Matt Williams, Eli Garner and Gibson Bardsley picked up by Columbus Crew and Sporting Kansas City
Dayton, August 27 2012 - Three players from the Dutch Lions FC squad have earned training time with MLS clubs now that the USL Pro season has finished. After Evan Schwarz (pro in Iceland), Georgie Davis IV (LA Blues and Orlando Lions) and Joe Tait (MLS Philadelphia Union) went to play abroad or at a top level last year, goalkeeper Matt Williams and winger Eli Garner are currently on trial with the Columbus Crew while Gibson Bardsley is currently on trial with Sporting Kansas City.
Gibson Bardsley
President Mike Mossel had this to say on the trials: "It is great that some of our players are getting national recognition. Although we started poorly we finished strong and same as last year we showed that the Dutch Lions FC are about developing (players) and that is exactly what these three guys did. If you look how they started and how they played at the end they have become important players for the club. Matt has been outstanding in goal this year and has proven to be among the top goalkeepers of the League. We have a saying in Holland that a good goalie always earns at least 10 points for his team and I believe he has done that. Up front Garner and Bardsley have developed throughout the season to become wingers with a lot of depth and speed, something we lacked last year. Including US Open Cup games they also scored 5 and 6 goals and added several assists. I believe they can be of great use to any MLS club coming off the bench and even starting. Although I prefer keeping them with us I would be pleased if they would go and play in the MLS."