Orange Legionnaire

Tait, 2010 PDL Defender of The Year and former Hartlepool United Reservist, joins the Dayton Dutch Lions. Hartlepool, not known for their senior side, are known for their impressive academy from the 1970's up until the present day. Tait also played on HUFC's academy squads.

*On December 22nd 2010, The Orange Legionnaire reported on this website that the Dayton Dutch Lions were interested in signing Joe Tait. Yesterday I received confirmation that this deal is in fact done.

Tait, the 2010 PDL Defender of The Year, came to the Dutch Lions attention as part of a new partnership formed by the Dutch Lions with Tait's PDL club, Baton Rouge.

Tait is quite a steal for the Dutch Lions. The Englishman played for Hartlepool United's reserve team from 2007-2009 (pictured above), playing nearly every game and leading HUFC to a Reserve title during the 2007-2008 season.

Tait, not satisfied with being a reservist, made the move stateside in 2009 where he started in central defense for NAIA powerhouse Lindsey Wilson in both the 2009 & 2010 seasons. Lindsey Wilson is the college of Columbus Crew starting left-back Shawn Francis and at least 10 other MLS'ers

Always looking to improve, Tait also started this past season for the Baton Rouge Capitals of the PDL, where Tait led the Capitals to the PDL playoffs placing third. His performances in 2010, including his dangerous heading ability that led to a hat trick in one game with Baton Rouge, landed Tait the honor of PDL Defender of the Year in 2010.

The 6'4, 175 pound center back, a periennal starter and winner wherever he goes, now sets his sights on strengthening the Dutch Lions defense in 2011. The 20-year-old Tait will definitely fill a need; as the Dutch Lions central defense was questionable at times in 2010, due to injury and not enough focus possibly on that position.



*Dutch Lions right back Evan Schwartz (also a former starter of the Chicago Fire's Super-20's and Icelandic cup winners Breidablik) looks destined to land somewhere in MLS. The former IMG Academy prospect (growing up with the likes of Freddy Adu) is headed to Turkey with Toronto F.C. at the start of February.

In Turkey, Schwartz will receive an opportunity to win a spot as Toronto's right back as the club faces off against Balkan powerhouses, FK Partizan Belgrade on Feb. 2nd and Dinamo Zagreb on Feb. 10th. Schwartz seems poised to impress, but if Toronto FC does not make an offer, it appears that the Colorado Rapids or the Chicago Fire will swoop in for the right back.

Schwartz, just ended a successful three-day training session with the Colorado Rapids, who have reportedly invited the right back to join their pre-season camp in Phoenix in February, if Schwartz and TFC cannot agree to terms.

Likewise, the Chicago Fire (who Schwartz played for in the Super-20's) have kept tabs on the right back and are also likely interested in bringing Schwartz to their camp in Florida.



Bas Ent (on the top of a Dutch Lions goal celebration above in 2010) has had his contract talks with Toronto F.C. cool down a bit. The two sides have yet to come to an agreement, although with a week before the trip to sunny Antayla, both sides have yet to rule out Bas taking the trip or an agreement being reached before then.

However, with the two sides coming close to an agreement multiple times over a four month period (the signing of Ent by TFC was reported by his Dutch club in October), Ent may already be looking at other options.

Reportedly Ent is not only gaining interest from Toronto F.C.; But, also has a Greek First Division club, a Cyprus First Division club, and a couple of Asian clubs looking at the pacy winger.