Soccer: Dynamo CEO energized by inaugural season

The foundation is in place for the Dayton Dynamo.

“This season allowed us to build a base that, now, we have an entire year to build up other revenue streams, properly stock merchandise, recruit more high-level players, advertise properly, add additional sponsors and season-ticket holders,” Dynamo President and CEO David Satterwhite said. “I literally made everyone start on this last week as I want our 2017 season to be something special.”

Satterwhite was pleased with the inaugural season of his National Premier Soccer League entry. Dayton went 1-10-1 in the league play and 3-12-3 overall, including friendlies. University of Dayton graduate Maik Schoonderwoerd led the Dynamo with three league goals and had six overall.

“We knew it was going to be a transition year as our players from Cincinnati were getting older and the players we had from Dayton were very talented but inexperienced at this level and it showed in many matches where we had mental lapses for 10-minute spells that dug us holes we couldn’t get out of,” Satterwhite said. “ We have already strengthened our squad with a few new players coming in.”

The Dynamo next season move into their official home, Chaminade Julienne High School’s Roger Glass Stadium. Fans will be closer to the action and have different seating options and ticket prices to choose from. Beer sales will be allowed and additional Friday and Saturday night games will replace some of the Sunday matinees. Pre-match youth clinics and tailgate parties will make game day more of an event.

“We are really hoping to make it fun for everyone from all walks of life,” Satterwhite said.

Dutch Lions improved

While the Dayton Dutch Lions FC are not newcomers, the USL Premier Development League squad is still a work in progress.

“We made a huge improvement, compared with last season,” General Manager Koen Driessen said. “The combination of local talent and some internationals with a lot of experience resulted in a strong season. Unfortunately we couldn’t be consistent.”

The Dutch Lions finished 4-5-5 in the Great Lakes Division. Wright State senior Eric Lynch led the team in scoring with six goals and six assists.

“Our focus is to build and maintain excellent relationships with the universities and high schools,” Driessen said. “The final goal is to turn a relationship into a strong partnership. The long-term goal is to have both the men’s and women’s teams qualify for the playoffs or even go for the title.”

After much positive feedback this season, the Dutch Lions plan to have a theme for every home game next season. Events this year ranged from Academy Awards to Military Appreciation night.

DDL women still playing

The Dayton Dutch Lions women’s team, which clinched the Valley Conference with a 6-1-1 record, are Chicago-bound for the Central Region playoffs. Dayton faces the host Chicago Red Star Reserves on Saturday at 2 p.m. The Michigan Chill and FC Dallas play at 4:30 p.m. Winners advance to the regional final Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

The Red Star Reserves are the defending WPSL champions and won the Heartland Conference with a 7-0-1 record.

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