Dynamo to play in new conference, stadium this season

From a new home stadium to a new conference, there are some big changes for the Dayton Dynamo this season. But several fan favorites and a veteran coach are returning, and the rowdy Gem City Squadron will be back in the stands cheering.

With preseason already underway — the Dynamo are on the road today for a match at Detroit City FC — the countdown is on for the May 26 regular-season home opener against defending league champion AFC Cleveland. What you need to know about the Dayton Dynamo:

Home sweet home

After spending their inaugural season at Welcome Stadium, Dayton Dynamo FC will now call Chaminade Julienne’s Roger Glass Stadium home. The new downtown Dayton stadium will provide a more intimate setting and better sight lines.

The field also brings new fan-friendly additions like concessions by W.G. Grinders and beer sales — including two new Dynamo-inspired brews from the Dayton Beer Company. Pregame festivities will add to the fun.

Tickets are $5, $10 or $15. The $15 tickets include food and beverage service at your seat.

New competition

Dayton will again compete in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), but the Dynamo have moved from the Great Lakes West Conference to the East Conference in the NPSL Midwest Region. The team will compete against clubs from Pennsylvania, New York and Ohio, including AFC Cleveland. The Dynamo will play 10 home matches, six against Midwest East Conference foes.

Dayton also will play the Cincinnati Dutch Lions, FC Cincinnati and the Columbus Crew SC U23s in exhibitions.

Dan Griest returns for his first full season as Dynamo coach after assuming the position during the 2016 season. The Springfield native played club soccer for the Centerville Galaxies and played at Butler and Wright State. The former coach of Springfield Northwestern also coaches youth teams with Ohio Galaxies FC.

Familiar faces

The Dynamo return several players, including Eric Hutton, Tristan Lyle, Michael Deyhle and Baye Kébé. Hutton, a midfielder, and Lyle, a striker, play for Wright State. Deyhle, a defender from Cincinnati, is a former Dayton Flyer. Kébé, a defensive midfielder who made his Dynamo debut midway through the 2016 season, is a former member of the Senegal national team and Spartak Moscow.

Young talent

Among the new faces is Hamilton’s Matt Kinkopf, who was a four-year starter at forward for Ohio Northern, amassing 57 goals and 33 assists. Springfield native Tate Robinson, a midfielder from Bowling Green State, and Xenia native Austin Kinley, a Wright State defender, also joined the Dynamo.

International talent will include Brazilian goalkeeper Paulo Pinto, who plays for Cedarville, and midfielder Kristian Moore-Cowell from Essex, England.

For more information on the Dynamo, visit daytondynamo.com.