Local soccer squad eager for chance to slay the Crew

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By David DiCenzo, Contributing Writer Updated 2:43 AM Thursday, June 17, 2010

BELLBROOK — Soccer history is rife with upsets. As fans watch the 32 national sides playing in the World Cup in South Africa, analysts make numerous references to the American side of part-time players who slayed the giant England squad 1-0 in the 1950 tournament.

Minnows have certainly had their day on the pitch. And the Dayton Dutch Lions are hoping they can produce a shocking result when they meet the Columbus Crew.

“We have nothing to lose,” DDL FC coach Sonny Silooy said of the upcoming exhibition match Saturday, June 19, with the Crew, who play three levels higher than the Lions. “The boys are excited, especially the younger ones. It will be a great test against such a quality side.”

While it may not be the most critical match on DDL’s schedule in this inaugural Premier Development League season, Silooy and the players understand the significance.

“It’s a massive game,” said DDL midfielder Andrew Giallombardo. “It’s the Battle of Ohio. We want to have a good showing, and we want to put the Dayton Dutch Lions on the map.”

Giallombardo, a 21-year-old from Newark, N.J., who has played with Southampton FC in England and for the under-20 USA squad, said it will also be good for DDL’s Dutch contingent to see the level of MLS players. Columbus has been a powerhouse this season and enters the match tied at the top of the league’s Eastern Conference with a 6-2-3 record.

Breaking down the Crew will be a challenge but the Lions learned a valuable lesson in dropping the franchise's first Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match 2-0 to the Rochester Rhinos on Tuesday — they are better attacking.

“Offense is the best defense,” Silooy said from the road Wednesday as he prepared the Lions for a PDL meeting with the Cleveland Internationals tonight.

DDL was on the back foot early, going down two goals to the Rhinos in the first half. But in the second, the visitors began to play their trademark brand of flowing football, which gave Rochester trouble.

Silooy wants the same approach against Columbus, knowing that full pressure up field will give his side its best opportunity to take down Goliath.

Dutch Lions develop Bellbrook partnership

DDL has quickly made an impact on the local soccer community. The Bellbrook Soccer Association is the latest beneficiary.

Lions management recently agreed to assist the BSA with developing its program by providing Bellbrook coaches with sessions by both Silooy and FC Twente personnel. Local players will also receive discounts to both DDL FC matches and upcoming summer camps.

“Bellbrook Soccer Association is really excited about partnering with a high quality professional organization like the Dayton Dutch Lions,” Stewart Phillips of the BSA said.

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