Orange Legionnaire

Alex Van der Sluijs - Forward
From Dayton, Ohio- Played for Wilmington College and the Cinncinati Kings

Was a three year starter for Wilmington College and a two-time forward of the year in the OAC with them. Van der Sluijs last collegiate season was in 2006 where he scored 15 goals and had 8 assists in 18 appearances for the Quakers. Van der Sluijs also played in the PDL in 2007 for the Cinncinati Kings and is currently the head coach of D-III side Defiance College.

Van der Sluijs impressed in the second tryouts by scoring a goal in the third game. With him and Steven McCarthy, the Dutch Lions probably have two of the most profilic goalscorers in the OAC over the last five years.

The Van der Sluijs family with Alex on the roster and Derek Van der Sluijs as the Office Manager for the Dayton office, have quite a connection with the team.



Evan Schwartz - Right Back
Juno Beach, FL- Played for Bredablik in Iceland, IMG Academy

Is a right back with good speed who can get forward. Played last season with Bredablik in Iceland. Had 10 appearances with 3 goals over his two seasons in Iceland. Was in the IMG Academy and also has played against youth or academy teams such as Chelsea, Millwall, Sheffield United, PSV Eindhoven, Feyenoord, Palmeiras, Sao Paolo, Curitiba, Atletico Paranaense, Pente Puerte, Flamengo, Corinthians and etc. Was wanted by a couple of USL-2 and USL-1 teams but decided to go with the Dutch Lions instead (likely because Tammer and Mossel have more connections in Europe).

I actually went with him and the owners after the second tryout to the Pub, good lad. Might try to get an interview with him going like I did with Kyle. Here's an interview with the main website though until then.

Brett Jones
Played with Crew Reserves, Cincinnati Kings, and FC Den Bosch in Holland - Went to Wright State University

I'm guessing that Brett Jones is this guy (scroll down to the U-12 coaches). If so, Jones was a first team player in Wright State's conference way back in 2002, he tried his luck overseas in Holland (which makes him more than likely the guy), then played for the Crew reserves in 2005 and the Cincinnati Kings from 2005 to 2007. Could be someone else, but this was the only guy online that made sense to me in this area.

If so, Jones would be the oldest American on the team at 29 years of age. He would also likely be offered some sort of role in the Dutch Lions youth academy based on his experience in the Crew Juniors Academy.

Last week, the Dutch Lions per their website officially announced seven American players that they've decided to sign from the first try out back in January. That brisk outdoor try out with 20 degree weather will be replaced in the second try out this Friday with 60 degree weather. The last eight players to make up the complete Dutch Lion roster of 23 will likely be signed from this second try out on Friday (for more information on Friday's try out, click here). There also may be some stiffer competition for the last eight spots since DDL F.C. has had a couple more months since that January try out to spread their name. After that try out, check here at The Orange Legionnaire for more information about the last eight players as well as video from the try out, but lets get to know the Americans already under contract a bit better.


Jeff Popella
From Dayton, Ohio- Played For Dayton University
Position: Forward

Jeff Popella is a 6'1 forward who has played in 57 games over his college career with the Dayton Flyers registering 11 goals and 5 assists. Popella also was a standout at local Caroll High School. Popella had some injury issues in his senior season and only played in seven games but came on strong for the Flyers late in the season registering two goals (one below) and playing very well over the second half of his senior season.

Popella also played his youth soccer for local clubs Inter Dayton, United Rapids, Celtics and Ohio Galaxies.




Steven McCarthy
From Dayton, Ohio- Played For Capital University, Trained & Played Exhibition Match With The Crew
Position: Forward

Is The Ohio Athletic Conference's leading goalscorer with 64 goals and points leader with 145 points over his career at Division-III Capital University. McCarthy in his senior season scored 24 goals in 23 games for Capital University. McCarthy also netted a goal for the Crew in an exhibition match against Ohio State University in the annual Connor Senn Match. An excellent in depth interview with McCarthy can be found here on Capital U's website, seems like a real good kid. McCarthy looks to continue his goal scoring ways with DDL F.C. this Spring.



Randy Dennis
From San Antonio, Texas- Played For Dayton University
Position: Defender

The 6'1 defender has been a defensive starter for Dayton, Ohio since his freshman season, you could call Randy, "Mr. Reliable" with 68 total caps in the Flyers backline. Dennis's consistency over his four years at Dayton University will be needed and probably called upon greatly at DDL F.C. who are top heavy on offensive signings with only 4 defenders on the team of 15 so far.



Kyle VondenBenken
From Sterling Heights, Michigan- Played For Butler University, Kalamazoo Outrage
Position: Midfielder/Defender

VondenBenken started all 19 games for Butler University his Senior season and was recognized for his play by being placed on the All- Horizon League First Team. Overall, VondenBenken has started in 69 games for Butler University making 77 overall appearances. VondenBenken also played for the PDL's Kalamazoo Outrage, this experience should help VondenBenken net some more minutes for DDL F.C.



Eric Kissinger
From Dayton, Ohio- Played for Haverford College
Position: Central Midfielder

The 5'10, 150 pound midfielder played 65 games with 9 goals and 6 assists for Haverford College. Haverford College only had 12 wins during Kissinger's time there (12-49-6 overall), but Kissinger was one of their best players over the four years he was there from 2005 to 2008, missing no starts.



Eddie Herstenberg
From Cincinnati, Ohio- Played For Ohio Dominican University and The Cinncinati Express Indoor Team
Position: Attacking midfielder

Eddie played 39 games for Ohio Dominican with 5 goals and 5 assists. He played and started for Cincinnati State before transferring to Ohio Dominican and then played for the Cincinnati Express after his last collegiate season in 2007. Herstenberg, according to his ODU bio has a good touch and attacking flair.



Kyle Segebart
From Dayton, Ohio- Played for Cinncinati Kings of the PDL, Cedarville University, Rio Grande University, and Shorter College.
Position: Defender

Started 17 games for Cedarville in 2008 and was one of their top players. Was a starter for the Cinncinati Kings backline in 2009. Should have one of the easier transitions of the American players as he has a full season already under his belt in the PDL, even though the Cinncinati Kings finished last in the Great Lakes Region in 2009.

So out of all the American players already signed, which do you see getting the most ammount of minutes for DDL F.C. in 2010? Will any of these players be able to push some of their Dutch counterparts out of positions or will the Americans only be fighting over 3 starting spots? Discuss and vote on it over at The Orange Legionnaire Forum by clicking here.