Cincinnati Dutch Lions FC News Release -- www.cincinnatidutchlionsfc.com
Thursday, July 10, 2014
CINCINNATI – After a 3-0 win against the Carolina Dynamo in their final home game of the regular season in front of more than 500 fans, the Cincinnati Dutch Lions FC (6-2-3, 21 points) travel south this weekend to play the West Virginia Chaos (6-3-3, 21 points) on Friday and the Dynamo (5-5-1, 16 points) on Saturday.
Should the Dutch Lions win both games, they would clinch the South Atlantic Division title, and a place in the postseason. The big game of the weekend is on Friday when the Dutch Lions play the Chaos at Schoenbaum Field. The two teams enter the contest level on points, and with both sides having taken victory in the previous two meetings this season, the winner on Friday night would hold the head-to-head tiebreaker should they end the season even in the standings.
“I am very much looking forward to what could be called a “decider” on Friday, because the decision of this game will likely provide the division's winning team," Head Coach Terry Nicholl said. "We finished our last game on a high note and we need to find the same effective performances from everyone. We looked good going forward and tight at the back. Energy and enthusiasm will be needed in these tough back-to-back games helping us to power past our opponents."
Cincinnati has been led this season by Jeff McClure, who has six goals, while three other players -- Jordan Grant, Chris Harmon and Rowin van Zaanen -- have each scored four goals apiece. Only the winner of the South Atlantic Division advances to the playoffs, which means the Dutch Lions and Chaos will both be focused on earning all three points.
Saturday's game against Carolina will likely also prove important in the playoff race, with the Dynamo still mathematically alive to return to the playoffs. Carolina needs to win all three of its remaining games, meaning the Dutch Lions would eliminate them from contention with victory at Macpherson Stadium.
Following this weekend's pair of games, the Dutch Lions will travel to Louisville for their last regular season game against the River City Rovers on Saturday, July 19.