Ahead of the Dayton Dutch Lions' USL-PRO season opener on the road against the New York Red Bulls Reserves, Crew Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter has elected to send forward Aaron Schoenfeld and rookie midfielder Fifi Baiden along with the Black & Gold's third-division affiliate in hope of the pair gaining more match fitness and experience.
"It's another step in our relationship with Dayton," Berhalter told TheCrew.com ."We feel we are putting in a lot of time and resources into helping their team and helping ours. I think this is just another move that indicates that."
The tandem joins Ryan Finley, Kevan George, Ross Friedman, Matt Walker and Brad Stuver, who were loaned to the Dutch Lions earlier match. Berhalter looks forward to using the close proximity to Dayton throughout the season to get players more match experience.
"This is a good way for our guys to maintain game fitness and sharpness in a highly competitive environment," he said of the move.
"We'll be looking to do that over the course of the year, for sure."
FULL LIST OF MLS PLAYERS ON LOAN TO LOWER DIVISION SIDES
Outside of the LA Galaxy, who has its own USL-PRO team, Galaxy II, the Crew currently leads the MLS in players on loan to either a USL-PRO or NASL side with seven.
