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| Full name | Cincinnati Dutch Lions Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | The Lions | ||
| Founded | 2013 | ||
| Stadium | Northern Kentucky University (NKU) | ||
| Owners | Mike Mossel | ||
| President | None | ||
| Head Coach | None | ||
| League | USL League Two | ||
| 2019 | 3rd, Great Lakes Division Playoffs: DNQ | ||
| Website | Club website | ||
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The Cincinnati Dutch Lions FC is an American amateur soccer club based in Cincinnati, Ohio, and playing home games in the suburb of Highland Heights, Kentucky. Founded in 2013, the team played in USL League Two. The club went into hiatus during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.
The club was last owned by majority stakeholder Hans Philippo, who purchased the club alongside Club President Robert Rack in January 2017.[1] This new ownership group includes Dr. Suresh Gupta and Mike Mossel, in representation of the Dutch Lions Capital Group, who remain minority owners in the club. Brandon Ponchak was the club's general manager after being hired in March 2017.[2]
Their inaugural match at the Xavier University Soccer Complex on May 9, 2014 featured an appearance by soccer legend Ruud Gullit as he participated in a "Kick the Crossbar" contest and a pre-game ceremony.[3]
The Cincinnati Dutch Lions were created and owned by Dutch Lions Capital Group BV, owners of the New York City Dutch Lions, Dayton Dutch Lions, Florida Gulf Coast Dutch Lions, and the Houston Dutch Lions.[4][5]
CDLFC has found success in their short time including an appearance in the 2016 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The ownership group of Philippo and Rack have made several changes for the club's 2017 season including purchasing a charter bus for the team, moving to the NKU Soccer Stadium as their home field and the creation of a new bar in support of the club.[6]
In November 2019, CDLFC became the first club to join the brand new Ohio Valley Premier League which began play in 2020. Later in 2020 the CDLFC returned to the USL League Two.
- ^ "CDLFC extends ownership group". cdlfc.com. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
- ^ "Brandon Ponchak new Director of Operations". cdlfc.com. Archived from the original on 21 December 2018.
- ^ "Ruud Gullit to visit Cincinnati And Dayton". 10Soccer.com. 10 March 2014. Archived from the original on 11 August 2015. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
- ^ "Cincinnati Dutch Lions FC Joins PDL". United Soccer Leagues (USL). 16 September 2013. Archived from the original on 23 September 2013. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
- ^ "Cincinnati Dutch Lions Joining USL PDL For 2014 Season". Soccer Scene USA. 16 September 2013. Archived from the original on 24 October 2013. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
- ^ Grill, House of Orange Sports Bar and. ""Our House is Your House!!!"". House of Orange Sports Bar and Grill.