Matchweek Seven in the Midwest Premier League East Division saw a few surprising scorelines, a battle between two winless teams, and the emergence of a new leader.
Michigan Stars U23s earned four points and the division lead with a good weekend at home, Livonia City FC defeated LK St. Clair for their first league victory, and West Michigan Bearings and Inter Detroit finished with surprising results last weekend.
With five matches spread across four days, Matchweek Eight is poised to have a few of its own surprises as seven out of eight teams in the East will be in action and looking to keep pace with an idle Michigan Stars U23s.
Here is your Matchweek Eight preview for the Midwest Premier League East Division.
This weekend’s fixtures
West Michigan Bearings v. Inter Detroit (June 12, 2021, 1:00 p.m.)
The Bearings will be hoping to add another win when they host Inter Detroit during Matchweek Eight. West Michigan lost each of their previous two games, conceding five goals during that span, while Inter Detroit is coming off a scrappy draw against the Michigan Stars U23 side.
The Bearings will try to come away with three points and regain first place in the East, while Inter will be looking to stay in contention with the top teams in the division.
Livonia City FC v. BiH Grand Rapids (June 12, 2021, 3:00 p.m.)
Livonia City hosts a dangerous BiH Grand Rapids squad in Saturday’s other division matchup. Livonia should find some confidence after their first league win of the season, while BiH Grand Rapids will have their heads held high after a 2-1 victory over the previously-unbeaten West Michigan Bearings.
BiH will try to play catchup in the standings after playing only two league games, while Livonia’s title-challenging hopes grow slimmer with every passing week. Both teams will be playing for a win, so expect afternoon fireworks in this one.
LK St. Clair v. BiH Grand Rapids (June 13, 2021, 2:00 p.m.)
LK St. Clair will once again be looking for their first victory of the season when they host BiH Grand Rapids to kick off Sunday’s action. BiH will be playing their second leg of a back-to-back weekend in the Detroit area after facing Livonia City on Saturday. LK St. Clair will look to rebound from their 2-1 loss to that same Livonia side after last week’s battle at the bottom of the division table. Though LK St. Clair will have the benefit of rest, BiH will be looking for the right amount of squad rotation to bring home more points from the weekend.
Lansing Common FC v. Inter Detroit (June 13, 2021, 4:00 p.m.)
A rematch a mere two weeks in the making will take place Sunday afternoon when Lansing Common FC hosts Inter Detroit. Inter will also be playing the second leg of a back-to-back weekend after facing West Michigan the day before.
Lansing Common is coming off a 1-1 friendly draw against UPSL side Grand Haven Admirals. The first match between these clubs ended with a 2-1 victory for the Robins and a straight red for Inter after the final whistle. With three points and bragging rights on the line, expect an entertaining display during another warm afternoon in Lansing.
West Michigan Bearings v. Detroit City FC U23 (Tuesday, June 15, 2021, 7:00 p.m.)
Matchweek Eight will conclude with a rematch between two attacking teams when the West Michigan Bearings host Detroit City’s U23s. The Bearings will be playing their second game in four days, while Detroit City will be fresh off a 10-day break.
The last match between these sides ended in a 3-0 win for Le Rouge, but West Michigan will be pushing for all three points to keep pace with the division-leading Michigan Stars.
Last week’s results
Michigan Stars FC U23 def. LK St. Clair (3-0)
Matchweek Seven kicked off with the Michigan Stars U23s handing LK St. Clair another defeat and jumping to the top of the division standings. The Stars held a 1-0 lead going into halftime, but they would capitalize twice more after the break to put the game to bed.
Goals from Alex Zaleczny, Alex Popa, and Matt Vatne helped the Stars earn a valuable three points and their first clean sheet of the season.
Detroit City FC U23 def. West Michigan Bearings (3-0)
Detroit City remained undefeated and handed the West Michigan Bearings their second loss of the season with a convincing 3-0 victory at Keyworth Stadium.
DCFC got on the board early when Zion Beaton found the back of the net in the 21st minute and Le Rouge took a 1-0 lead into halftime. The Bearings’ day went from bad to worse when they conceded a second goal six minutes into the second half when halftime-substitute Keith Larson scored. DCFC put the game away in the 82nd minute with a Waseem Muthana strike that sealed a valuable three points for Le Rouge.
Michigan Stars FC U23 drew v. Inter Detroit (1-1)
In their second game in four days, Michigan Stars U23s put in a valiant effort but could only come away with a single point when they drew with Inter Detroit.
The Stars stormed into first place in the division by collecting four points on the weekend while Inter responded to their home loss to Lansing Common by earning a point on the road.
Livonia City FC def. LK St. Clair (2-1)
In this battle between the division’s only winless teams, Livonia had a better showing and rode away as 2-1 victors.
Things started bleak for Livonia as LK St. Clair opened the scoring in the 3rd minute with a Matt Lentine goal. However, two quick scores in as many minutes gave Livonia a 2-1 lead heading into the halftime break. A Thomas Dono volley and Patrick Smith header contributed to LK St. Clair’s first-half demise. Livonia managed to hold onto their one-goal lead and earn three points for the first time this season.
Standings
- Michigan Stars FC U23 (4-1-1, 13 points in 6 GP)
- West Michigan Bearings (3-1-2, 10 points in 6 GP)
- Detroit City FC U23 (3-0-0, 9 points in 3 GP)
- Inter Detroit (1-3-1, 6 points in 5 GP)
- Livonia City FC (1-3-4, 6 points in 8 GP)
- BiH Grand Rapids (1-1-0, 4 points in 2 GP)
- Lansing Common (1-0-1, 3 points in 2 GP)
- LK St. Clair (0-1-5, 1 point in 6 GP)
