Founded in 2009, the team plays in USL League Two, the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid.

They were knocked out of the tournament in the quarterfinals by eventual champions Sporting Kansas City 3–0 in front of an away record 15,167 fans.

In 2013, the Lions reached the USL Pro Playoffs for the first time with a record of 10 Wins, 7 Ties and 9 Losses.

[9] The opening match at DOC Stadium, with the presence of two-time FIFA World Player of the Year Ruud Gullit, was a United Soccer League professional soccer game on May 10, 2014, that saw the Dayton Dutch Lions tie the LA Galaxy II, 1–1.

[12] In 2018, the Lions had a record-setting season, matching its best record ever, winning the Great Lakes Division championship and earning qualification for the 2019 U.S. Open Cup.

On January 17, 2011, the Dutch Lions signed a five-year contract with Dutch Eredivisie champions, FC Twente, to foster development of players, academy teams, training practices, and possibly facilitate loans or transfers of players between the two teams.

[13] Additional Dutch Lions clubs have been added over the years and partner with Dayton in branding, best practices, and player considerations.

On December 19, 2013, the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer announced an affiliation with the Dutch Lions which would begin with the 2014 season.

The affiliation meant the opportunity for loans between the two which aim ultimately to improve the quality of play at both clubs.

After the Crew's 2014 opener against D.C. United, the club announced it was sending 5 of its players on loan to the Dutch Lions for the season, including 2013 draft pick, forward Ryan Finley.