Orange Legionnaire

Highlights from the 2-1 win by the Michigan Bucks:

Players and alma-mater from Piqua, Troy, and Sydney High Schools will face off against the Dayton Dutch Lions at Wertz Stadium in Piqua, Ohio on Tuesday, July 13th at 7:00 p.m.. The match kicks off an annual exhibition between the Dutch Lions and these high schools. This match will also be a nice tune up for the Dutch Lions in preparation for their last regular season, home game on July 17th at 1 p.m. against Kalamazoo.

The Dutch Lions are playing in the exhibition as part of an excellent relationship that the Lions have built with the Piqua Indians Soccer Association (P.I.S.A); as well as to spread their quality brand of Dutch footie to soccer fans in Northern Dayton (as these fans may not be able to come out and view as many regular season games).


Owner Mike Mossel explains in further detail:

"So far we have had great feedback from the Southern part of Dayton concerning our games and our players. Of course this has to do with the fact that we play our home games in Bellbrook. However, we noticed a lot of people in the Northern part are not that familiar with us yet. So when Wil Benson from Piqua Indians Soccer Association asked me if I was interested in getting soccer people from the Piqua region more aware and involved, I immediately said yes."

The Dutch Lions are also excited to play at Wertz Stadium in this exhibition, as it's a nice facility as well.



Wil Benson, PISA President, had the following to say on the game:

“I want to promote soccer as much as possible, and I think this is a great family event for our community and Miami County. This is an opportunity to see soccer at a higher level and make a long time relationship with the Dayton Dutch Soccer Family. We want to build support for soccer in general and in the long run, we hope people will go and support the Dayton Dutch Team.”

Come out to The Dublin Pub at 300 Wayne Avenue in Dayton, Ohio at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 6th and Wednesday, July 7th to celebrate and watch the World Cup Semifinals with your Dayton Dutch Lions! The matchups are full of intrigue for soccer fans as well as the Dutch Lions; as the Dutch contingent of the Dutch Lions team will be cheering on their countrymen who face off against Uruguay tomorrow at 2:30 p.m.. Then on Wednesday, the Dutch Lions will be in attendance to hopefully see who the Netherlands will face off against in the World Cup final, either Spain or Germany.

Will it be 1974 all over again with a Germany vs. Netherlands final (with hopefully a different result)? Find out with the Dutch Lions this week! Watch the action and share a beer with them this Tuesday and Wednesday at the Dublin Pub!

Go all Dutch Lions:

Carbon Copy: Dutch Lions and Michigan Bucks both come into this game with 20 points, winner takes closer step to PDL playoffs and Great Lakes Division title.

The Dayton Dutch Lions (5-1-5, 20 points) enter this game looking to extend their winning streak to two straight games as they face off against the Michigan Bucks (6-2-2, 20 points) with the divisional title and PDL playoffs at stake. The Dutch Lions will feel confident going into this contest; as the Dutch Lions defeated the Michigan Bucks in late May at the Bucks indoor facility. Further, the Dutch Lions come off one of their best weeks with two solid performances against the Cincinnati Kings and Chicago Fire.

The Michigan Bucks are also in the title and PDL playoff hunt. However, the Bucks were only able to get a tie last night against Forest City London (6-1-3, 21 points), another contender, which narrows the race for the Great Lakes Division title even more so; as neither the Bucks or Forest City London could capture a vital three points.

The Dutch Lions and Michigan Bucks both need wins, not ties. The Dutch Lions will be bolstered by the return of Bret Jones and Johan Wigger who will likely start for the first time in months. The return of these two pivotal players will hopefully offset the loss of Geert den Ouden. Further, Dutch Lions Head Coach Sonny Silooy is confident that Hans van de Haar can fill in at Geert's position.

Here is what Sonny is looking for in this game:
"We know how dangerous the Michigan Bucks are. But, we'll play our same system. We'll play offensive. But, we'll play a little bit smarter than we did in the beginning of the season. And I hope we can play like the Cincinnati and Chicago games, and that's also good for the spectators."

Defensive midfielder Johan Wigger is raring for his first start since injury:
"I told Sonny when I came back from Holland, I wanted to play every match despite any sort of injury. First game back I had an injury. But, I'm ready to go now. I want to play, I always want to play."

Every game for the Dutch Lions is pivotal from here on in and the Dutch Lions will be looking for their fan support once again. The Dutch Lions are looking to celebrate "Orange, White, and Blue" on July 3rd at 7:30 p.m. with you before the "Red, White, and Blue" Independence day festivities on July 4th. Please be there to cheer loud and to back the Dutch Lions.



Go Lions!

Video from practice today: