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.
