Retired professional soccer player, Paul Nicholson, has been named head coach of the Cincinnati Dutch Lions Football Club ahead of the 2018 PDL season.
One of the first 11 signings, Coach Nicholson played central defender for FC Cincinnati for the 2016 and 2017 USL seasons playing in 37 matches. Before his time in the Queen City, Nicholson played for the Wilmington Hammerheads for five seasons in the USL. In his professional career, he had 153 appearances, scored seven goals, became the fourth player in USL history to log 10,000 minutes played, and is in the top ten in games played.
During the retirement announcement, FC Cincinnati President and General Manager Jeff Berding said, “Paul was well-respected in the locker room and he will be missed. He was an original member of our franchise and we thank him for his hard work on the field and for being a great ambassador for FCC off the pitch. Paul has been mentoring youth soccer players since he moved to Cincinnati, and we wish him well in his coaching career.”
Paul Nicholson said, “I’m very excited to take the next step in my career and extremely grateful to be given the opportunity by the Cincinnati Dutch Lions. From my short time with the Club, it seems like a fantastic place to coach and a top destination for aspiring professional soccer players. I want to thank Hans Philippo, Mike Mossel, and Bob Rack for giving me this opportunity. I know first-hand the importance of the PDL experience and CDLFC has all the resources to become a top club.”
“The Cincinnati Dutch Lions have created a highly professional environment for players to develop, compete, and excel. Prospective professional players can achieve their dreams of professional soccer through CDLFC as five players have already moved into the professional ranks and with more signings coming soon,” Brandon Ponchak, general manager and assistant coach. “Landing a coach like Paul is an incredible grab for our Club. Paul has the PDL and professional experience that can help our players continue to the next levels.”
The Premier Development League is the proven path to pro in North American soccer. The PDL is an important stepping-stone for top professionals now playing throughout the world. Nearly 70 percent of all MLS draftees since 2010 have PDL experience. In 2017, the PDL has 375 alumni in USL, 223 alumni in MLS, and over 120 in other leagues across the world.
Season tickets to all home games at Northern Kentucky University are now available and can be purchased now through the CDLFC web shop for 30% discount using code DECDLFCEMBER. All season tickets include a 20% off 1 (one) appetizer at House of Orange Sports Bar & Grill. Show your season ticket every time you dine any time in 2018! Tickets will not be shipped until after the schedule release in January.
Cincinnati Dutch Lions
