LANSING, Mich – Following a 1-1 draw against 1927SC last Saturday, Lansing Common FC makes their first road trip of the Midwest Premier League season when they visit Midwest United FC in Grand Rapids on Friday, May 22, at 7:00 p.m.
Lansing defender and team captain Spencer Powe scored the equalizing walk-off goal against 1927SC in the 95th minute, after a shot from midfielder Jack Heald bounced off the post.
LCFC hopes to keep that momentum going against Midwest United, a club that dealt the Robins a 2-1 loss the last time they met.
“I think the vibes are high,” Powe said. “A lot better than if it was off a loss, but I think we’re going in, still confident, still knowing we can win the league, and we’ve got a big game Friday.”
Lansing was pressured throughout much of the evening against 1927SC, which allowed for goalkeeper Vaios Papadoudis to have a standout performance in net, recording 12 saves to tie the club record for saves in a game.
Powe was able to capitalize at the very end, as LCFC turned up its gears to escape with a point in the final minute.
“I think some of that is because they [1927SC] sat back, because they got the ‘go ahead [goal],” Lansing head coach Brant Sorg said.
Looking to spread the offensive pressure that was seen in those final minutes into the rest of the match, Sorg and Powe noted areas of improvement to focus on during weekly training.
“Our focus is just, how can we create opportunities in the final phase and be clinical in those moments,” Sorg said. “Also with the understanding of being patient, everything doesn’t have to be an immediate strike.”
Powe highlighted the transition moments, sharpening both offensive and defensive transitions across the field.
“Trying to stay as smooth as possible, to get some growth learning from mistakes we made on Saturday,” Powe said.
Midwest United is coming off a 2-1 league victory over Holland Struikrovers on the road.
“Midwest, we didn’t beat them last year, so we’re kind of going in with an edge,” Powe said.
Lansing Common faces off against Midwest United FC this Friday at 7:00 p.m. The game can be watched live on Midwest United’s Hudl page.
