WPSL IN CHICAGO PART I: CHICAGO DUTCH LIONS FC

Photo Creditials - Chicago Dutch Lions FC Media

The landscape of soccer in Chicago is as diverse as the city itself. Within a city of over 2.7 million people, lies three WPSL teams: the Chicago Red Stars Reserves, Chicago City SC, and Chicago Dutch Lions FC. Each team brings its own strengths, tactics, and uniqueness to the area, providing ample opportunities on continuing the pathway towards professional soccer at the highest level.

In the first part of this three-part series, the WPSL looks at the newest team in the Lake Michigan Conference: the Chicago Dutch Lions Football Club.

In 2021, the Dutch Lions FC soccer organization added its fifth women’s team to the WPSL. For a group that stretches from north of San Diego to the gulf coast of Florida and up to Washington D.C., it was their first foray into the Chicago soccer scene - although it wouldn’t be an easy task.

There was a lot of uncertainty for the Dutch Lions joining the league during the COVID-19 global pandemic. Initially, the organization planned to field a team with half European players and half U.S.-based, however, due to travel restrictions varying from country to country, plans quickly shifted to a predominately local roster. Outside of a lack of overseas talent, there were other doubts for Dutch Lions Director, Bryan Sutherland.

“We weren’t even sure if we were going to have a season,” said Sutherland. “The games were the bonus. What we sold to the girls was that you’ll come to us and learn a tactical style of football that will take you to the next level of your career.”

After the absence of a 2020 season, the WPSL was able to operate a complete season for 2021, providing the Dutch Lions with a full schedule of matches and a tall task awaiting them as they opened the season to take on the defending conference champions and 2015 WPSL National Champions, the Chicago Red Stars Reserves. The Dutch Lions lost 4-0 but not without a caveat from head coach, Nikhil Erlebach.

“We had 10 days before our first match,” said Erlebach. “That consisted of a total of seven training days. From the beginning, you know, we’re ok with taking one on the chin in the first game. It’s a perfect benchmark for where they [the Red Stars] are.”

Since that defeat, the Dutch Lions have lost just one match in their last six when they fell to the Milwaukee Torrent on June 19^th by just a single goal. As the season progressed, so has the squad’s confidence within the club’s game plan.

The Dutch Lions’ tactics do not fit the usual game plans seen in high schools and colleges around the United States. While physical skill is important, the Dutch Lions aren’t trying to outpace their opponents. The skills they teach are of a Dutch style of play from the 1970s called “Total Football” which states any player that isn’t a goalkeeper is expected to play any role on the field.

Between field players, supporters see short, pinpoint passing, ball control, and waiting for the right opportunity to shoot. For the players in the United States that have grown up with a more direct, physical, and fast type of play, it’s been a breath of fresh air.

“One thing they [the players] all say is that they love the training,” said Sutherland. “It’s like they haven’t been taught this way before. It’s exciting for us and we’re scaring the league right now.”

Scouts have noticed too, reaching out to the Dutch Lions about players that weren’t on the radars of Chicago City SC or the Red Stars Reserves such as Abby Schwartz, an 18-year-old forward, who scored two goals in the June 12^th  victory over Chicago City and midfielder Alexa Quaranta who has logged substantial minutes thus far in the season.

The Dutch Lions leadership team also knows that development is not keeping a player just within their system. With additional eyes on the Dutch Lions players, the club will release each player at the end of the 2021 season in hopes that players want to return - leadership is confident that the players will want to come back.

“We want to spread this kind of football. It’s so fun and pretty to watch. It’s gorgeous,” said Sutherland. “We want to create something for these women going forward and create a type of football that will change the game in the United States.”

Tonight, the Dutch Lions will see how far they’ve grown since the season opener as they welcome the first-place Chicago Red Stars Reserves to Benedictine University in a clash between the top two teams in the Lake Michigan Conference.

The Dutch Lions currently sit in second place with 11 points and a 3-2-2 record.  The Red Star Reserves have outscored their opponents 18/1 this season and hold a 5-0-1 record.  A victory for the Dutch Lions will put them within a point of the Red Stars Reserves and if the Lions can win out with the Red Star Reserves dropping points in their final matches, the conference could have its first new champion in a long time.

Supporters can watch tonight’s match on Eleven Sports, the official streaming partner of the WPSL. The match kicks off at 6:00 p.m. CST.

   Author:  Thomas Costello; @1thomascostello (twitter)
  WPSL Contributor - Central Region