Month: June 2021

Matchweek Six saw plenty of surprises as the East Division standings look a little different than they did seven days ago. West Michigan’s high-powered attack was stifled by their local rivals BiH Grand Rapids, while Lansing Common and Detroit City U23s made big moves last week with much-needed victories. Heading into Matchweek Seven, there could be a new division leader after Sunday night; and while no team can be eliminated from title contention this week, championship hopes could get exponentially smaller for some. Here is your Matchweek Seven preview for the Midwest Premier League’s East Division.

This weekend’s fixtures

Michigan Stars FC U23 v. LK St. Clair (June 3, 2021, 8:00 p.m.)

Once again Michigan Stars FC U23 has a busy weekend with two matches in four days, starting June 3 when they host LK St. Clair. The Stars have had a good start to their season with their only blemish being a 2-1 loss to Detroit City’s U23 squad. LK St. Clair, on the other hand, is still searching for that elusive first victory and currently sits bottom of the table. St. Clair will look to make the return fixture more competitive after falling at home two weeks ago to the Stars, 5-1. 

Detroit City FC U23 v. West Michigan Bearings (June 5, 2021, 4:00 p.m.)

Saturday has only one East Division matchup when formerly-undefeated West Michigan Bearings go on the road to take on an undefeated Detroit City. The Bearings are coming off their first loss of the season when they fell 2-1 in the Grand Rapids derby to BiH Grand Rapids. Detroit City is coming off a 5-0 thrashing of Livonia and have scored seven goals in two games this season. West Michigan will have a chance to maintain their division lead with a victory, while DCFC could make things interesting at the top of the table with a full three points. 

Michigan Stars FC U23 v. Inter Detroit (June 6, 2021, 4:00 p.m.)

Inter Detroit will look to get back into the win column when they travel to play a Michigan Stars U23 squad that will be playing its second match in four days. Inter’s comeback effort last Friday against Lansing Common was cut short and they were handed their first loss of the season. The Stars, however, have performed well during a congested period of fixtures and currently sit second in the East Division. Inter Detroit will have their hands full as they look to get their second victory of the season, while the Stars may have an opportunity to overtake West Michigan for the East Division lead with an exciting showcase this weekend.

LK St. Clair v. Livonia City FC (June 6, 2021, 4:00 p.m.)

Matchweek Seven concludes with a battle at the bottom of the table as the only two winless teams in the East Division square off on Sunday. LK St. Clair will be coming off a midweek away match against Michigan Stars, while Livonia will be coming off a 5-0 thumping at the hands of Detroit City. The first meeting between the two sides finished 1-1, but both teams know how important this reverse fixture is in terms of their title hopes. Livonia has already played seven games while LK St. Clair will conclude the week having played six. Both teams will look to keep their title-chasing hopes alive with a much-needed three points on the line. 

Last Week’s Results

Lansing Common FC def. Inter Detroit (2-1)

Lansing Common scored twice within the first 45 minutes while fielding a makeshift pair of center-backs and then managed to hold off a late comeback effort to earn their first MWPL victory. The Robins were without their four registered center-backs but found production from the backline when defender Julian Birge netted the game’s opening goal. Lansing Common continued to keep Inter away from their goal and Shady Omar’s header just before halftime gave the visitors a 2-0 lead going into the break. Gabe Baylon would score from the penalty spot for Inter’s only goal  and Lansing Common would leave Evolution Sportsplex with three points. 

Detroit City FC U23 def. Livonia City FC (5-0)

Detroit City’s under 23s blasted Livonia in a game that saw Le Rouge dominate the match from beginning to end. The 2-0 scoreline at halftime was still manageable for Livonia after they had conceded goals to Brady Walker and Benedik Tanyi. However, DCFC would seal the victory when Shion Soga converted a penalty in the 56th minute. Le Rouge would tack on two more goals in the final 10 minutes and earn a clean sheet and a valuable three points on the road.

BiH Grand Rapids def. West Michigan Bearings (2-1) (Tuesday, June 1, 2021)

Matchweek Six was capped off with the Grand Rapids derby. The Bearings opened the scoring when Isaac Braak’s volley from just outside the 18-yard box found the back of the net. However, BiH would equalize shortly before halftime when the Bearings turned the ball over in their half and Chris Mendez curled a shot inside the far post that would send both teams to the locker rooms deadlocked at one goal apiece. Things would get worse for the Bearings when a handball was called against Isaac Braak inside the six-yard box. Jacob Pellerito would convert the penalty kick and BiH would hold onto the lead to hand the division-leading Bearings their first defeat of the season.

Standings

1. West Michigan Bearings (3-1-1, 10 points in 5 GP)
2. Michigan Stars FC U23 (3-0-1, 9 points in 4 GP)
3. Detroit City FC U23 (2-0-0, 6 points in 2 GP)
4. Inter Detroit (1-2-1, 5 points in 4 GP)
5. BiH Grand Rapids (1-1-0, 4 points in 2 GP)
6. Lansing Common FC (1-0-1, 3 points in 2 GP)
7. Livonia City FC (0-3-4, 3 points in 7 GP)
8. LK St. Clair (0-1-3, 1 point in 4 GP)