Regional Overview

What a difference a year makes! In 2021, the Great Lakes Region was dominated by Detroit City FC, as should have been predicted. Along with DCFC, the rest of the field was made up of former NPSL foes of the Motor City juggernaut, FC Buffalo, Cleveland SC, and Livonia City FC. Detroit went undefeated and easily claimed the region, followed by a 2-0-1 FC Buffalo. The deciding match between DCFC and FCB was settled 3-1 and Detroit tossed another piece of hardware in the pile.

This year marks a very different look for this region, with Michigan Stars playing the representative for NISA pro. Stars will join a trio of talented amateur clubs Lansing Common FC (MWPL), FC Milwaukee Torrent (NPSL), and Metro Louisville FC (UPSL). While Lansing Common, Metro Louisville, and Michigan Stars did not participate in the 2021 Independent Cup, FC Milwaukee Torrent certainly did. In fact, the well-established side won the Midwest Region in deciding fashion, 3-0 with a +10GD.

Lansing Common FC (MWPL)

Lansing Common is currently in its second year as a club, playing in the strong regional, Midwest Premier League. While the team saw some success in its first year, this season is more of a slow start, with the club currently sitting eighth in the Easter Conference with a 1-1-1 record. And while that mid-table record might give pause to hoping for great sucess, the club sees this year’s tournament as a big chance to shine on multiple fronts. “It’s a great opportunity for our players to test themselves at a new level, for our club to continue to increase our visibility in the region, and maybe even get a shot at a pro team.”

This year’s charity jerseys (pictured), feature two local organizations (Refugee Development Center, and Care Free Medical), proceeds from sales of these jerseys (and future auction of game-worn) are being donated.

The roster features the typical amateur club mix of new and returning players, but Lansing highlights attacker Ty Usiak as “one of our key returning players from the 2021 squad. Ty is a quick, crafty player capable of creating moments of magic for himself and others.” Ty plays his college ball at Western Michigan University, which is also the school of Lansing’s goalkeeper, Ethan Brandt. New addition to the roster Ramzi Shaheen has been a bright spot for the club already picking up a goal and an assist in two matches this season.

If you’re looking for a reason to root for this club outside the pitch, its important to note that Lansing Common is a community-owned non-profit built by fans out of the ashes of a folded USL League One club. Oh, and the bird logo on the beautiful shirts.

FC Milwaukee Torrent

As mentioned earlier, Torrent has some pedigree in the Independent Cup, winning the Midwest Region over some talented squads, including the expansion NISA-side Chicago House. Torrent are a complete club, with a men’s and women’s side. The men’s side plays in the NPSL and is currently on a run of bad form, with just a single win so far this season. Wildly enough, for a club with three losses, the team has a +3GD. One of the stranger stats I’ve seen working on this project.

Let’s not forget that current Chattanooga FC midfielder Ian Cerro played this Torrent side in 2021. This is a club that generates and develops talent. The roster features talented players like Chava Nunez and Alex Filian, who recently scored a brace against fellow NPSL Midwest club, Panathinaikos Chicago. There’s a lot to like about about this club from Milwaukee. Led by its founder, Andreas Davai, the club stresses “a tireless commitment to perfection.”

Metro Louisville FC

Metro Louisville FC was founded in 2019 and played in the NPSL’s Southeast conference. In 2021, the club has a pretty rough season and went 2-7-1 with a -22GD. The club regrouped and moved into the UPSL for 2022, where it plays in the Ohio Conference (which is a little funny, because the club is based in Ohio’s southern neighbor state, Kentucky). The team has had a successful season so far, tied for first in the conference with a 6-2-1 record. In those nine matches, MLFC has a total of 23 goals.

The club has always been focused on developing talent on the roster under the motto “By Players, For Players.” That approach has won them a fair amount of local talent who believe in the club and “play with passion, and have an inner strength unrivaled by no other.” The club’s attack this year is led by forwards Aboubacar Camara (8 goals) and Brandon McManus (2 goals). While MLFC is doing well in the standings, the club is giving up a goal a match so far, which could be magnified against more talented opponents.

Michigan Stars FC

A long-time participant of the NPSL, the Stars made the jump to NISA, following in the footsteps of fellow Michigan professional club, Detroit City FC. And while the Stars had played in the shadow of their neighbor for the first couple of seasons in NISA, this year has seen an improved and exciting brand of soccer take shape under new head coach Trevor Banks. The Big Bodies of Michigan have become a force in the East. Their position in the Eastern Conference, currently 2nd, tells you all you need to know. Michigan Stars are a force to be reckoned with.

Steven Juncaj celebrates his brace with his teammates.

The Stars’ approach to soccer has always been reliant on strong, patient defense and quick counter-strike offense. While Banks’ has deviated from this approach, at times, his team consistently returns to this approach in must-win games. While this year’s roster doesn’t feature long-time defensive midfielder Kyle Neul (Syracuse Pulse) or Devon Amoo-Mensah (Detroit City), returning club-stalwart Steven Juncaj (son of club owner George Juncaj) has really been an impact player this year and is the spearpoint of the Stars’ attack. Also important to not lose sight of the big man up top, Leon Maric. The Bosnian forward is a massive threat in the air as well as consistently goal-poaching any loose balls in the box.

Regional Preview

While it might make sense to think Torrent will emerge from the amateur clubs, the club’s current form does make that pick a little harder to make. Torrent has the history and the reputation to get it done, but Metro Louisville is currently in the best form of the amateurs. Should be an interesting battle, but, in the end, Stars are a pro side in great form and should have no problem with whichever amateur side wins out.