Orange Legionnaire

After parting ways with the Dayton Dutch Lions in August 2010, Sonny Silooy has landed back in America with a new job as a trainer in the United States. The 47-year-old former Ajax player will now be in charge of the youth academy for DC United.

Silooy today officially signed a contract for two seasons with D.C. United, historically one of the most successful clubs in MLS. Silooy will not work as a head coach (which is the job of former D.C. player Ben Olsen), but as a youth academy coach. Silooy's contract begins next month.

Silooy explains the job details to Dutch soccer website Voetbal International:

"The intention is to have more structure in the D.C. Academy. They
want in the future to have more and more youth players passed up to the
first team. While I have signed for two years, in December
(2011) we will evaluate and look whether we can continue on the
same path. "

Silooy worked last year as manager and youth academy director at the Dayton Dutch Lions. Silooy left the Dutch Lions when the front office and Silooy couldn't agree on a similiar path for the future of the youth academy. However, both sides remain good friends and the Dutch Lions were looking to possibly bring Silooy back on staff, before this opportunity presented itself for the Ajax legend.

The move is another positive story for those related with the Dutch Lions, as the Dutch Lions may want to change their slogan from "Gateway to Professional Soccer" to "Gateway to MLS" as players Ent and Schwartz have been flirting with MLS contracts, and now the former Dutch Lions manager has landed one.

The Dutch Lions have signed 27 year old winger Lucien Seymour from 4th division Dutch club RVVH, according to FOKSPORT.nl. The signing of Seymour was likely a recommendation of Cor van Hoeven, the new Dutch Lions technical director, who coached recently at RVVH.



The Dutch Lions have also signed Dick van Eijmeren. Van Eijmeren is a 21 year old Dutch defender who is reported to be signed with the Dutch Lions according to FOKSPORT.nl. Van Eijmeren was in the NAC Breda system as a reserve player from 2008 to 2010, but was unable to break through the NAC Breda (Dutch Erstedivise) squad's first team.

Most recently, van Eijmeren has been plying his trade with VV Capelle who he has helped promote to the Dutch third division.



Van Eijmeren will be following VV Capelle teammate Jesper Leerdam to the Dayton Dutch Lions in 2011. The 23 year old Leerdam was a goalkeeper for Capelle who helped that club to the Topklasse and has made seven starts this season.

Schwartz is just to the left of Corey Gibbs in the above picture, and in between the two players on the right picture.

Former Dutch Lions right back Evan Schwartz has joined the Chicago Fire in Ave Maria, Florida near Naples for the Fire's preseason training camp. Schwartz had a few options with the Colorado Rapids and Toronto F.C. as well, but eventually elected to go with the Chicago Fire after he was invited to their preseason training camp.

Appears to be a wise choice since the Fire are looking for young, talented players to fill the void of big names, and not just more big names to fill the holes left by the McBride's, Blanco's, Ljunjberg's, and Castillo's. Instead the Fire appear to be looking for less risk adverse talent (basically the opposite of Nery Castillo) as stated below by Fire Manager de los Cobos:

“I am very excited because we are trying to build a different team, if you compare to what we had last season. We have young players, players with different skills, the players are working hard and are trying to understand my concepts.”

A further quote in that Naples News article gleans the Fire are prescribing to a different formula for success than their big DP purchases in past years:

Gibbs is perhaps the best-known addition to the (Fire) that lost veterans Brian McBride and Freddie Ljungberg after last season. Rather than searching for big-name replacements, the club is hoping that players already on the roster can help fill the void those players left behind.

Schwartz, wasn't already on the Chicago Fire roster as of last season; But, Evan is well-known by the Chicago Fire as he played for the Chicago Fire Super 20's before heading over to play in Iceland.

Further, after returning from Iceland, Schwartz played against the Chicago Fire's PDL club twice, as he suited up for the Fire's PDL Great Lakes divisional rival, the Dayton Dutch Lions. This allowed the Fire to keep tabs on their former prospect who impressed in that tough PDL conference.

Now Schwartz's career, which began with the Fire's U-20's, looks to come full circle; as Schwartz has the chance to impress and win a spot on the Fire's senior MLS squad over the next few weeks.

Schwartz will look to impress in Florida during the Fire's two weeks of two-a-days, as well as in a match against Florida's Gulf Coast University this Thursday, and culminating with a doubleheader against the New York Red Bulls on February 23rd.

After Corey Gibbs speaks in the below video, you can also see Evan passing in the background:

According to VoetbalPlus.nl Dutch Lions midfielder Julius Wille wants to return to Dayton for the 2011 USL-Pro season.

Julius Wille is open to a temporary move back to the United States. The midfielder has with AGOVV, an option in his contract where he can transfer back to the Dayton Dutch Lions for their 2011 season. Last year, the midfielder also played for several months for the Dayton club.

Julius Wille was one of the more technical players for the Dutch Lions in 2010 and has been on great form for AGOVV in the Dutch Second Division this season.

Wille has scored in his last two games, he scored the opening goal for AGOVV two days ago (20 seconds in) in a 2-2 tie with FC Den Bosch:


Then in the previous week Wille had a cracker of a goal, (1:13 in), to gain AGOVV a 2-2 tie with Telstar:


With Wille's current form, AGOVV probably won't be keen to let him join the Dutch Lions until after their season. But, if Wille can keep up his current form there should be an interest on the Dutch Lions end to get him back in the Orange uniform, ASAP.

The Bas Ent to Toronto FC eight month odyssey that began in July of 2010 with his first trial (that included 45 impressive minutes with TFC against EPL side Bolton) is now over.

After almost being signed by a Toronto F.C. ran interimly by Nick Dasovic and Earl Cochrane, the new TFC guard of Aron Winter and Paul Mariner decided today that Ent wasn't in their plans on the wing.

As Ent was released today from the Antayla, Turkey camp and will likely return home to the Netherlands.

Ent still has plenty of options as a Greek club, Cypriot club, and a few Asian clubs have contacted the winger about a contract. Further, Ent may go back to his 3rd division Dutch club Katwijk, where he was on a good run of form before leaving Katwijk to try to make Toronto's squad.

But, the option that most Dutch Lion fans would like most is a return of Bas Ent to Dayton. The winger would easily be considered a starter on opening day in April for the Dutch Lions.

Further, with the Dutch Lions now in the American 2nd division, compared to the 4th, Ent will have a chance to make a bigger impression on MLS and international clubs in the future.

In fact, I would not be surprised if the Dutch Lions front office has already contacted the winger.

Just a new weekly video i'm putting on my soccer websites, from my sister website Crewture.com. I'm extending it to more leagues like MLS, Bundesliga, etc. in coming weeks. As well as USL-Pro and the Dayton Dutch Lions :-). Music mixed as well by me, just something fun weekly for those that don't have a hour to browse for goal highlights..



Crewture: In The Mix
"World Is Yours" Mix for 2/1 to 2/8

Songs:
Take Over Control- Afrojack ft. Eva Simons
South American- Tom Sawyer vs. Dj Beatbreaker
Pass Out- Tinie Tempah vs. Bomfunk MC's
World Is Yours- Sidney Sampson