For the past several weeks, the Dutch Lions players have received phone calls, emails, text messages and even Skype calls on interested clubs in Europe (mostly Holland) to return back to play in the upcoming season. Unlike the American professional soccer system, most professional soccer seasons start in late Summer and run through the late months of Spring. While this may seem strange to many Americans, it actually works out well for teams in the MLS, USL, NASL and more; especially the Dutch Lions. While players oversees continue to make a name for themselves, American clubs can help develop these players even more in its regular season, which is the "off-season" for many European clubs.
With this in mind, several Dutch Lions players travel back to Europe to play in the upcoming 2010-2011 Season. Two players, Julius Wille and Bruce Godvliet left yesterday to join clubs in The Netherlands. Both players will begin training immediately following their touch down in their home country. Midfielder Julius Wille is looking to return to 2nd division side, AGOVV Apeldoorn, where he will be looking to regain a spot in its current roster; a team that finished in 6th place in the Eerste Division last season.
DDL Defender Bruce Godvliet will be going to 3rd Division club, VV Katwijk, who will play in the newly-restructured "Topklasse Division". Godvliet was picked up by the Katwijk after dealings were made through fellow DDL player, Bas Ent, who previously played for the club in Holland.
Long-time Dutch veteran player, Hans van de Haar will also be returning to his home country, to play for one of the top teams in the "Topklasse" Division, SV Spakenburg. Spakenburg is reportedly interested in signing Wille as well.
The strong defensive midfielder, Johan Wigger, will return to the German side, SV Meppen. Wigger will leave next week for the famous 5th division club, who has had stints in Germany's 2nd, 3rd and 4th Divisions throughout its years.
On the American side of the Dutch Lions squad, several players will continue their soccer careers in either playing or coaching. Midfielder Alex VanderSluijs will continue his preparations for Defiance College, where he is the Head Coach for both the Men's and Women's teams in Northern Ohio. His experience at the professional level will be an extremely large boost for development in the shaky programs at DC.
Also on the coaching side will be local Kyle Segebart. Segebart, who came on strong for the Dutch Lions late in the season, will be off to Nebraska to join the coaching staff of Midland Lutheran College. Midland Lutheran, who won Great Plains Athletic Conference last year, is a NAIA Soccer Powerhouse. Segebart will join the staff to help bolster its 2010 roster and a run to the NAIA National Championships.
Two American players, Andrew Giallombardo and Evan Schwartz, are also among the DDL players who will be looking to make the jump across the pond for the season. Giallombardo is coming off a successful season at the Dutch Lions after taking 1.5 years off the game for personal reasons. He continues to get in form as he once was for Southampton (England) and representing the US Under 20's squad. Schwartz, who formerly played in Iceland's Top Division, had an up-and-down season in Dayton due to nagging injuries. His ability to lockdown quick attacking strikers was critical in the DDL's inaugural season. On Monday, Schwartz underwent knee surgery after a torn MCL took him out of the final match at Chicago last weekend. His full and quick recovery will be important in order for him to regain form for a European club.
Several other DDL players will be either looking to play stateside in professional Indoor Leagues, or hold coaching sessions year-round, as well as some of them helping in the premier Dutch Lions Academy; which gets underway this coming Monday in Dayton.
For more information on the Dutch Lions FC, visit the club's main site at www.dutchlionsfc.com.
