Year: 2021

After five weeks of matches, every Midwest Premier League East Division team was in action for the first time last week. Detroit City FC’s U23s and BiH Grand Rapids began their league schedules with points while Lansing Common lost their MWPL debut to the East Division-leading West Michigan Bearings. With a slate of three matches in four days, including some midweek fixtures, this week features some enticing matchups that will cap off the first full month of action in the MWPL. Here is your Matchweek Six update from Around the Midwest Premier League’s East Division. 

This weekend’s fixtures

Inter Detroit v. Lansing Common FC (May 28, 2021, 8:00 p.m.)

Lansing Common will go on the road for the first time this season when they play Inter Detroit at Evolution Sportsplex in Auburn Hills. Inter’s only victory thus far came on the road against LK St. Clair two weeks ago. For their efforts in the 3-2 victory, defenders Rick Galvez, Luis Borjas, and Forward Jose Aguilar received MWPL East Division Team of the Week nominations. Players of note from these teams are defender Kyle Scott of Lansing Common FC, who has two goals in two appearances this season, and Inter’s Jose Aguilar, who has three goals for his club. 

Livonia City FC v. Detroit City FC U23 (May 29, 2021, 7:00 p.m.)

Livonia will host the Under 23’s from DCFC in what will be their third match in seven days. Livonia has yet to earn a full three points this season and will go up against a tough opponent in DCFC U23. Le Rouge’s U23 side is coming off a 2-1 victory over Michigan Stars U23, giving the stars their only loss on the season. In order to keep pace with the division leaders, Livonia will look to get a much needed victory at home. 

West Michigan Bearings v. BiH Grand Rapids (June 1, 2021, 8:30 p.m.)

The East Division leaders, West Michigan Bearings, will look to put some distance between themselves and the rest of the Michigan teams when they host BiH Grand Rapids to kick off the June slate of MWPL matches. West Michigan was able to hold off a late comeback attempt by Lansing Common last week while BiH Grand Rapids played to a 0-0 draw against Livonia City in their MWPL debut. Both of these Grand Rapids area teams will be looking for a win: Bearings to solidify their division lead, and BiH to earn some crucial points early in the season. 

Last Week’s Results

Detroit City FC U23 def. Michigan Stars FC U23 (2-1)

After victories over Livonia and LK St. Clair earlier in the week, Michigan Stars’ U23s fell at home to DCFC’s U23s 2-1. The Stars opened the second half by scoring in the 48th minute when Mo Bah found the back of the net, but they wouldn’t hold their one-goal advantage for long. DCFC scored two goals in the next 10 minutes to steal the game from the Stars. DCFC tied the game in the 64th minute with a free-kick goal from Bosh Tanyi and then scored the game-winner with Brady Walker’s bar-down volley 10 minutes later. Le Rouge went home with a 2-1 victory in their MWPL debut. 

West Michigan Bearings def. Lansing Common FC (3-2)

Lansing Common’s late comeback effort came up short and they dropped their MWPL debut to the East Division-leading West Michigan Bearings by a score of 3-2. West Michigan forward Reid Culberson opened the scoring for the Bearings in the 15th minute when he slotted the ball past an outstretched Zac Kelly. The Bearings would later tack on a goal before halftime to take a 2-0 advantage into the break. The woes would continue for Lansing Common as a misplaced pass allowed Jordan Hooker to lob a ball in from 46 yards out into the back of the net to make it 3-0. Lansing’s Kyle Scott and Leutrim Shefkiu would score in the game’s final half hour, but their comeback effort was stalled and the Bearings once again earned a victory on the road. 

BiH Grand Rapids drew v. Livonia City FC (0-0)

Livonia was once again trying to bring home three points, but they would only manage to come up with one after drawing away to BiH Grand Rapids in last Saturday’s nightcap. It was the third time this season that Livonia would draw against an opponent, but it was the first time they would hold them scoreless.  Goalkeepers Peter Arton and Jay Toric earned clean sheets for their respective clubs in the 0-0 draw. 

Michigan Stars FC U23 def. Livonia City FC (2-1) (Wednesday May 26, 2021)

Standings

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

Head coach Josh Oakley and Lansing Common FC will look to get their first Midwest Premier League victory when they travel to Auburn Hills to take on Inter Detroit at Evolution Sportsplex Friday night. This will be the first of two matches that Lansing Common will play this weekend. 

“I am only thinking about the Inter game because it is a league game,” said Oakley. “We know our position, and we need some points out of it. That is really the only thing that has been on my mind the past couple of days.”

Inter Detroit (1-2-0) currently sits third in the East Division standings after completing a three-goal comeback against LK St. Clair on May 15. Jose Aguilar’s late goal in the 92nd minute put the game to bed giving Inter Detroit their first MWPL victory and a crucial three points in the standings. 

It was also Inter’s second two-goal comeback in as many games. 

“They are a good team,” said Oakley. “They are off to a three-game start and have got some points in the league.”

After last week’s 3-2 loss that saw the Robins score two goals after conceding three, Oakley and his team will continue to try and find positive results amid a defensive puzzle. 

“Our defense will be kind of a makeshift on Friday,” said Oakley. “We have got a lot of guys missing and we got some guys stepping into some new roles, so that will be interesting with how that goes.”

The backline for Lansing Common has been consistent so far this season with Kyle Scott and Dante Morrissette on the flanks and Aidan O’Conner and Travis Hamers in the middle. However, with multiple center-backs out, the Robins will be forced to start a different backline against a dangerous Inter Detroit attack. 

Even though fullbacks have contributed to three of Lansing Common’s five goals in all competitions this season, the offensive spark needed from forwards showed in the final half-hour against West Michigan and has improved this week.

“We are starting to gel on the offensive side of the ball, which is very important because we need to do a lot of work on that end,” said Oakley. “The offensive side of the ball, probably, is going to be under the biggest microscope for the coaching staff.”

After dealing with the blazing sun last weekend, the Robins will get a chance to play indoors on a cold, rainy night in metro Detroit. This will be the perfect opportunity for Lansing Common to work on their tactics in a controlled environment where wind and heat fatigue will not be an issue.

“The game plan is to make the game in their half of the field. When I say that, it means to be there, not just to play the ball there, but to control the ball there, control the game, and control our chances,” said Oakley. “Possession in the opponent’s half is probably the toughest possession to have, but it is the most fruitful.”

Kickoff for Friday night’s road game is scheduled for 8:00 p.m.

A late comeback was not enough to secure a point as Lansing Common FC fell in their Midwest Premier League debut 3-2 against the West Michigan Bearings.

Lansing Common FC will kick off its first-ever game at Eastern Stadium on Saturday, May 15. Head Coach Josh Oakley and his team will debut their season in a friendly match-up against Fort Wayne Sport Club.

“A lot of people worked hard to get this team together, and I’m very excited to get started,” said Oakley. 

Oakley’s coaching staff for this season includes John Greer, Brent Sorg, Nick Strait, and Mike Mignano. More information about each coach can be found here.

The first official practice began on May 6 at Eastern Stadium, where the team added six trialists onto the final roster and started training regularly. Oakley’s squad of 33 players is ready to bring high-level men’s soccer back to the city of Lansing. 

“I coached a lot of these players at the club level when they were young kids, and to be able to coach them after so many years is special for me,” said Oakley.

The team features players from different colleges and soccer programs across the state, including six from Spring Arbor University, two from Michigan State University, and six from Western Michigan University. 

This team will play together until July 31 in a series of friendlies and league games in the Midwest Premier League’s East Division. 

Oakley faced Saturday’s opponent recently.

“My team in the past season played them (Fort Wayne) in a scrimmage where we got to see their players,” Oakley said. “We’re excited, and having played them before gives us a good chance to prepare well.”

Fort Wayne Sport Club recently defeated Cincinnati Soccer Club in the second round of the Region II Amateur Cup, where Fort Wayne won 5-0 on April 25. They will face Ann Arbor FC in the quarterfinals on Saturday, May 22. 

Oakley will take advantage of the friendly’s unlimited substitutions to experiment and rotate the squad against Fort Wayne. 

“We want to play as many of our players as we can against Fort Wayne,” Oakley said. “This gives a chance to see what players are like in match situations, as opposed to training.” 

Saturday’s kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 PM at Eastern Stadium in Lansing. 

How to Watch

Home games will be streamed live on the Lansing Common FC YouTube page. Games will also be streamed live at Ozone’s Brewhouse in Old Town.

Game Day Information

Saturday, May 15th – 6:00PM – Eastern Stadium

Gates open at 4:30PM. Face masks required for entry. Capacity is limited to 450 spectators.

Click here to review the stadium’s COVID-19 guidelines.

To reduce stadium entry wait times, please complete your COVID-19 self-screening prior to your arrival by using workplace code 6995-6140 at https://misymptomapp.state.mi.us/.

Tickets are available for purchase through the Midwest Premier League’s ticketing partner Passage: https://app.gopassage.com/venues/3483