In its inaugural NISA Independent Cup match, Lansing Common FC lost a 1-0 nail-biter to Metro Louisville FC.
Thanks to the 10-point system used in the Independent Cup, Louisville went home with six points, while Lansing came away with zero. If Metro Louisville wins against Milwaukee Torrent next Wednesday, the side will advance from the group stage and face the Michigan Stars NISA pro team for the regional title.
With a handful of yellow cards issued to Louisville, a red card ejection of Metro’s Erbin Trejo in the final minutes, and plenty of scoring opportunities for both sides, Tuesday night’s match held the energy and emotions of a cup final.
“I’m so proud of our guys, the way they handled adversity and the way they played in a very, very charged-up cup game,” said Head Coach Josh Oakley.
Goalkeeper Ethan Brandt was, unsurprisingly, excellent between the sticks in both halves. A tricky save in the 62nd minute perhaps best exemplified the keeper’s stellar evening, as save after save kept the match within reach. With another quality performance in the books, Brandt is quickly approaching the club record for saves.
“When you have that positivity coupled with some very, very good, raw talent, you’ve got a special goaltender, and that’s exactly what he is,” said Oakley.
Metro Louisville dominated possession in the first half, especially in the opening 20 minutes. Lansing Common’s fullbacks and centerbacks felt the pressure early, as Metro pushed the offense through the wings, especially on the left, and forced action to the front of the net.
Louisville scored the match’s lone goal in the 18th minute, cashing in on a shot just inside the penalty box.
Nearly all of the Robins first-half scoring opportunities came from set pieces and counterattacks – rarely was pressure applied with consistency on Metro’s defenders.
While Louisville kept a grip on possession in the second half, Lansing Common earned the better scoring opportunities, especially in the final 20 minutes. Thanks to some ill-timed fouls by Metro, most of Lansing’s chances came on free kick set pieces.
Lansing had a number of chances in the closing minutes and nearly scored an equalizer, but they were unable to convert and Metro Louisville emerged victorious.
“This is going to prepare our team even more for that next level of growth,” said Oakley. “It’s not the result we wanted, but we’ll be right back at it Thursday (in training).”
Up next for the Robins:
Lansing Common resumes league play this weekend with a road game against Grand Haven Admirals. Kick-off is set for 7 p.m.
The Robins next home game is a rematch against Tulip City United SC on Saturday, July 1 in Grand River Open Cup action. Tickets are just $5, available online and at the gate. For those who can’t make it to gameday, the match will be streamed live on YouTube.
Lansing’s next NISA Independent Cup match is on the road against Milwaukee Torrent on Friday, July 15.
