On Easter Sunday, the DDL FC youth coaches had the opportunity to meet some US Men's Soccer team players and interact with the Head Coach, Jurgen Klinsmann.
After the agreement on a multiyear partnership with Nike, The Dutch Lions FC youth coaches
were invited by Nike for an informative meeting with the USA national team. On Sunday, the Dayton Dutch Lions youth coaches arrived in Columbus for an one hour Q&A meeting with Jürgen Klinsmann (head coach of the USA national team) and other Ohio youth coaches. During this meeting they discussed a lot of topics around the development of American soccer. Youth academy manager Shane Smith had the following to say: “It was a fantastic honor for me to attend this Q&A session with Jürgen Klinsmann. His willingness to share his time, experience, and positivity with Ohio youth coaches is definitely a moment I will cherish throughout my coaching career.”
Youth and PDL Assistant Coach coach Bruno Lopes said: “It is always positive for us as coaches to be in contact with different realities and perspectives about this beautiful game we call soccer. It was definitely a great experience for all of us."
After the meeting, our coaches had the chance to look inside the organization of the US National Team and had the privilege of seeing how they prepare themselves for the upcoming CONCACAF qualifying game on Tuesday against Guatemala at Columbus Crew Stadium.
Youth Coach Daan de Blank said: “I am glad that I had the opportunity to be here today. It was instructive to hear all different kind of opinions about the way we can develop soccer in America to a higher level. Beside the coaching related side it was for me as a soccer player also very interesting to see how these professional players prepare themselves for an important game.”
At the end there was some time to take some pictures before the USA national team left the hotel for their training session and our coaches drove back to Dayton.
The Dayton Dutch Lions want to thank Nike and everybody who was involved in making this day a great experience.