5/25/2010: Dutch Lions vs. Indiana Invaders Preview

The Dutch Lions over the weekend won a physical contest against the Michigan Bucks in Michigan, now the Lions turn their sights back to their orange den (Miami Valley South Stadium) for a contest against the Indiana Invaders on Wednesday, May 26th at 7 p.m.. The Dutch Lions may have expected the Michigan Bucks to be their toughest opponent in the Dutch Lions early season/Open Cup qualifying schedule, but the Lions cannot overlook the Indiana Invaders who've had a strong start to their season as well. As the Invaders squad has split their two results so far this season with a 2-1 away win against the Cincinnati Kings (who the Dutch Lions tied to start the season) and a 1-0 nail biting, home defeat against the PDL Chicago Fire. The PDL Chicago Fire also appear to be the Lions toughest competitor for the Great Lakes Division's Open Cup spot which makes the Indiana Invaders nail biter (decided on a penalty kick) against the Fire even more impressive (for more breakdown on the Open Cup race, click here). Therefore, looking at the Invaders results so far this season, the Dutch Lions must be geared up for another battle tomorrow night.



The Dayton Dutch Lions are also hoping that their loyal fans will be pumped up as well considering the squad is halfway to their first goal which consists of a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup spot. The Dutch Lions want a good, boisterous crowd tomorrow that will carry the boys to victory; as Indiana and possibly even Kalamazoo both look to be stiffer tests for the Lions than the two teams that Chicago still has to play (Cincinnati and Cleveland).

Head Coach Sonny Silooy last night on the game against the Indiana Invaders:
"I expect this to be one of our tougher games of the season. The team is getting better and better. But the pressure is on us to win at home and to be the best because were the Dutch Lions."

This was also the consensus in interviews with four Dutch Lion players with WDTN Channel 2 NBC last night, link here. As the players said that the team is getting better and better but that the Dutch Lions will not be underestimating the Indiana Invaders.

Also expect the Dutch Lions to come out and press the whole game because if the Dutch Lions win all four of their games and the PDL Chicago Fire win all four of theirs as well then the team with the greater goal differential will be invited to the U.S. Open Cup. Currently, the Dutch Lions (+4) lead the PDL Chicago Fire (+3) on goal differential.

Many different groups have been invited to tomorrow's game for free as a part of Chipotle Group Night, to see if you have been invited or can still be included check out the following link.

Go Lions!