Lansing Common Announces 2021 Season Schedule
Lansing Common FC announces its 2021 Midwest Premier League schedule. The club kicks off its inaugural season May 15 at Eastern Stadium.
Lansing Soccer Doubleheader Coming to Eastern Stadium on June 6
Lansing’s two highest level women’s and men’s soccer teams announced today that they will host a double-header on June 6 at Eastern Stadium. Lansing United will kick off at 2 pm against Chicago KICS FC, and Lansing Common FC will follow with a matchup against the Grand Haven Admirals.
Lansing United, whose women’s team began play in 2018, competes in the United Women’s Soccer Midwest Conference. Lansing Common FC kicks off its inaugural season this year as a member of the Midwest Premier League. Both teams are made up of high-level amateur players primarily from the Lansing area.
“We’re excited to have the opportunity to host Lansing United and put on an event that will showcase some of the best men’s and women’s soccer Lansing has to offer,” said Lansing Common president Eric Walcott. “Many of us involved with Lansing Common are long-time Lansing United supporters so it’s great to be able to partner with them on this event.”
“We are excited to partner with Lansing Common on what will be a great day of soccer at Lansing Eastern, we appreciate the club hosting this doubleheader,” said Lansing United President and CEO Jeremy Sampson. “We hope that the soccer fans in Lansing will enjoy watching both of these high-level teams compete on the same day.”
Ticket info for the event will be available at a later date.
Lansing United’s complete 2021 schedule was announced this week and is available at lanunited.com.
Lansing Common will announce its schedule in early April and more information can be found at lansingcommonfc.com.
Getting to Know Lirim Shefkiu
As our inaugural season approaches, we wanted to give you more of an introduction to the players who will represent Lansing Common on the field this summer. Today, it’s time to get to know Lirim Shefkiu.
Getting to Know Zac Kelly
As our inaugural season approaches, we wanted to give you more of an introduction to the players who will represent Lansing Common on the field this summer. Today, it’s time to get to know Zac Kelly.
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Getting to Know Leutrim Shefkiu
As our inaugural season approaches, we wanted to give you more of an introduction to the players who will represent Lansing Common on the field this summer. Today, it’s time to get to know Leutrim Shefkiu.
Getting to Know Julian Birge
As our inaugural season approaches, we wanted to give you more of an introduction to the players who will represent Lansing Common on the field this summer. Today, it’s time to get to know Julian Birge.
What position do you play and what do you think Lansing Common fans will enjoy most about the way you play?
I play center mid, primarily defensive. I think Lansing Common fans will enjoy my work rate, intensity, and the fact that I play simple with the ball.
You were named captain after your freshman season at Alma. Now you are also a coach at East Lansing High School. Coach Oaks noted you will be one of the team’s most senior players, so I imagine you will be a leader on this team as well. What kind of leadership style would you say you have? And is leadership something you have always gravitated towards?
I’d say I lead more by example than anything else, but over the years I’ve grown into being a little bit more vocal. It wasn’t something I was always comfortable with as a younger player, but I do feel it is always something I’ve wanted to be. I hope that I can lead by example not only with the way I play, but with the way I carry myself and treat my teammates.
What is the most important lesson you think you will be able to impart on our younger players?
I think just that the minor details really matter, and that comes with intense focus and effort. Always paying attention and learning from your mistakes rather than letting them affect you negatively.
Despite being out of college, and working as a coach, you have been continuing to play at this level in the summer. What motivates you to keep going with what is a heavy time commitment when you have so much other stuff going on in your life?
I think I just still feel that I have more to give as a player. It has been my greatest passion for so long, I’m just not ready to give up playing at a high level. I know I can’t do this when I get older, so I just want to get the absolute most out of myself as a player while I still can.
In an article with Oakland County FC, you noted how important Coach Oaks was to your development. What is it about his coaching style that clicked with you in your college career?
I got to know Oaks first when he was my assistant club coach my junior and senior year of high school. The belief he showed in me from the very start just gave me so much confidence. He was one of the people who believed in me before I believed in myself. It is more about who he is as a person that helped me develop and grow into the player I am today. I play better when I know the coach has confidence in me, and he showed me that he did every day.
What was your favorite moment you have ever had on a soccer field?
This is a tough question, because there are a handful of really great memories. Some of the goals I’ve scored have been fun to look back on, but I’d have to go with my senior year at Alma when we won our conference tournament semi-final game to make it to the conference finals. That game is maybe the best game I have been a part of, and I was able to share it with my Alma family, which made it even better.
What hobbies do you have when you aren’t playing soccer?
I love hanging out with my friends and family, playing and watching other sports such as basketball, tennis, and volleyball, and I like to play a bit of piano and sing on occasion.
Stay tuned for more player profiles and details on our upcoming Midwest Premier League season. Season tickets and memberships are still available for the 2021 season, get yours today!
Lansing Common FC Announces First Player Signings
Lansing Common FC took the next step towards the 2021 MWPL season this week, signing four players from the greater Lansing area.
Erika Weadock: Community Engagement Chair
Get to know Lansing Common FC Community Outreach Chair Erika Weadock, how she became a soccer fan, and some goals she has for the club.
Brent Sorg Announced as Lansing Common FC Assistant Coach
Brent Sorg has been named as an assistant coach for Lansing Common FC, which begins play in the Midwest Premier League in May. Sorg, currently the men’s soccer assistant coach at Spring Arbor University, joins Head Coach Josh Oakley’s staff alongside fellow assistant John Greer.
“I am super excited to be joining the Lansing Common FC coaching staff,” said Sorg. “Since the announcement of the club, the enthusiasm, energy, and passion have laid a foundation for exactly what lies ahead. I’m thankful for the opportunity and look forward to seeing the product on the pitch this summer.”
“Brent will be another great addition to Lansing Common,” said head coach Josh Oakley. “He has served this community for many many years both on the soccer field and off. Naturally, he will be a terrific ambassador for our club locally. He brings experience at nearly all levels of the game to the touchline, along with solid connections in Lansing and statewide to further help us attract the right players.”
Sorg has been an assistant on Oakley’s staff since 2017, first at Alma College for two seasons, and then at Spring Arbor. Prior to that, Sorg was the boys soccer coach at Williamston High School for 12 years, compiling a record of 151-90-21, and leading the team to its first district championship in the program’s history. Sorg’s Williamston teams won six league championships, seven district championships, one Regional Title, and reached the Division 3 State Finals in 2012, 2014, and 2015.
Sorg is a seven-time winner of the Michigan High School Soccer Coaches Association (MIHSSCA) District Coach of the Year, three-time MIHSSCA Regional Coach of the Year, and was named MIHSSCA Coach of the Year for all of Michigan in 2014. He was also named Lansing State Journal Coach of the Year in 2012. Sorg earned his “B” License from the United States Soccer Association in 1999 and his U.S. Youth National License in 2010.
“We’re excited to add Brent to the coaching staff,” said Lansing Common president Eric Walcott. “He’s got a ton of experience and a history of success in Lansing-area high school and youth soccer. Oaks (Head Coach Josh Oakley) has put together a strong coaching staff and we can’t wait to see what they’re able to put together on the field.”
In addition to Spring Arbor, Sorg is currently the head coach of the Michigan Olympic Development Soccer Program and coaches the ‘07 boys team at Cap City Athletic 1847 in Lansing.