Lansing Common FC returns to action this weekend with two games on the road against BiH Grand Rapids on Friday, July 16, and Detroit City FC U23 on Sunday, July 18. A little over two weeks ago, the Robins captured victories over both sides at home, but with a title race on the line, these could be two of the most challenging fixtures for the Robins this season.
Lansing (6-1-2) will play its second consecutive weekend with multiple away games. Last week, the West Michigan Bearings handed Lansing its second loss of the season in a 1-0 outing at South Christian High School. Then, the Robins traveled to Mount Clemens where they defeated LK St. Clair 8-0 with goals from Joshua Rosendale (2), Shady Omar, Munir Sherali, Ty Usiak (2), Adain O’Connor, and captain Julian Birge.
Both Usiak and Rosendale scored two goals apiece and cemented Lansing’s largest win margin this season.
BiH Grand Rapids (5-1-2) sits in 4th place in the league and has the best defensive record, having conceded only six goals. Lansing grabbed a 3-2 win over BiH on June 26 without regular starters like Omar, Sherali, and goalkeeper Zac Kelly.
BiH Grand Rapids forwards Chris Mendez and Ojani Perez were on the scoresheet for the Kentwood-based club against Lansing, and they will look to add more goals to their tally.
Lansing midfielder Noah Canlas registered two assists from set pieces in that victory and earned the Man of the Match award.
BiH Grand Rapids recently defeated Inter Detroit 3-1 on July 10 at Evolution Sportsplex but then fell to DCFC 1-0 the next day. BiH has the opportunity to be level on points with Lansing in the East Division standings with a win on Friday.
Lansing will then travel to Keyworth Stadium on Sunday to face DCFC for the second time this season. The Robins handed Le Rouge their first and only Midwest Premier League loss at Eastern Stadium, where it ended 3-0 with goals from Canlas, Birge, and O’Connor.
Head coach Josh Oakley praised his teams’ ability to keep a clean sheet against the most potent attacking side in the league as well as being clinical in front of goal.
While there were a few missed chances from Lansing early on, their persistence and determination to score multiple goals ended in a positive outcome on the Fourth of July in front of their home crowd.
DCFC (11-0-1) is coming off a 7-2 victory over LK St. Clair earlier this week on July 14. Le Rouge also obtained important points in a close contest against BiH Grand Rapids where forward Keith Larson secured a 1-0 victory for DCFC.
Keyworth Stadium has been a fortress for DCFC this season, and the Robins will be looking to end Le Rouge’s home winning streak. Detroit can clinch the East Division title with a win, while Lansing will need two victories this weekend to stay in contention.
Lansing Common FC will kickoff against BiH Grand Rapids at 7 p.m. on July 16, and the match against Detroit City FC U23 will start at 1 p.m. on Sunday, July 18.
