Lansing Common FC will kick off their 2021 Midwest Premier League schedule on Saturday, May 22, when they host the West Michigan Bearings at Eastern Stadium. The Bearings are currently on top of the East Division table with seven points from three games.
“It’s about time to play our first league game,” said head coach Josh Oakley. “This is our very first real game, so obviously there are butterflies and we are excited about it.”
After beating an under-manned Fort Wayne Sport Club 3-1 in a friendly, the Robins will have their hands full with the Bearings, who are unbeaten in their first three games of the league season and average three goals per game.
“I actually know quite a bit about them. I know that they are very good players and I have coached against a lot of them in college,” said Oakley. “A lot of Hope [College] players, a lot of former Calvin [University] players. Obviously some of the best in that division and the best in the league.”
Some of these players include Midwest Premier League East Division Team of the Week nominees Bobby McCaw and Drew Van Andel. Van Andel was a staple for Calvin University in defense and started 58 games in four years. McCaw was a menace for the Calvin Knights and had 62 goals in 87 appearances for the NCAA Division III school.
“We know that they are good. They’ve got a tremendous striker that we are going to have to limit his chances and touches on the ball,” said Oakley. “That’s gonna be part of the key.”
This season, the Bearings have scored a league-leading nine goals, while also conceding the second fewest (five). McCaw has continued his scoring prowess, scoring three on the season so far, while also getting help from Daniel and Abraham Arellano, who have each scored once.
On the other hand, Lansing Common will be heading into Saturday on a high note after having been 3-1 victors last weekend. The Robins had three different goal scorers on the night, which featured two goals in the final five minutes of the first half and the club’s first-ever goal from right back Kyle Scott.
“One thing that is big and many people around the club have been hyping it is that fullback attacking mentality. That is a clear staple of how I have always seen the game,” said Oakley. “To score the first club goal, fullback to fullback, in a spell of possession in the opponent’s half is phenomenal, so we are doing okay.”
With some league clubs already gaining form, such as the Bearings who have already played three matches, Lansing Common is facing the monumental task of limiting West Michigan’s scoring threat and will try to become the first team in this young season to defeat the division leaders.
“We have got to be a team that is comfortable out of possession,” said Oakley. “We have to be organized, communicate, and be good at keeping play in front of us and minimizing chances.”
Kickoff for this weekend’s home match at Eastern Stadium in Lansing is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Tickets are available at https://lansingcommonfc.com/schedule/ and the game will be livestreamed on the club’s YouTube page.
