The Dutch Lions are a new team in the WPSL playing in just their second season, many in New York don’t even know they exist because soccer is not a big sport here in New York. That is not only a shame but further proof that the US Federation for Soccer needs to do better. You’re talking about the largest league in the country that is responsible for helping create Rose LaVelle, Brandi Chastain, Kristin Lilly, Heather Mitts, Julie Foudy, Shannon Box, Alex Morgan, Leslie Osborn, Tobin Heath, Megan Rapinoe, Catarina Macario, Jaelin Howell, and more.
The Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) hit a significant milestone this year, being in its 25th season! From league expansion to fostering an unparalleled culture of growth and mentorship to future goals and ambitions, here’s what it means for the WPSL to be in its landmark 25th season.
The league has players in the WSL, NWSL, National Teams around the globe, Serie A, Westfield W-League, Vendsyssfel FF, KSI, D1 Feminine FFF, and many more.
In the last five National Women’s Soccer League Drafts, 109 former WPSL players were selected – over 54%. Of these players, 42 WPSL teams were represented with at least one alumna being drafted.
New York has a team in this league and they’re fun to watch, is it the best soccer you may ever see probably not, but what you do get the rare opportunity to watch is players developing in front of your eyes who will have a good chance at developing into first league players, players who represent your home country, your home team, be leaders on new expansion teams, you get the rare opportunity to say I saw them when they were still developing into the stars they’re today. Not many people get to say they saw Alex Morgan before she became Alex Morgan, the same for Rose Lavelle, and others who have gone on from this amazing development league to play around the world and reach the pinnacle of the game.
(The interview with the coach was placed here for a reason, please listen to the entire interview)!!
Spoke with Head Coach Rogier Schultz of @NYDLFC following the team’s historic WPSL win and clean sheet last night!!!
— Bad Dawg Sports (@jj_pavlick) June 19, 2023
Great Interview with the coach and he also mentions exciting news about one of their players who now plays overseas as of last night!#WPSL #DutchLionsNY… pic.twitter.com/SL5MIKfljD
The Dutch Lions of New York won their first match in the young club’s history, they also saw their goalkeeper who is brilliant in goal earn her first clean sheet. Their coach Rogier Schultz when interviewed post-game you could see the excitement in his eyes for what just happened at Aviator in Brooklyn, NY. We could’ve honestly talked for days about his program and players and believe me there will be more articles coming on the Dutch Lions of New York in the WPSL. This development league deserves recognition and praise for what it’s accomplished for the game of soccer here in the United States and around the world.
The match was filled with action, both teams battling hard for two exhausting halves of play, every player on both sides gave everything they had that night and left it all out on the pitch in front of a few hundred fans. That was the only shameful part of such a brilliant game, they should’ve seen more in the stands outside of family, friends, and the few locals that know about the league. We see MLS Next Pro fill more seats for a league that is identical to WPSL just a lot younger. The Women’s World Cup is right around the corner, we should be out supporting the players at all levels not just when they make it to the big leagues. Without the WPSL many of today’s stars might not be today’s stars. That would be a major tragedy for the beautiful game.
The goal for the Dutch Lions came late in the match in the second half when Katelyn Herbert found space on the right flank and took the ball toward goal unleashing a beautifully bent ball into the 1st post upper 90 for the eventual game-winner. The win didn’t come easy for the Lion’s they had to hold on against a furious attack by Brooklyn City FC, they were not about to just accept defeat off a late goal. Instead, they cranked it up and pushed the Lions backward, but the strong backline and the amazing play of goalkeeper Ludesha Reynolds foiled all the plans of glory Brooklyn may have had in mind. For Ludesha it was her first career clean sheet for the club. A huge feat for her and her teammates who have battled the entire summer season. The club will resume play on Tuesday, June 20th at Randalls Island against Downtown United Soccer Club on field #10. Game time is set for 7:00 PM EST. If you’re in the area come down and enjoy some solid soccer under the amazing NYC landscape and summer weather.
Photos by Bad Dawg Sports and Dutch Lions FC
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