraft, a number of former PDL alumni have also been signed to Home Grown Player contracts by MLS clubs, with those such as the Los Angeles Galaxy’s Gyasi Zardes (Ventura County Fusion), New England Revolution’s Scott Caldwell (Michigan Bucks), FC Dallas’ London Woodberry (Baltimore Bohemians) and the Seattle Sounders FC’s DeAndre Yedlin (Sounders FC U23) all continuing their development in the PDL after leaving their MLS club’s academy to play college soccer.