Lansing Common FC brought Fourth of July fireworks to Eastern Stadium’s pitch when they took down MWPL East Division Leaders Detroit City FC U23 3-0. First-half goals from midfielders Noah Canlas and Julian Birge helped lead the Robins to victory.
“When you look at the overall possession today, there is no way that we were even close to having the lion’s share of possession,” said head coach Josh Oakley. “However, when we had the ball and when we gained possession, we did something with it. We created chances, we created corner kicks, set pieces every now and then.”
Both teams started the match looking to strike first as they traded chances within the first 15 minutes. Detroit looked to be the more confident team and tested Lansing goalkeeper Zac Kelly early and often.
“To start the game, we were very fragile and made a lot of mistakes,” said Oakley. “You try to grow into games early, and we were in big trouble, I think, just with our confidence and our passes.”
After escaping the first 30 minutes without conceding a goal, the Robins found their stride and earned a penalty kick in the 37th minute when DCFC defender and captain James Lee was called for a handball. Shady Omar stepped up to take the spot kick, but was denied by goalkeeper Sean Ellis.
In his fourth appearance for the club, Ellis started in place of Hunter Morse, who was serving a suspension after being sent off during DCFC’s 2-1 victory over Michigan Stars. Ellis, who plays at Kalamazoo College, had only allowed three goals in eight games during his 2021 collegiate season.
Lansing continued to create chances but kept coming up empty. Forward Ty Usiak had the best chance of the first half in the 42nd minute. Omar let a Kyle Scott through ball go between his legs and find Usiak in stride. Usiak’s effort would go just wide of the left post after Ellis came out of his net to put the forward under pressure.
“It was a brilliant move,” said Oakley. “That is a brilliant move and that was good to see. Not only did Noah [Canlas] and Munir [Sherali] get involved in those wide areas, but our fullbacks got involved. It was very good.”
The Robins’ persistence paid off when Omar held off five DCFC defenders and managed to play a through ball to Canlas, who had advanced up field in place of Omar. Canlas took the pass forty yards and then fired it into the back of the net to open the scoring.
The final 15 minutes of the first half saw multiple chances from the Robins before they finally broke through DCFC’s well-disciplined defense.
Lansing has scored two or more goals in every MWPL match played after a 0-0 draw with Michigan Stars U23 on June 18th. The Robins’ current three-game winning streak can be attributed to the play of midfielders Leutrim Shefkiu and Julian Birge. Each Lansing-area native has spent time at captain this season.
“Playing with Leutrim is absolutely amazing because he’s able to get on the ball and create things just by himself with his feet, where I am a little bit more simple,” said Birge. “I can take up some space and then he can create a little bit more, so I absolutely love having him next to me.”
Birge found himself alone near midfield during the first minute of first-half stoppage time after a failed clearance by DCFC. The Lansing captain looked up and fired an emphatic 30-yard shot past Ellis, befuddling fans and broadcasters alike, to give the Robins a 2-0 lead heading into halftime.
Birge, an Alma College graduate, was a surprise goal-scorer for the Scots, tallying 16 goals in 73 appearances. His first-half strike was his fourth goal of the season and the second scored with his feet.
“What can you say about Julian Birge? Julian Birge is a winner. A flat-out winner,” said Oakley after the Robins’ 3-2 victory over BiH Grand Rapids last week. “When I have questions on whether he can go 90 [minutes], all I have to do is look in his eyes, and those eyes tell me: absolutely.”
Detroit came out of the half-time break looking to strike early. Le Rouge kept the pressure on Lansing for long stretches of time, hemming them into their own half for a majority of the second half.
Attacking midfielder Shion Soga had been the catalyst for DCFC’s offense this season. The Aichi, Japan native had four goals and one assist before facing Lansing. Soga led DCFC’s attack, but his efforts, including a free kick near Lansing’s penalty area, weren’t enough to put Le Rouge on the board.
Lansing Common put the game away after a random spell of possession earned the Robins a corner kick. Munir Sherali’s service found the head of Aidan O’Connor, who scored his second goal in as many games, and gave the Robins a three-goal cushion they would not give up.
“It felt great,” said Sherali. “As a team, putting the score up 3-0, and just killing the game was a great feeling. We hope to continue on with that, and keep getting the wins.”
On the defensive side, Kelly earned his third clean sheet of the season. The future Michigan State goalkeeper was inserted into the lineup after splitting minutes with Andrew Nicholson in the Robins midweek friendly against USL League 2 side Fort Wayne FC.
“It’s a good bounce back,” said Kelly. “Mistakes are going to happen, but it is how you respond and I felt like we did a good job today. Especially after that game against Fort Wayne. We were locked in and came out today with a big performance and got three points.”
Lansing Common FC returns to action on Wednesday, June 7, when they travel to face the West Michigan Bearings. The Robins will be seeking revenge against a team that dealt them a loss in the opening game of their league season. Kickoff at South Christian High School in Grand Rapids is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
