The Title Race Continues

After a two-week break, Liquid Football (4-2-1) returns home to play Michigan Stars U-23 (4-3-1) in a massive match with title race implications. 

In Liquid Football’s previous game, they traveled to Holland and beat the Holland Struikrovers 5-2. Liquid Football is on fire right now. They are on a three-game winning streak and are in third place in the Great Lakes East standings with 13 points and a game in hand on second place Stars.

In Michigan Stars’  last game, they beat Cedars 4-1.

The title race heated back up 4th of July weekend when first place Inter Detroit tied Livonia City 1-1. Nobody thought anybody could catch Inter, but after a couple of ties, there was some hope for some of the other teams in the league who had only dropped a couple points. 

The top three teams still have some work to do. They all have challenging games left, so it should be an exciting finish to the season, but it all starts with Liquid Football v Michigan Stars. 

The Stars are in-form right now. They won their last three games against Cedars, Lansing Common, and AIM. They are a versatile team who can adapt to what the other team is doing. They are deep with many good players, including striker Gjon Melakiqi, midfielder Alex Popa, and goalkeeper Robert Gjelaj.

They have a new coach this year. Who has made some minor changes but has largely kept the same tactics as in previous years. The old coach went to a management position with the first team in NISA. 

Liquid Football, a first-year team, vs. Michigan Stars, a well-established team. Both with plenty of talent and both in the title race. This will be a must-watch match.

Players to watch

Michigan Stars U-23

Gjon Melakiqi - Melakiqi plays for Northwood University. He scored his second hat trick of the season in their previous game against Cedars. 

Robert Gjelaj- Gelaj also plays for Northwood. He led all of NCAA D2 in saves with 121 last season. 

Alex Popa- Popa is a great player. He plays for Purdue Fort Wayne. He formerly played for San Diego Albion in NISA and overseas. However, it is 50/50 that he plays.

Liquid Football

Alaa Algaithi- Alaa scored his first goal for the club in their previous game against Holland Rovers. He has been playing well in the past few weeks. During the break, he played for Hamtramck City FC in their State Cup match against USL 2 side Flint City Bucks.

Esmail Haidan- Esmail has been rock solid for Liquid Football. Haidan also played for Hamtramck City during the break and made some big saves to keep them in the game.

Waseem Muthana - Muthana is tied as the top goal scorer and has the club's most assists. 

Liquid Football will play the Michigan Stars U-23 on Thursday, July 6th, at University Liggett School in Grosse Pointe Woods. Kickoff is at 6:45 p.m. Tickets are on sale now.