The Dayton Dutch Lions FC holds tryouts every year for the following teams:
- Men's professional team: November (in the Netherlands), November and February (in Dayton)
- Women's team: in March (in Dayton)
- Youth Academy: in November and May/June (in Dayton)
Men's professional team
The Men's professional team is playing in the prestigious USL Pro League, one level below the Major League Soccer (MLS). The League consists of 14 teams in 2014 with new expansion teams in Los Angeles, Sacramento and Oklahoma. The League is nationwide and runs from the end of March to the 1st week of September, followed by the play-offs. In 2013 the teams played 26 games including 2 games against a MLS reserve team (Columbus Crew for Dayton), as part of the partnership between the USL and the MLS. The team consists of 24 players with a maximum of 7 foreigners on the roster. First practice is usually scheduled the first week of March. The Dayton Dutch Lions FC have recently formed an affiliation with the Columbus Crew of MLS, meaning a minimum of 4 players of the Crew will play for the Lions in 2014. All the players are full professional. The playing style is Dutch oriented in a typical 4-3-3 system based on possession and passing. In 2013 the team finished 8th in the League with 37 points (10-9-7), making the playoffs for the first time in it's 3 year history in the League. The team travels usually travels in a sleepers bus to the away games. In case you like to try out for the team you can register for one of the tryout dates below.
In case you have any questions please contact Technical Manager Sid van Druenen at s.vandruenen@daytondutchlionsfc.com.
Tryout dates and location in Dayton:
February 22, 2014
Miami Valley School
5151 Denise Drive
Dayton, OHIO 45429
Register for Men's professional team tryout here
Tryout dates and location in the Netherlands:
TBA
Women's team
The Women's team is playing in the USL W-League, on level below the National Women's Soccer League and consists of 4 Conferences with a total of 25 teams. The League is nationwide and runs from May to the 3rd week of July, followed by the play-offs. In 2013 Dayton was in the Southeastern Conference with Carolina, Charlotte, Atlanta and Tampa, playing 10 games (normally 12). The club also won the 2013 USL Organization of the Year Award during the Award Ceremony in Tampa (FL) in December 2013. The team consists of 24 players with a maximum of 7 foreigners on the roster. First practice is usually scheduled the beginning of May. Players are not paid. The playing style is Dutch oriented in a typical 4-3-3 system based on possession and passing. In 2013 the team finished 1st in the League with 18 points (5-2-3), clinching the Regular Season Conference Championship. In case you like to try out for the team you can register for one of the tryout dates below.
In case you have any questions please contact Technical Manager Sid van Druenen at s.vandruenen@daytondutchlionsfc.com.
Tryout dates and location:
May 12th, 2014 from 12:30pm to 3pm.
The DOC at West Carrollton High School
5833 Student Street, West Carrollton, Ohio, 45449
Register for Women's professional team tryout here!
Youth Academy
If you are looking to take your development to the next level then you can attend the Dutch Lions Fc Youth Academy and become a part of the area's only "gateway to professional soccer". All coaches are full time and the majority is from the Netherlands with a UEFA C or B license, or a professional player. The teams practice and play from the beginning of August to the end of May. Also integrated in the Academy are video analysis sessions, individual coach-player evaluations, individual coach-parent evaluations, several workshops (such as nutrition and college prep) and a mentoring program with our USL-PRO professional players. To guarantee the quality of the Academy and to provide a broader opportunity to our youth players, the Dutch Lions Youth Academy have an exclusive partnership with Dutch Premier League club FC Twente, who's Academy is considered on of the top in Europe.
The practices and games are held at the West Carrollton Soccer Complex and Miami Valley School (astro turf) until the completion of our own fields at West Carrollton High School. The Youth Academy will place teams and players accordingly for their best development and look to compete in area leagues such as Buckeye Premier Youth Soccer League, Miami Valley Youth Soccer League, Midwest Regional League, and the USL Super Y League. The Super Y-League is a nationwide League that runs from May to the beginning of July (6 weeks). In 2013 the Dayton Dutch Lions FC had 4 teams (U12B, U14B, U20B, U20G) in this League.
Tryout Dates and Times:
TBA
For any specific questions about the Dutch Lions Youth Academy and upcoming tryouts please contact e.groenheide@daytondutchlionsfc.com.