METUCHEN, NJ - The postseason action on the pitch will come quick and fast this week, starting tonight as New Jersey Copa FC (8-1-1 East) will host the Long Island Rough Riders (7-2-1 East) in the 2017 East Conference Final for the third automatic berth in this weekend’s United Women’s Soccer (UWS) Championship in Grandville, MI. Long Island has posed the toughest challenge for the the regular season champions over the first two seasons of UWS East play. Tonight’s match at Saint John Vianney High School (7:00 PM EDT kickoff) will also decide the season series between the two teams, with each side emerging victorious in their respective home games. The game can be viewed online live via this LINK.

Off the pitch, after a deliberation process that took a variety of factors into consideration (record, strength of schedule, travel concerns, etc.), the “wild card” seed in the four-team field of the 2017 UWS Championship has been decided. Midwest Conference runner-up Detroit Sun FC (7-2-3) has been awarded the fourth & final spot in this weekend’s tournament, which kicks off on Friday afternoon at Grandville High School in Grandville, MI. West champion Santa Clarita (8-0 West) were first to automatically qualify while Grand Rapids FC Women (10-1-1) won the Midwest playoff for the second berth. GRFC and Detroit were 1-2 all season in the Midwest and the Sun were a stroke or two of luck away from winning the conference title last Sunday in a dramatic contest.

Stay tuned as tomorrow (Wednesday, July 19) the league will officially announce the matchups for Friday’s National Semifinals. The first match will kick off at 4:30 PM EDT while the second contest will commence at 7:30 PM EDT. The Semifinal winners will take the pitch on Saturday, July 22nd at 7:30 PM EDT for the 2017 UWS title. Tickets can be purchased HERE. The entire tournament can be viewed online live via this LINK.

About United Women’s Soccer (UWS): UWS is a national women’s soccer league sanctioned by U.S. Soccer through the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA). UWS is a professionally operated league created for teams that meet high minimum standards. The season runs from May until the end of July, culminating in a National Championship match. The UWS player pool is comprised of college players, aspiring & former professionals and international stars. You can follow UWS on social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Media can contact UWS Director of Communications Jorma Kansanen by e-mail at UWSPress@gmail.com. You can visit the league’s official website at UWSSoccer.com. Interested team applicants can contact League Commissioner Joe Ferrara, Jr. by e-mail at Joe@UWSSoccer.com.