Season 2 brings new challenges for Lions

Soccer franchise, with a foothold in the area now, moves up in class, expands operation.

Mikhail Shelton, 12, of Riverside, gets a seat cushion signed by Mikael Taylor McNamara of the Dayton Dutch Lions during the soccer team's season preview at The Wine Loft at The Greene in Beavercreek. Shelton plays on the Dutch Lions U12 boys team.

Teesha McClam Mikhail Shelton, 12, of Riverside, gets a seat cushion signed by Mikael Taylor McNamara of the Dayton Dutch Lions during the soccer team's season preview at The Wine Loft at The Greene in Beavercreek. Shelton plays on the Dutch Lions U12 boys team.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Photos: Dutch Lions press conference

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By Greg Billing, Staff Writer Updated 12:49 AM Saturday, April 16, 2011

BEAVERCREEK — For the Dayton Dutch Lions professional soccer team, moving up to the USL Pro Division — just one step below Major League Soccer — isn’t the only challenge.

Another?

Fast food.

As players from the Netherlands, the Bahamas and England — as well as those from out of state here in the U.S. — return for the Dutch Lions’ second pro season, they must, among other things, learn their way around the Miami Valley, adjust to a different culture, and for some, find new places to eat.

“We don’t have Steak ’n Shake back in Holland, so the hamburgers and milkshakes got me a little bit overweight,” midfielder Julius Wille said, grinning during a season preview and meet-and-greet event at The Greene on Friday. “I came back to Holland in August for the season a little overweight. I have to watch that this year.”

For the Dutch Lions’ fans — including about 50 decked out in their orange attire who packed The Wine Loft — there’s plenty for them to watch out for, too.

The Lions move up to the USL Pro Division for 2011 after finishing third in the USL Premier Development League last season. Dayton resides in the National Division with FC New York, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh and Rochester.

The season starts at 7:30 tonight with Charleston Battery, the USL-2 defending champions, at Miami Valley South Stadium in Bellbrook. The Lions are calling it “All Things Dutch Night” and game sponsor TypicalDutchStuff.com will offer Dutch food and souvenirs.

As for the soccer? Well, that will be a blend of the Dutch’s tactical play and the Americans’ physicality.

“We’d like to offer an exciting game,” first-year coach Ivar van Dinteren said. “A little bit of the European way of play. Build up from the back and play with the wingers, and with the toughness and the physical mentality of Americans, I hope I can combine them.”

Net gains

As they enter their second season in Dayton, the Dutch Lions continue to be goal-oriented both on and off the field.

Lions co-owners Mike Mossel and Erik Tammer have started a Premier Youth Academy and a women’s team has also been added.

Many of the supporters at The Greene on Friday were kids involved with the academy.

“I always said I wanted to build this large orange family,” Mossel said. “If you look around tonight with all the kids in orange and the parents, it’s exactly what I had in mind. The first year is always the most difficult one. People are skeptical. ... But after a couple of months they start noticing we have something that can help their kids be better players. We’ve really been accepted and embraced.”

Van Dinteren coached the 12-U team to an undefeated season last year, and former player Mikhail Shelton was one of those in attendance Friday. His brother, Alec, played on the U-16 team.

“Positive role models, definitely,” said his mother, Michele, who plans to be an assistant coach for Fairborn High School this fall. “And it’s cool to say, ‘Hey, I know this guy. He used to be my coach.’ Mik can look up to him as the coach of a professional team.”

Dream team

Growing up in Dayton, 2005 Northmont graduate Kyle Segebart could only dream about playing professional soccer. Now he’s living it.

Segebart made the team last season despite breaking his ankle during tryouts. He’s healthy and ready for a second season with the Lions.

“When I was a kid this is where I wanted to be. But yeah, when I was in college I wondered if it was going to happen for me,” said Segebart, who skipped his senior season at Cedarville University to play for the Lions. “If you look at the Columbus Crew roster all the guys graduated from Division I colleges and I went to an NAIA school. An opportunity like this popped up for me and I’m doing my best to take full advantage.”

The goal remains the Crew and the MSL level. But playing in the Pro Division level is the next best thing. Charleston reached the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals in 2010 and Rochester beat Dayton 2-0 in the first round before falling in the Round of 16. Both Charleston and Rochester lost to the Crew.

Dayton’s first two games of the season are against Charleston and Rochester.

“Those are huge clubs that have been around in the U.S. for years at this level,” Segebart said. “For us to come in for our second season ... we’re definitely going to be the underdog. We’re coming in with a lot of youth and building toward the future.”

Limited practice

The Lions have had about three weeks of practice and some players like Wille arrived as late as Sunday night.

That doesn’t dampen the players’ excitement about opening their second season tonight against the defending league champs.

“Back at home preparation for the team is about six weeks. We have little time to get adjusted to each other,” said Wille, who scored three goals and had one assist last season. “The soccer language is universal. We may have to get used to each other for a couple matches. I’m sure in two or three weeks we’ll be right there where we want to be.”

Mossel is optimistic the wins will come. But just as important for him is that the players — and supporters — embrace their cultural differences.

“I always tell the guys this is experience for your life, not just soccer,” said Mossel, who also played in the U.S. “I’m glad to give these guys the chance at the same thing.”

Even if it means stopping off at Steak ’n Shake after the game.