The Dayton Dutch Lions will open the 2013 USL PRO regular season at home against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Saturday, April 20 at Beavercreek High School. The gates will open an hour before first kick, which is scheduled for 7:30 PM. The home opener will be accompanied by the Dutch Lions’ salute to the Unites States Armed Forces.
The Dutch Lions struggled in the early portion of the 2012 season, but look to get 2013 off to a fast start under first-year head coach Patrick Bal. The core of the roster that performed well in the second half of last season and advanced to the quarter-finals of the US Open Cup is joined by several talented off-season acquisitions. Among the new faces is Shintaro Harada, an experienced center back/midfielder, who spent the last few seasons with the Riverhounds.
“I really had a great time with the Riverhounds for three seasons and also with the people of Pittsburgh,” said Harada. “I am very motivated for the home opener this weekend. It doesn’t matter who we play against. I don’t have extra motivation for the game. I will just play and try to help the team.”
Pittsburgh (0-1-1) has already competed in two matches in the young season. They earned a point on the road in a 1-1 draw at Richmond in their season opener. They couldn’t stave off a second half rally by Harrisburg and fell to the City Islanders by a score of 2-1 at home last Saturday night. The Riverhounds will be hungry for their first victory when they come to Dayton this weekend.
The Dutch Lions and the Riverhounds faced each other three times in 2012. Pittsburgh triumphed 2-0 in the first contest. The two teams battled to a 1-1 draw the second time they faced each other. It was Dayton that emerged victorious by a score of 1-0 in the final match.
Tickets are still available through Ticketfly for the Dutch Lions’ home opener at http://www.ticketfly.com/org/1163-dayton-dutch-lions-fc/.