Month: February 2022

Today, Lansing Common officially becomes a member of the Anti-Racist Soccer Club (ARSC) coalition. Lansing Common is a club for the community, built by the community, and dedicated to celebrating the rich soccer culture in the Lansing area by combining soccer with impact in our community.

We know that without actively engaging in the work of anti-racism we cannot be the force for the good we strive to be. We also know the history of businesses and sports teams making empty proclamations and hollow commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion. That’s why it’s important to us that accountability is part of the ARSC process, and that our 10-point plan is a public document, as well as an invitation for people in our community to join us in our efforts, let us know whose work we can amplify and support, and let us know when we’re falling short.

When Lansing Common announced last summer that the club was seeking community input to inform its plan as part of membership in the ARSC coalition, the club received responses from all across Lansing and the region. To the Board, and the committed group of members and volunteers who spent the following months turning that input into a 10-point plan to guide Lansing Common’s actions as part of the coalition, this was reinforcement that fans and people across the community are committed to working towards change and see the role that sports can play in combating racism in our communities.

“We are really excited to work with Lansing Common,” said ARSC Co-founder Brandon Miller. They are an organization that have shown a commitment to serving their community and using their platform as an organization to be a positive influence in the soccer space. I can’t wait to see more organizations like them join the coalition!”

The 10-point plan is not an end, it’s a beginning. As goals are met and new opportunities present themselves, the items in the plan may shift, but our commitment is to work alongside our players, our staff, our members, and our community to understand and address racism and its impacts in soccer and our community. You can read our 10-point plan on our website, and please contact us on social media or by email with questions, ideas, or to get involved.

As part of our ARSC membership, one of our home games this season will be ARSC Night at Lansing Common. This will be an opportunity to learn more about ARSC and opportunities to engage in our work as members of the coalition. The event will also feature a Juneteenth event in partnership with Black-led organizations and Black-led small businesses from Lansing, honoring Juneteenth and sharing opportunities to support local Juneteenth celebrations.

Lansing Common FC will kick off the 2022 season on May 7 at 6:00 PM at Eastern Stadium, as they take on Ann Arbor FC. The match will mark the start of Lansing Common’s second season, after a successful 2021 season in which the Robins went 10-1-3 to finish 2nd in the Midwest Premier League East Division.

The Robins will compete in the Midwest Premier League in 2022. They will be joined in the East Division by Livonia City FC, Michigan Stars, Inter Detroit, Cedars FC, Michigan Jaguars, BiH Grand Rapids, West Michigan Bearings, Tulip City United, Detroit Union, and the Grand Haven Admirals. The full MWPL schedule will be announced later this spring. 

Lansing Common will again play home games at Lansing Eastern Stadium, located at 400 N Pennsylvania Ave in Lansing, and tickets for all home games will be just $5. Tickets to the home opener are now on sale by clicking here. Anyone wishing to join the club as a member, which includes a season ticket, can do so by visiting the team’s Membership page. 

The club has announced the first 8 players that will make up its 2022 roster and will be holding open tryouts in March for interested players. Tryouts will take place on March 6 and 27 at Eastern Stadium. Interested players should visit the registration page for more information. 

Lansing Common FC announced their first signings of the 2022 season today, bringing back two key players from their successful 2021 season and adding a local high school standout. 

Returning to The Robins for the 2022 season are captain Julian Birge (East Lansing/Alma College) and Munir Sherali (Haslett/Eastern Illinois University). Birge and Sherali were instrumental in seeing Lansing Common go 10-1-3 and finish 2nd in the Midwest Premier League in their inaugural season. Birge was second on the team with 7 goals. 

On Birge’s return to the Robins, Head Coach Josh Oakley said: “How vital is it to have a first-class leader back with your group? To me, it’s a must-have, and I am so grateful that our captain returns for us. As our team gets a little younger this year, Jules remains that force that will drive us forward on the field and off.”

“Munir was our best player in the first month of last year,” Oakley said of Sherali. “He was sharp in training, great on the ball, and just as good without it. We will be counting on him to provide even more for our team this year, starting with an important helping of leadership. He knows what we are after here, and as he helps us take aim at it, I expect him to be in great form all summer long.”

Also joining Lansing Common this summer is Holt standout Guershom Sylvain, who earned First Team All-State honors this past season and is committed to play for Detroit Mercy in the fall. 

“I think everyone associated with our club and community is as excited as I am to welcome this young man to our team,” continued Oakley. “His gifts and talent are obvious, and I can’t wait to get started working with Guershom. We are a team that really likes to score goals and I am confident he can do that and more for Lansing Common in his first year with us.”

In 2022, Lansing Common looks to maintain our historic emphasis on building a roster primarily of players from the Lansing area. The club kicks off its second season in early May, and we will again play our home games at Eastern Stadium on Pennsylvania Avenue in Lansing. 

Players interested in joining Lansing Common FC for the 2022 season should visit the team website for details on upcoming opportunities to learn more about the club, including tryouts on March 6 and March 27.