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Dayton Dutch Lions FC and Columbus Crew Entertain Fans

May 20, 2014 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Dayton Dutch Lions News Release


Dayton, OH, May 20 2014 - The fans came out in droves to support their teams and the air was heavy with excitement, as the Dayton Dutch Lions FC (2-4-2) welcomed the Columbus Crew (3-4-4) for an exhibition game at DOC stadium. Once rivals, the teams now work together through a MLS-USL affiliation for the development of their players and teams and the promotion of both organizations. There was no greater evidence of this teamwork then the line up for the Crew this evening, which included three players that had started their season with the Lions.

Columbus came out fast from the start and in the first minute Ben Sweat sent a cross in that went off the foot of Dayton's Joel DeLass into the Lions goal. By the fourth minute Dayton's keeper Matt Williams came under heavy fire in front of the goal and Ethan Finley was able to put a foot on the ball off a rebound and send it to the back of the Lions net. It took Dayton, playing with some new blood in their line-up, a few minutes to get started, but once they were underway they created some chances up front. The best one came when Sebastian Thuriere found Matt Walker, on loan from the Crew, up the right side and in the twenty-third minute he sent a shot to the lower left corner but Columbus keeper Matt Lampson deflected it wide left. The Crew's pressure and speed proved difficult for the Lions to handle, however they recovered again and in the thirtieth minute Eli Garner was able to get off a shot, but again Lampson got his hands on it. Aaron Schoenfeld, also on loan from the Crew, had his chance in the thirty-sixth minute when he received a ball from Thuriere down the right side. Beating the Crew defender he made a beeline for the goal, but the shot was saved by the Crew's keeper Lampson and another goal was denied. Schoenfeld would have several other chances but could not finish. The half finished with the Crew having scored two and the Lions still looking for their first.

The energy was high as the crowd cheered on both teams for the start of the second half. Heavy substitutions on both sides provided fresh legs on both sides of the pitch and created an intense back and forth half that was easy for fans to enjoy. A balance of short and long ball kept both teams on their toes. The Dutch Lions thought they had crept closer in the fifty-seventh minute when a shot from Angoy-Cruyff was deflected by Crew goalkeeper Lampson and Guilherme Felix pounded into the back of the net only to be called offsides by the officiating crew. A heavy Crew attack in the sixty-ninth minute showcased the talents of Dutch Lions goalkeeper Bradley Stuver, on loan from the Crew. He was able to deflect several point-blank shots and collect the ball while surrounded by white Crew jerseys. Hard work by the Dutch Lions throughout the half paid off in the midfield and several steals led to several chances but the Crew defensemen held fast. Dayton was unable to find the back of the net and the final score matched the score at half, Columbus 2, Dayton 0.

Dayton head coach Sid van Druenen remained upbeat about the match. "We had a rough start. It took us too long to wake up. Once we did we showed some really great combinations. Overall I am positive about what we did."

The Dayton Dutch Lions (2-4-2) will play their next home game Sunday, May 25th at 7pm against the Sacramento Republic FC (4-3-1). They then travel to Michael A Carroll Stadium on the campus of Indiana University to play the Indy Eleven (0-2-4 in the NASL) on Wednesday, May 28th as part of the US Open Cup. They return home on Sunday, June 1st for more league play against the Rochester Rhinos (3-1-4) at 7pm at DOC Stadium. For season and individual game tickets, visit the Dutch Lions website.

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