Dayton Dutch Lions Set Date for Open Try Outs

Published on September 26, 2013 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Dayton Dutch Lions News Release


DAYTON, Ohio- It's been only a few short weeks since Dayton Dutch Lions FC completed its most successful campaign as a professional soccer team, and the club is already making preparations for next season. The Dutch Lions have set a date for tryouts, open to all skilled, eligible players that desire to play professional soccer for a winning organization.

The tryouts will be held on Saturday, November 9, beginning at 9:30 AM. The session will consist of a short training session, followed by 11v11 matches. Players will be trained and evaluated by Patrick Bal, Head Coach of the Dutch Lions' USL PRO team, Sid van Druenen, Technical Manager for the club, and other members of the professional technical staff. The tryouts will be hosted on the turf field of the Miami Valley School, located at 5151 Denise Drive, Dayton, OH 45429.

The Dutch Lions compete in USL PRO, touted as "the strongest, best operated and most experienced North American men's professional soccer league below MLS, both on and off the field." An unprecedented partnership between MLS and USL PRO was established prior to the 2013 season, which will expand in the future. The partnership fosters player development through affiliations developed between individual MLS franchises and USL PRO teams. It also ensure high levels of competition by scheduling matches between MLS Reserves and USL PRO, with the results counting in both leagues.

Dayton Dutch Lions FC was established in 2009, and the club has achieved greater success during each season. After competing as an amateur side in USL PDL in 2010, the team was promoted to the professional ranks of USL PRO. In 2012, the Dutch Lions upset the Columbus Crew at Crew Stadium to advance to the quarter-finals of the Lamar Hunt US Open cup. Dayton's run was ended by eventual champion, Sporting Kansas City, at LiveStrong Park. In 2013, Dayton reached the USL PRO playoffs for the first time.

Open tryouts has proven to be an effective way to add talented players to the Dutch Lions' professional roster. Brandon Swartzendruber and Brock Granger were among several players who were signed to professional contracts as a result of last year's tryouts. Swartzendruber tallied seven goals and three assists as a center forward. Granger logged 2042 minutes on a solid back line. Both were USL PRO Team of the Week honorees at various times throughout the season.

Interested players should take advantage of the early registration fee of $100. Registrations received after November 1 will cost $125. The online registration form can be accessed at 14-usl-pro-season/. Additional information about tryouts can be found at cademy-tryouts-attended-by-fc-twente/. Inquiries related to the tryouts should be addressed to Sid van Druenen at s.vandruenen@daytondutchlionsfc.com.

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