Matchweek Nine continued the trend of blowouts and nail-biters as multiple teams could not find the back of the net, while others found it consistently.
Detroit City FC and Lansing Common went unbeaten during their two-game sets last weekend, while the woes continued for the clubs at the bottom of the table. Le Rouge scored six times in two games, tying the amount of goals BiH Grand Rapids scored against LK St. Clair (Spoiler: St. Clair did not win that one).
This week, more teams can be eliminated from division title contention, while some can increase their leads over potential contenders. With six games spread across six days, Matchweek Ten will have no shortage of excitement as we close the book on the month of June.
Here is your Matchweek Ten preview for the Midwest Premier League’s East DIvision.
Last week’s results
Detroit City FC U23 def. Livonia City FC (2-0)
Detroit City’s U23s kicked off Matchweek Nine with a hard-fought 2-0 victory at home against Livonia. After wearing down the Livonia defense, and having a penalty saved early in the first half, DCFC was able to strike twice in the final 10 minutes to secure their fifth league victory.
Caio Mazzo got DCFC on the board in the 80th minute after Livonia’s “bend but don’t break” defense finally broke. The match was put away when Le Rouge, smelling blood in the water, kept a high press and earned a penalty in the 90th minute that was slotted into the back of the net by Shion Soga.
Michigan Stars FC U23 drew v. Lansing Common FC (0-0)
There were chances galore Friday night at Michigan Stars Sports Center, but neither team managed to find a goal as Michigan Stars’ U23s and Lansing Common earned a point each. However, it was the Robins who looked the better of the two sides as their chances kept hitting cross bars instead of the back of the net.
Splitting the clean sheet for the Stars were goalkeepers Rob Gjelaj and Thomas Howard, while Zac Kelly earned his second consecutive shutout for the Robins. The draw allowed both teams to stay within striking distance of the streaking U23s of Detroit City at the top of the East Division standings.
BiH Grand Rapids def. LK St. Clair (6-0)
BiH Grand Rapids continued their unbeaten streak with a 6-0 dismantling of LK St. Clair at home. BiH came into the weekend having only dropped points once this season, while also having played the fewest league games thus far.
LK St. Clair was hoping to secure their first victory of the season, but BiH had other plans as they put six goals past the visiting defense in a blitzkrieg-like fashion, including three from Chepe Lopez. Jay Torić earned his third consecutive clean sheet for BiH as they swept the season series against LK, scoring a total of eight goals in the process.
Detroit City FC U23 def. Inter Detroit (4-1)
In the first meeting between these two Metro Detroit clubs, the advantage went to the visitors as DCFC’s U23s remained unbeaten after three goals in the second half secured the three points for Le Rouge.
DCFC opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a Bosh Tanyi goal and Inter managed to equalize shortly before halftime to level the game at one. Shion Soga and Keith Larson scored 11 minutes apart, to give the visitors a 3-1 lead by the 75th minute. Waseem Muthana netted an insurance goal in the 90th minute and DCFC rode out of Auburn Hills with three points, completing a perfect weekend and securing the top spot in the East Division.
Lansing Common FC def. Livonia City FC (2-1)
Matchweek Nine concluded with a gritty 2-1 victory for Lansing Common on the road. Both teams went into the weekend after having played a few days earlier, and both wanting a victory to keep their division title hopes alive. Goals from Eastern Illinois University products Shady Omar and Munir Sherali gave Lansing Common a 2-0 lead heading into the halftime break after a frenetic 45 minutes that could have seen the visitors build a much bigger lead.
Livonia would strike back in the 75th minute when Atef Sikazwe found the back of the net. An electric final 15 minutes ensued as lightning in the area pushed the game inside nearby St. Joe’s Sports Dome. Livonia had their chances but Lansing goalkeeper Andrew Nicholson came through when his team needed him, and Lansing rode away on a stormy Sunday night 2-1 victors.
This week’s fixtures
Detroit City FC U23 v. LK St. Clair (June 24, 2021, 7:30 p.m.)
Matchweek Ten kicks off Thursday night when LK St. Clair travels to Hamtramck to take on the U23s of Detroit City. DCFC enters the Matchweek in sole possession of first place, while LK sits at the bottom of the table still searching for their first win of the season. If LK fails to pick up a point, they will be eliminated from division title contention, while three points will increase the distance between Le Rouge and their competitors.
Detroit City FC U23 v. Inter Detroit (June 26, 2021, 4:00 p.m.)
After having played two days prior, DCFC will host Inter Detroit in a reverse fixture from last week, this time at home. In that close contest, Inter became only the second team to score against Le Rouge’s U23s this season, but they would ultimately concede three in the second half in a 4-1 loss. Inter will be looking for their first win in over a month against a DCFC side that will be playing its second game in three days.
Lansing Common FC v. BiH Grand Rapids (June 26, 2021, 6:00 p.m.)
In a pivotal match between two teams climbing up the table, BiH Grand Rapids will travel to Michigan’s capital city to take on Lansing Common. BiH has kept three consecutive clean sheets, having only conceded once this season, while Lansing Common will look to stay unbeaten in the month of June. Saturday’s nightcap should be a good one as three points for BiH would see them take second place, while a win for Lansing would bring them level with BiH.
LK St. Clair v. West Michigan Bearings (June 27, 2021, 5:00 p.m.)
Sunday’s action will see the return of the West Michigan Bearings, who were idle last week, when they travel to the east side of the state to take on LK St. Clair. The Bearings, after starting out 3-1-0, have only managed to earn a single point in their past four games. LK St. Clair could potentially be eliminated from division title contention if they fail to pick up a point Thursday against DCFC, but they will attempt to play spoiler and continue being a part of the Bearings recent woes.
Inter Detroit v. Michigan Stars FC U23 (June 27, 2021, 7:00 p.m.)
Inter Detroit will close out Sunday’s action when they host the Michigan Stars’ U23s at Evolution Sportsplex. After having played the day before, Inter will close out the weekend hoping for a good result against a vibrant Stars side. The Stars are coming off a 0-0 draw against Lansing Common and need three points to continue chasing DCFC. Inter will need a perfect weekend to keep pace with DCFC as well, as their recent performances have seen them fail to pick up any much-needed wins.
Detroit City FC U23 v. Michigan Stars FC U23 (Wednesday, June 30, 2021, 4:00 p.m.)
Matchweek Ten will conclude with the U23 derby at Keyworth Stadium on Wednesday night. Le Rouge were 2-1 victors in the first meeting between the two sides and have since gone undefeated in league play. The Stars, who sit second heading into Matchweek Ten, will look to get revenge and play spoiler to Detroit City’s hopes of going undefeated. Critical points will be on the line in a match that could have a big impact on the race for the East Division title.
Standings
- Detroit City FC U23 (6-0-0, 18 points in 6 GP)
- Michigan Stars FC U23 (4-2-1, 14 points in 7 GP)
- BiH Grand Rapids (4-1-0, 13 points in 5 GP)
- West Michigan Bearings (3-2-3, 11 points in 8 GP)
- Lansing Common FC (3-1-1, 10 points in 5 GP)
- Inter Detroit (1-4-3, 7 points in 8 GP)
- Livonia City FC (1-3-7, 6 points in 11 GP)
- LK St. Clair (0-1-7, 1 point in 8 GP)
Standings (points per game)
- Detroit CIty FC U23 (3.00)
- BiH Grand Rapids (2.60)
- Michigan Stars FC U23 (2.00)
- Lansing Common FC (2.00)
- West Michigan Bearings (1.38)
- Inter Detroit (0.88)
- Livonia City FC (0.55)
- LK St. Clair (0.13)
