The final week of the USL PRO regular season is about to get underway and it may be the most important week in the relatively short history of the Dayton Dutch Lions FC. The Dutch Lions sit at the precipice of being invited to the post-season for the first time since joining the professional ranks in 2011. There are a number of scenarios that could play out this week that would clinch a playoff berth for Dayton.
Eight teams will qualify for the USL PRO post-season tournament this season. Dayton currently occupies the eighth spot with 34 points. VSI Tampa Bay (31 pts) and the Wilmington Hammerheads (30 pts) are right behind the Dutch Lions in the playoff race. Dayton holds a tie-breaking advantage over Tampa Bay, should it come to that, but the Hammerheads would win a tie over the Dutch Lions.
The Dutch Lions face the Harrisburg City Islanders on Saturday evening at 7:30 PM at Beavercreek High School. If Dayton can beat Harrisburg, then the Dutch Lions will be in the playoffs regardless of the outcomes of other games this week. Harrisburg won the previous matchup between these two clubs this season, so clinching a playoff spot by beating the City Islanders would be doubly gratifying.
Wilmington plays the first of its two remaining games tonight against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Should the Riverhounds find a way to knock off the Hammerheads at Legion Stadium, the Dutch Lions’ ticket to the post-season will be punched. Dayton could relax on Saturday night and use the Harrisburg match-up as a tune-up for the playoffs.
Tickets for the climactic regular season finale against Harrisburg are still available at Ticketfly.