Orange Legionnaire

Evan Schwartz, 23, will return to his right back position for the second season in a row.

Schwartz brings with him two successful offseason workouts with the Colorado Rapids and the Chicago Fire of MLS. Evan impressed greatly at both with his speed and ability to get forward from his right back position. In fact, Schwartz was almost signed by the Colorado Rapids, but Colorado elected, late in their offseason, to sign their draft pick Eddie Ababio as the Rapids right back depth. Schwartz also was in talks with Toronto F.C. in December and January.

Schwartz has learned quite a lot working with MLS professionals for most of his offseason and is excited to bring that experience back to the Dutch Lions. The young, attacking right back expects to work hard and help the Dutch Lions achieve greater success in their inaugural season in USL-Pro, in hopes of attracting more opportunities next MLS offseason.

In addition to returning, Schwartz recommended the Dutch Lions to his friend and former teammate, the Bahamian international Happy Hall. Hall, who most recently played in the Trinidad & Tobago Pro League with Mau Pau SC, was recently signed by the Dutch Lions. Hall was the Captain of the Bahamian National Team during 2008 World Cup qualification.

Schwartz also is bringing a second IGM Academy alum, Luke McGill, with him on the ride to preseason training in Dayton, OH. All three are arriving in Dayton together from their southern locales this Friday.

Dutch Lions Back Line Looks Much Improved

Just look at the experience of the Dutch Lions expected starting four for this 2011 USL-Pro season~


Mettin Copier LB grew up in the AZ Alkmaar program and has two caps for the Austrian U-21 national team, including a 2-1 away win against Italy where Copier played a crucial part in proceedings.


Joe Tait CB/LB Played before for Hartlepool United in England, won PDL Defender of The Year in 2010 with Baton Rouge. Strong, 6'4 tall defender.


Happy Hall CB grew up in the IMG Academy system, has played in England as well as with Trindad top side Mau Pau SC (same league that includes Joe Public that knocked New England out of the Champions League before). 10 caps with Bahamian national team and also captained the national team in their World Cup 2008 qualifying efforts.


Evan Schwartz RB Spent entire offseason either working out with a MLS team (such as the Colorado Rapids or the Chicago Fire) or flirting with a MLS contract (as with Toronto F.C. and the Colorado Rapids once again). Also a former IMG Academy prospect, who has also spent time playing professionally in Iceland.

Overall, it appears that the Dutch Lions are looking to leave their attack to their Dutch internationals, along with a few Americans; While putting their defense in the hands of an American, an Englishman, a Bahamian, and an Austrian. Probably not a bad idea since the Dutch are known more for their attacking players (and attacking prowress) and not usually for their defensive talents.

Marvin Van der Pluijm, a 22-year-old attacking right winger with NAC Breda of the Dutch Eredivise (Premier League), was announced this weekend to be signed by the Dayton Dutch Lions on various Dutch sporting websites.

Van der Pluijm started his professional career with FC Den Bosch (Dutch First Division- The Second Tier of Dutch Football Below The Eredivise). At FC Den Bosch, Van der Pluijm made 12 appearances (most during his 2009 season) where he impressed scouts from NAC Breda.

In the Summer of 2010, Van der Pluijm made the move to Premier League outfit NAC Breda; At Breda, as at most Dutch Premier League clubs, Van der Pluijm had to bide his time and work his way up on the training ground to get on Breda's first team.

On January 22nd 2011, Van der Pluijm received his Eredivise debut as a substitute in the second half against rivals NEC Nijemen. With his team down 2-1, with whistles raining down from the home NEC fans with just seconds remaining, Van der Pluijm's strike in the 93rd minute (plus 45 seconds) took an advantageous deflection into the back of the rivals net for NAC Breda to steal a 2-2 tie.

Van der Pluijm described his goal to the Dutch press, a goal that gained his Eredivise club a vital point less than two months ago:

"We came back from 1-0 down as the game was under pressure. Then I warmed up and we tied the match at 1-1, I thought: 'Now what can possibly happen?" Then NEC went up 2-1 and I thought: "Now I come in there and I must do something. That happened."

That goal, Van der Pluijm's best moment as a young professional, can be seen below (goal sequence starts at 8:05):


Despite scoring on his debut, Van der Pluijm surprisingly never received a second appearance with NAC Breda in the next two months. Nac Breda's loss, Dutch Lions gain; As now the youngster looks to bring his pace to Dayton when the Dayton Dutch Lions face off against USL Pro opponents this season. That season starts quickly for Van der Pluim; as the Dutch youngster is scheduled to be in town on March 26th to prepare for the DDL F.C. season. A season that begins just a few weeks later on April 16th, when the Charleston Battery come to town for the home opener at Miami Valley South Stadium.

From this video of Van der Pluijm's time with FC Den Bosch, it looks like Marvin will be the Dutch Lions replacement for Bas Ent this season:


The Dutch Lions have recently made an official announcement on some other signings as well. A few of those players were speculated months ago to have been signed such as Mettin Copier (Austrian U-23 Player) and Joe Tait (Former Hartlepool United player), as well as some new names such as Bahamian international Happy Hall and American Kolby LaCrone. Tomorrow, I'll have up a look at the Dutch Lions 2011 lineup so far, with players officially announced and others known to be joining, try to get a look at what the formation looks like so far.