5 things to know about the Dayton Dynamo

Dayton’s Corey Whisenhut makes a save during the Dynamo’s Blue vs. White exhibition match last month. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Dayton’s Corey Whisenhut makes a save during the Dynamo’s Blue vs. White exhibition match last month. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO


Dayton Dynamo Home Schedule

At Welcome Stadium unless otherwise noted

May 13, 7 p.m., Lansing

May 15, 2 p.m., Detroit City FC

May 22, 2 p.m.,  Fort Wayne Sports Club

June 3, 7 p.m., Kalamazoo FC

June 10, 7 p.m., Knoxville Force

June 12, 2 p.m., Ann Arbor FC

June 19, 2 p.m., Grand Rapids FC

June 23, 7 p.m., Crew U23’s

July 8, 7 p.m., Michigan Stars

July 10, 2 p.m., Chicago Mustangs (at Wright State)

Tickets

General Admission: $10 adults and children 5 and older

Student tickets: $5 with student ID

Groups: 10-15: $9; 16 or more: $8

Information: www.daytondynamo.com/

Maybe you've heard the Dayton Dynamo is back in town. Or maybe you're a little confused -- what exactly is the Dayton Dynamo?

Here are five quick things to know to get you up to speed.

1.) They're back: If the Dynamo name has a familiar ring to it, there's a good reason. While this is a new team in a different league, the name has history in the Miami Valley as the previous incarnation of the Dynamo played indoor soccer in Dayton from 1988-1995 before the National Professional Soccer League franchise moved and became the Cincinnati Silverbacks.

In November 2015, the Cincinnati Saints announced their plans to move the club to Dayton. The rebranding was completed on December 3, when the club officially became the Dayton Dynamo. Building on Dayton’s soccer roots, this Dynamo squad has designed throwback jerseys and t-shirts.

2.) Home sweet home for now: The Dynamo will play their inaugural 2016 season at Welcome Stadium (1601 S. Edwin C Moses Blvd., right next to the UD Arena), but will move to Chaminade Julienne's Roger Glass Stadium – which will seat about 2,150 – in 2017.

3.) Familiar faces: The Dynamo lineup includes several former local high school and collegiate players. Midfielders Christian Myton (Chaminade Julienne) and Alex Vandersluijs (Carroll) and goalkeeper Corey Whisenhunt (Fairmont) all came up through the local high school ranks.

Forward Maik Schoonderwoerd and defender Michael Deyhle played for the University of Dayton while Vandersluijs and Whisenhunt suited up for Wright State. Raiders freshman midfielder Eric Hutton started all 21 matches for Wright State last season and earned a spot on the Horizon League All-Freshman Team.

4.) League play: The Dynamo compete in the National Premier Soccer League, the largest national soccer league in the U.S. Soccer development pyramid – with more than 80 teams nationwide. The Dynamo play in the NPSL Great Lakes West division with Lansing United, Detroit City FC, Kalamazoo FC, AFC Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids FC, and the Michigan Stars.

5.) Game time: The Dynamo host their home opener Friday at 7 p.m. at Welcome Stadium against division foe Lansing United and will be back on their home field for a matinee matchup against Detroit City FC on Sunday at 2 p.m. General admission tickets are $10. For information, visit www.daytondynamo.com/.

Read more: Dayton Dynamo to host first match since 1995

About the Author