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.
Is anyone left to play?
ReplyDeleteThe season is over in Dayton. Some will return for next season, but as DDL gears up for a division-higher; roster changes will occur.
ReplyDeleteLast story July 29th.. Ouch. Little tip on blogging, there has to be something substantial/informative every few days or the blog turns into a dead blog. Nothing on Silooy, a video would of been nice on Ent's thoughts on the Crew trial (instead of just a quick Q & A write up on the main site), a players abroad update thing. Coaching search updates, try out updates. Anything.
ReplyDeleteSame with the Oranje Corner. It was last updated August 17th and it's academy season. How about a video of some kids talking about their experience or a couple game write ups.
Same with the facebook. It's been pretty dead except for some sporadic things. It shot up from 700 fans to 1400 fans over the last two months.. And has just sat there at the same lately.
I know it's the offseason, but there really is no offseason because then people that had an interest forget about your team and forget about next year; As they're on to the next thing that captures their interest online.
Just trying to give a word of advice and help out. These blogs need to be updated way more.
Even give Jacq access to The Oranje Corner.. Let her put all her write ups and videos of the academy on there. Because really all the academy write ups shouldn't be on the main website because most people that go there are not going there to find out how the U-12 girls are doing.
ReplyDeleteEverything that she has been doing, videos and pictures and write ups, would be excellent to go on that Oranje Corner page. Just a thought. Then just one write up a week or two weeks on the main page on how the teams have done in there last few games and to go to the Oranje Corner for more info.
At the moment the Oranje Corner is the main website when it shouldn't be. Just some thoughts.
Bring back the old blog! At least that one was updated. What is happening with the players? Any Americans going overseas? Any players cut and not returning? Will any of the dutch players return now that Silooy is gone?
ReplyDelete