Dayton Dutch Lions FC opens its USL League Two regular season this weekend. The Dutch Lions FC host USL2 Great Lakes Division neighbor, Kings Hammer, at DOC Stadium in West Carrollton on Saturday, May 15 at 7:00 PM.
With the cancellation of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the match marks the first return to meaningful action for the Dutch Lions FC in 672 days.
"Guys are looking forward to being able to play games regularly again," said Dutch Lions FC Head Coach and Technical Director Sid van Druenen. "Most had a college spring season, so the transition into USL2 has been much smoother than in years past."
Van Druenen returns to the helm of the Dayton Dutch Lions FC USL2 team after spending the last few years coaching at the college and club levels around the Miami Valley.
"It feels natural, to be honest," said
Van Druenen when asked how it feels to be back in charge of Dayton's USL2 team.
"I have enjoyed the first couple of months back and am excited about all
the things we have going on."
It might also be natural for a rivalry to form between the Dutch Lions FC and Cincinnati-based Kings Hammer, a 2021 USL2 expansion team. The new neighbor to the south makes its USL2 debut in the wake of the demise of a previous rival in the Queen City.
The head coach for that rival was current Kings Hammer Head Coach Paul Nicholson. The Dayton Dutch Lions FC have a 3-3-1 all-time record against teams led by Nicholson.
The Dutch Lions FC look to take the game to the opponent every match of the season, regardless of who that opponent is. "Fans can expect an exciting and attacking style of play all season," said Van Druenen. "We have been working hard to get everyone on the same page and gelling together. Won't be a finalized product on Saturday, but it will be fun and entertaining to watch."