LANSING, Mich. — Lansing Common FC continued its six-match road stretch in the Midwest Premier League, splitting a weekend of crossover games against Great Lakes Conference East Division foes. The Robins picked up their first league win of the season with a 2-0 result over Michigan Jaguars FC on Friday, June 2, before dropping a close contest to Michigan Stars FC U23, 3-1, on Sunday. With the split, Lansing (1-1-1, 4 points) sits in sixth place in the West Division, while the Stars (3-1-3, 10 points) and Jaguars (2-0-2, 6 points) move into second and fourth in the East, respectively.
LCFC traveled to West Bloomfield, Michigan, to face a Jaguars side that had won its previous two matches. Both teams looked to bring the offense early, and despite a few early chances from the hosts, the Robins controlled the majority of play from the opening whistle.
The Jaguars found their footing shortly before halftime, but the Robins took advantage of their dominance in possession, squeezing the Jags within their own half before opening the middle of the park and finding an opening goal.
After a turnover by the Jags, forward Brandon Dixon dropped back into the midfield and spotted a run by Jack Voight along the right touchline. Dixon caught Voight in stride with a cross-field volley and the forward from Spring Arbor University promptly fired a left-footed shot past the keeper to give the Robins a 1-0 lead they would take into the halftime break.
Lansing started the half looking to extend their lead, seeing a plethora of chances from midfielder Ali Ahmad miss the target in the final third. Despite their lack of possession, the Jags continued to work on the counter, searching for an equalizer as the game hit the hour mark.
With the game slowing down due to injuries and substitutions, the hosts made their best effort of the match, taking advantage of a lull from the Lansing backline that led to a one-on-one opportunity against LCFC goalkeeper Holden Clark. Well off his line, Clark was able to challenge the Jags forward and prevent the shot from making its way through, much to the dismay of the home side. Clark would end the match with a four-save clean sheet in his first start of the season.
Moments later, the Robins took advantage of the momentum swing, leading to the away side’s match-clinching moment. After some brilliant midfield moves by Lansing led to an opportunity on goal, the Jags’ keeper parried away a shot that forward Seth Russ poked into the open net to give the Robins a 2-0 lead.
Lansing saw the match out in comfortable fashion, continuing to press Jags in their own half. The relentless pressure led to two more chances for the Robins. Both ended with the ball in the back of the Jags’ net, but were then called offside. The 2-0 scoreline would hold and Lansing earned its first win of the 2023 MWPL season.
The Robins made a second trip to the east side of the Great Lakes State for a matchup in Washington Township against familiar foe Michigan Stars U23s, with each squad searching for another three points to conclude the weekend.
Both teams settled into a fast-paced and physical match for the first thirty minutes. The physicality ramped up when Stars earned a free kick from outside the Lansing penalty area after defender Kevin Payne was shown a yellow card for a dangerous challenge. The Robins failed to properly deal with the ensuing cross and Stars poached the ball into the back of the net to open the scoring.
The physicality would continue to be on display as both teams entered the halftime break with double-digit fouls. LCFC had the lead in disciplinary infractions, but Stars had the more important 1-0 lead on the scoresheet.
An uncharacteristic start to the second half by Lansing led to a 2-0 deficit after a breakdown in defense gave Stars an opportunity for a counter. The hosts quickly capitalized on the break, knotting the ball past outstretched goalkeeper Sam Spiegel to double their lead.
The fireworks continued throughout most of the second half as the Robins searched for an elusive first goal. After a flurry of chances from a revamped LCFC side, the visitors finally got on the scoresheet when midfielder Willy Galvez Jr. cut the Stars lead in half with a first-time shot from just inside the penalty area, giving the Robins life with 15 minutes remaining.
Tempers flared during the final minutes as multiple cards, including a straight red, were dished out to players on both sides. After a collision in the middle of the park led to an injury to defender Ben Derby, the Robins were called for a foul in the opposing third that led to a brief scuffle. Substitute forward Tony Burton was sent off for his second yellow card of the match and a Stars defender was sent off for striking an LCFC player in the midst of the fray, leaving both sides to finish the match with 10 men.
The Robins searched for answers following the scuffle, but Stars would tack on another goal before the final whistle ended the match at 3-1.
Up Next
The Robins return to action on Sunday, June 11, visiting new Great Lakes Conference West Division side Holland Rovers FC in Holland, Michigan. Kickoff is slated for 2 p.m.
Scoring Summary
Friday, June 2, at Michigan Jaguars FC (W, 2-0)
39’ – After regaining possession in their own half, the Robins looked to spring a counter attack as Jags failed to get back defensively in time. Forward Brandon Dixon filled a void in the midfield and spotted a streaking Jack Voight along the right touchline. Dixon was able to ping a 40-yard ball in the air, catching Voight in stride, who promptly cut inside his defender and slotted a low, left-footed shot just inside the near post. LCFC 1, MJFC 0
67’ – Having found space in the middle of the park, LCFC was able to pick apart the Jags defense with a graceful solo effort from defender Luke Kalavitz. Kalavitz was able to work his way through four defenders before his 25-yard shot was parried away by the Jags goalkeeper. Seth Russ read the play, stayed onside, and poached the rebound into the back of the net. LCFC 2, MJFC 0
Sunday, June 4, at Michigan Stars FC U23 (L, 1-3)
27’ – Having earned a free kick just outside the penalty area, Stars floated in a cross toward the back post. After failing to deal with the initial chance, a Stars player found the loose ball and slotted it into the back of the net. LCFC 0, MSFC 1
46’ – Stars dispossessed a Lansing forward, leading to a counter-attack. The hosts were able to score with a low shot that made its way past an outstretched Sam Spiegel.
LCFC 0, MSFC 2
73’ – Showing life, the Robins found their way with a slow-developing counter attack. Midfielder Amedeo Crovasce played a low cross through multiple Stars defenders at the top of the penalty area. Midfielder Munir Sherali let the ball run through him, Willy Galvez Jr. stepped into a first time shot, and his right-footed screamer found the back of the net.
LCFC 1, MSFC 2
89’ – With both teams reduced to 10 men, Stars capitalized on a mishit ball by the Robins that led to a two-on-one along the back line. Instead of passing, the Stars player fired a shot low and hard at the near post, beating Spiegel. LCFC 1, MSFC 3