Dayton Dutch Lions Roster
Forwards: Michael Frasca, Connor Guilmor, Tommy Harr, Nduka Kemjika, Kennedy Nwabia, Patrick Philippart, Caspar Nolte, Anwar Tuithof,
Midfielders: Sam DeRoy, Christian Kershaw, Mees Linders, John Schwien, Mark Werts
Defenders: Michael Brezovsky, Jake Cousin, Daan de Blank, Lewis Dunne, Joseph Furry, Mateus Gama, Eric Lynch, Paul Messerly, Colton Oord, Bradley Schluter
Goalkeepers: Nathan Jones, Paulo Pinto, Will Lukowski
Dayton Dutch Lions FC Home Schedule
At Dayton Outpatient Center Stadium at Dayton Dutch Lions FC Soccer Complex at West Carrollton High School
May 21, 7:30 p.m. Cincinnati Dutch Lions
May 27, 7:30 p.m. K-W United FC
June 3, 7:30 p.m. Michigan Bucks
June 22, 7:30 p.m. Pittsburg U23
June 25, 7:30 p.m. TFC Academy
July 6, 7:30 p.m. Derby City
July 9, 7:30 p.m. Kokomo Mantis
Dayton Dutch Lions FC Women’s Home Schedule
May 22, 2 p.m. Fire & Ice Soccer Club
June 11, 7 p.m. Columbus Eagles
June 24, 7 p.m. Cincinnati Sirens
July 9, 5 p.m. FC Pride
Ticket Information
• Flex Ticket (any 4 games men or women): $20
• Orange Family Four Pack (2 adults/2 youth with meal, men’s or women’s game): $20
• Orange Family Season Ticket (11 games with meals, 10 percent merchandise discount): $65
• Women’s team season ticket (4 games): $24
• Individual game tickets: $5 children (12 and under); $8 adults
Information: www.ddlfc.com
The Dayton Dutch Lions FC look to combine the best of both worlds or, in this case, the best of both games.
“We play a Dutch style, possession style game,” head coach Sid van Druenen said. “We play with a lot of discipline and a controlled tactical style, but we don’t avoid physicality – American soccer is very physical.”
With 14 American players and 12 international players on the Dayton Dutch Lions squad this season, the USL Premier Development League team strives to blend many styles into one winning program. The Dutch Lions – a Miami Valley mainstay since 2009 – open their season at 7:30 p.m. Saturday against the Cincinnati Dutch Lions at the Dayton Dutch Lions FC Soccer Complex at West Carrollton High School.
Finding balance
“We are always trying to find balance and get our international players and American players on the same page,” van Druenen said.
While the roster has only recently been finalized, the work started months ago as the coaching staff spends much of the fall looking at talented local college players.
“We look for specific types of players, those whose playing style is something we can work with,” van Druenen said.
The time crunch begins in the late spring when college players are released to play and the international players arrive on their 90-day visas.
“We end up with about one week to get ready for our home opener,” van Druenen said. “It’s challenging, for sure, but I absolutely love this club.”
College connection
Several local college players were tapped by van Druenen and his staff to suit up for the Dutch Lions.
Forwards Tommy Harr and Kennedy Nwabia and defender Michael Brezovsky of the University of Dayton will play alongside Wright State goalkeeper Will Lukowski and Raiders midfielders Sam DeRoy and Eric Lynch. Cedarville goalkeeper Paul Pinto, defenders Bradley Schluter and Paul Messerly, midfielder John Schwien and forward Connor Guilmor have signed with the Dutch Lions as have Urbana goalkeeper Nathan Jones and midfielder Lewis Dunne.
International talent
As might be expected, the largest percentage of international players on the roster are Dutch – with five players from the Netherlands here this season. Other players hail from Brazil, Wales, England, Scotland, Portugal and Nigeria.
While they share a passion for soccer, their individual goals may vary.
“They are all here with their own agenda,” van Druenen said. “Some want to play professionally, others want to play in college and some just want the opportunity to travel.”
For now, however, they all want to post a win for the Dayton Dutch Lions FC.
• Women's team: The Dayton Dutch Lions women's team also opens the season this weekend with a 2 p.m. home match Sunday against the Fire & Ice Soccer Club. The Dutch Lions compete in the Women's Premier Soccer League, a competitive league with more than 100 teams nationwide.
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