Dutch Lions Capital Group USA LLC (DLCG USA) is an investment company that was founded in 2009 by Mike Mossel, Erik Tammer and Peter van der Molen. Besides DLCG USA, they also registered Dayton Dutch Lions FC LLC and purchased a license from United Soccer Leagues (USL) to play professional soccer in Dayton, Ohio.
The club in Dayton started with a Men's team in USL PDL (as one of the three pro teams) in 2010 and after a successful season the club was promoted to USL PRO. After 4 years in USL PRO the club decided to go back to USL PDL, which is now called USL League II. The club also added a Women's team in 2011 and started playing in the USL W-League. After the League folded in 2015, the club joined the WPSL in 2016. Besides their Men's and Women's team they also started a prestigious Youth Academy in 2010. In 2012 there were already more than 300 kids playing in the youth academy, but this number has decreased and the focus is mainly on the Men's and Women's team.
In April 2011, DLCG USA started a second club in the USA: Houston Dutch Lions FC LLC.
In September 2013, they started their third club in Cincinnati (Cincinnati Dutch Lions FC LLC).
In 2015 Florida Gulf Coast Dutch Lions FC LLC was launched. They were also co-founders and part of the initial ownership group of FC Cincinnati, who began playing in the 2016 season in USL PRO but moved to MLS in 2019.
In 2016 the fifth Dutch Lions FC club was started: New York Dutch Lions FC LLC.
Philosophy
Consistent with the Dutch philosophy of educating youth soccer players, the Dutch Lions FC program strives to enhance the growth of young men and women both on and off the pitch. On the pitch through their tactical and technical development and off the pitch through intellectual, moral, social and physical growth.
The Dutch Lions FC start to work on this development process of both person and player at the age of six. We use recognized Dutch training programs, utilizing international coaches along with the best local coaches with excellent playing facilities. We create a professional environment with integrity and ethical conduct, which promotes competitive excellence, sportsmanship and community service.
Through our quality programs we fulfill the dreams of young kids to become a professional soccer player in the USA or Europe and/or help them, along with their parents to obtain a soccer scholarship. We pride ourselves on our extensive network in the global soccer world. Thus, we consider the Dutch Lions FC to be the “Gateway to professional soccer”.
Background information
Tammer Sportmanagement is owned by Erik Tammer who is a former professional player for premier league clubs such as AFC Ajax Amsterdam, SC Heerenveen en Sparta Rotterdam. He guides and advises young talented players socially and financially.
Mossel Sportmanagement B.V. is owned by Mike Mossel. He advises individuals and companies on performance improvement and teaches at Avans University in Breda. He also played for First Division clubs RBC Roosendaal (the Netherlands), KFC Turnhout (Belgium) and Cincinnati Riverhawks (USA) and graduated from Xavier University in Cincinnati (Ohio).
Both Erik and Mike went through the prestigious KNVB UEFA C and UEFA B Pro (former profesional players) training courses.
Founders: Mike Mossel & Erik Tammer
Dutch Lions Capital Group USA has ownership in five Dutch Lions FC clubs in the USA:
- Dayton Dutch Lions FC in Dayton, Ohio: both a Dutch style coached Youth Academy, Men's team (USL League II, 4th level) and a Women's team that competes in the WPSL (2nd level)
- Houston Dutch Lions FC in Houston, Texas: both a Dutch style Youth Academy (+350 kids) and a Men's team (NPSL, 4th level)
- Cincinnati Dutch Lions FC in Cincinnati, Ohio: a Men's team (USL League II, 4th level)
- New York Dutch Lions FC in New York: annual games between een All Star team that consists of former Dutch National Team players combined with camps and clinics
- Florida Gulf Coast Dutch Lions FC in Cape Coral, Florida: both a Dutch style Youth Academy, a Men's team playing exhibition games in June and a Women's team that competes in the WPSL (2nd level)
DLCG USA is also co-founder and initial minority owner of FC Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio: a professional Men's soccer team started competing in USL PRO (2nd level) and now competes in the MLS.