LANSING, MI — Lansing Common FC extended their winning streak to four games, as the Robins defeated AIM SC 4-2 on Saturday, June 24th at Eastern Stadium on Pride Night.
Lansing Common began a six-game homestand with another win after going 4-1-1 on the road for over a month to open the Midwest Premier League season.
The Robins scored early with a fifth-minute penalty kick put in by midfielder Munir Sherali after AIM SC was called for a foul during a free kick.
Lansing would go on to dominate the first half, scoring three more goals, including a brace from forward Seth Russ. The first of Russ’ two goals came off a beautiful right-footed pass across the box from Ameer Shetiah, setting up Russ with an open net.
Three minutes later, Russ was taken down on a breakaway and another penalty was awarded to the Robins. Russ was the man to take the penalty kick and buried the shot to put Lansing up 3-0.
Photo credit: Donté Smith
In first-half stoppage time, defender Ben Derby would add to the Robins’ lead. A long shot from Shetiah ricocheted off the left post and rolled back to Derby, who fired a left-footed missile into the back of the net from 20 yards out.
“We started off well, by going up 4-0 at the half, but came out very slow in the second half,” said Russ. “I think we just weren’t ready for the second half, and they actually brought a lot more intensity than we thought in the second half, and it caught us off guard. We’ve just got to finish off these games better.”
Russ now has seven goals on the season, tying him with Julian Birge for the second-most all-time goals in club history. Shady Omar holds the club record with nine goals scored in the 2021 season.
The Robins remain in second place in the West Division of the Midwest Premier League’s Great Lakes Conference at 5-1-1, with two games in hand on first-place West Michigan Bearings.
“Our standards have to be higher,” Lansing head coach Brent Sorg said. “If we’re going to play for a championship, you can’t have performances like that going forward. Our confidence is still high, and with being back home for six home games, our guys are buzzing.”
Lansing Common FC will be back at Eastern Stadium on Friday, June 30th, for a crossover battle against Great Lakes East Division opponent Thundercats SC. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 pm. Tickets are just $5 online when purchased through the Fanbase Clubs app or $7 at the gate.