Orange Legionnaire

Action from the try outs (left picture) as Dutch Lion owners Erik Tammer and Mike Mossel look on with Caretaker manager Ivar van Dinteren (seated).

11/26/2010: Top Talent in Burgzorg, Kobussen, & Copier Try Out For Dutch Lions

A year to get their name out to players, a jump up two divisions, and the news of an adventure to America that may end up with a contract offer from MLS (as former Dutch Lions player Bas Ent is in a process of inking a 3 year deal with MLS club Toronto F.C.) must of helped the Dutch Lions prospects in this year's trial.

As according to the Dutch Lions, 120 players showed up for the trial at the Sportpark Berg & Bos Stadium, where A.G.O.V.V. Appeldoorn competes in the Dutch Second Division, on the afternoon of November 24th. The try out may have taken place in Second Division surroundings, but there was credible First Division talent on hand for the Dutch Lions. Most notably, young Eredivise players Mitchell Burgzorg and Glenn Kobussen and Austrian U-21 player Mettin Copier.

The age of all three aforementioned talents is promising news for the Dutch Lions considering both Kobussen and Copier are 21 and Burgzorg is 23. The Dutch Lions would do well to bring these sort of young talents over for the USL-Pro season compared to some of the more well known 33 to 36 year old Dutch players, with bigger names in Holland, that the Lions have gone with before. These young players will be hungry (similiar to Bas Ent) to make a name for themselves while an older player usually has little or nothing to prove, can consider America a vacation, and could take a game off every once in a while.

It's a good sign that the Dutch Lions ownership is under the same mindset, since the try-out recap on the Dutch Lions website highlighted mostly younger names. Here's a little on some of the players trying to gain a contract with the Dutch Lions, most sound like players that a MLS squad would have no problem giving a look at and then some.



Mitchell "Priest" Burgzorg
Nationality: Dutch
Age: 23
Position: Right back
Current/ Former Clubs: None currently. Last played for Eredivise (Premier Division) side N.E.C. Nijmegen from 2008 to Summer of 2010 with
26 overall appearances for Premier Division N.E.C., best run was as a starter for half of the season in the 2009 to 2010 season with 20 appearances. 38 appearances as a starter with Dutch (Second Division) Haarlem from 2006-2008 as well before joining N.E.C.
Contract: Out of contract with N.E.C. since the Summer of 2010, Burgzorg almost signed with English League Two Barnet and Greek Premier side Panserraikos but those negotiations failed. Since then, Dutch (Second Division side) S.C. Cambuur have wanted to sign Burgzorg but financial issues have stopped the Dutch Frisian club from being able to do so. However, Burgzorg trains with Cambuur currently and Cambuur hopes to offer Burgzorg a contract in January according to multiple Dutch sources.

Interesting about Burgzorg: Mitchell is a mildly successful rapper in the Netherlands that goes by Priest or Priester. Mitchell raps in his spare time or rather as a second career. Hopefully Burgzorg is not trying to make it his priority for coming to America as a first career, but going to America is where any inspiring rapper worldwide would probably like to go. If Burgzorg can help the Dutch Lions defense at right back and help his rapping career at the same time, and that gets him to the Dutch Lions instead of Cambuur, more power to him.

Also I have a feeling looking at the first video that Mr. Burgzorg/Priester might be a marketing coo for the Dutch Lions if they can bring him on board. As fans, especially American fans, always want to root for interesting personalities.

Some Burgzorg Videos:





Glenn Kobussen
Nationality: Dutch
Age: 21
Position: Right midfield
Current/ Former Clubs: Kobussen's former club was Feyernoord where he was with their youth teams since 2005. In 2009 Kobussen worked his way up to the first team and debuted for Premier side Feyernoord in the 82nd minute of a league match against Sparta Rotterdam. Unfornately, that would be his only time with Feyernoord. In the Summer of 2009, Kobussen signed on with his hometown side Go Ahead Eagles. Kobussen has been with Go Ahead for a year and a half and only has worked his way onto the field for four appearances. The youngster is used mostly as cover in midfield as he improves his game.

Interesting about Kobussen: Definitely appears to be a guy hungry for some first team time with some club. Definitely has talent to be in the youth program of Feyernoord for so long and to work his way up to the first team. Kobussen appears to be a kid with talent just looking for the right opportunity.

Possibly Erik Tammer, who also played at Go Ahead Eagles, will be giving Kobussen that opportunity.



Mettin Copier
Nationality: Austrian, 3 Call Ups to Austrian U-21 team. Started in a 2-1 win over Italy's U-21 in March 2009
Age: 21
Position: Defender
Current/Former Clubs: Top Oss, of the Topklasse (3rd Division) that Bas Ent played in most recently with Katwijk. Previously was with Dutch Premier club AZ Alkmaar where Copier worked in the youth ranks under now Bayern Munchen coach Louis van Gaal and also earned a first team contract with Gaal in 2009. Did not make any appearances with Alkmaar in 2009-2010, so was loaned to Telstar of Dutch Second Division where Copier made 4 appearances. Then transferred in August to Top Oss of the Dutch Third Division.