Lansing United Dominates, 5-0, in NPSL Home Opener

It was a historic night at East Lansing Soccer Complex as Lansing United walked out of its 2017 NPSL home opener with its largest ever win.

United triumphed 5-0 over FC Indiana in the first meeting between the two teams.

“I thought our guys did a lot of really good things today,” head coach Nate Miller said. “We have a long ways to go still but I thought that we were positive in a lot of the things we did.”

The first half saw Lansing come out on top with a majority of the possession. A goal from Rafa Mentzingen was the only score in the first half as the team had plenty of chances but could not solve the Indiana keeper.

In the second 45 minutes of play the floodgates opened for the Hoops. In the 52nd minute Pedro Patino doubled the lead with a finish from outside the box. Mentzingen scored his second of the game and third of the season in the 62nd minute off an assist from captain James DeCosemo.

“The second half was really good for us,” Mentzingen said. “We were able to break through and score some goals in front of our fans.”

The goals kept on flowing after that as substitutes Kebba Nyang and Herman Bjornsson capped off the win for United with goals in the 75th and 82nd minute respectively. Nyang scored just 7 minutes after coming on for the Hoops.

The defense also shone in the second consecutive shutout for United. “We work very hard on the defensive side of our game,” Miller said. “We defend from the front, everyone on the team has a hand in it.”

The midfield play of Patino, Brad Centala, and Andres Reales embodied that defensive emphasis as the three broke apart virtually every Indiana attack before it could start.

“The defenders have been great in front of me so I haven’t had too much to do,” goalkeeper Joe White said. “I do enjoy going home with three points and a clean sheet.”

United will look to continue their strong start Friday, May 26 at home against AFC Ann Arbor.