Lansing united to host 2014 midwest region playoffs

JULY 14, 2014 Contact: Jeremy Sampson

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (517)449-6074

LANSING UNITED TO HOST 2014 MIDWEST REGION PLAYOFFS

The East Lansing Soccer Complex will be host to a four-team tournament including the three conference champions and a fourth wildcard team.

“As an inaugural owner and playoff participant, Lansing United is excited to be able to host the Midwest Region playoffs,” owner Jeremy Sampson said. “This is an amazing opportunity for our fans to continue to see their team compete and a chance for soccer in Mid-Michigan to continue its growth. I would like to thank the city of East Lansing and Greater Lansing Sports Authority for assisting us in making this event possible in Mid-Michigan.”

Lansing United (8-2-4, w-l-t) won the Great Lakes West Conference after a 2-2 tie against Detroit City F.C. on Sunday at DeMartin Stadium. United finished with 28 points, while Detroit City finished with 27 points after each gained an additional point Sunday afternoon. The Central Cnference champion Quad City Eagles (7-1-2) and Great Lakes East champions Fort Pitt Regiment (6-5-3) will represent their conferences. The Minnesota United Reserves (5-2-2) qualified as the wildcard team.

The three-game tournament will take place on Saturday July 19 and Sunday July 20. Two semifinal games will take place on Saturday. For Pitt will face Quad City in the first semifinal at 4 p.m. Lansing United will met Minnesota United Reserve in the second semifinal at 7:30 p.m.

The winners of the two semifinal games will move on to a 5 p.m. final on Sunday. The winner will represent the Midwest Region against the winners of the South, West and Northeast Regions in the NPSL final-four tournament.

Tickets will be $10 for admittance to both games Saturday or $10 for the final alone on Sunday. A $15 weekend pass, which allows access to all three games, will also be available. Children 12/under will be $7 per day or $10 for a weekend pass. Tickets will only be sold at the Stadium on game days.

The NPSL is a national league that operates in the 4th Division of the U.S. Soccer pyramid. NPSL teams are eligible to participate in the U.S. Open Cup through their affiliation with the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) and the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA). The NPSL is the fastest-growing national soccer league in North America, operating in 80+ markets across the country. Two Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs (D.C. United and the New York Red Bulls) and four North American Soccer League (NASL) clubs (Minnesota United, Carolina Railhawks, Atlanta Silverbacks, Oklahoma City FC) operate teams in the NPSL. Mitre USA recently signed a multi-year agreement to become the league's Official Match Ball Sponsor.