METUCHEN, NJ - In-state rivals Detroit Sun FC and Michigan Legends FC will face each other this weekend, but will also face an arduous task in playing two games in as many days. Conference leaders Grands Rapids FC Women have Week VII off in Midwest action, but there are plenty of high stakes involved as teams like Toledo Villa FC and the Fort Wayne United Gryphons look to plant their flags in the conference playoffs.

FRIDAY, JUNE 23

Fort Wayne United Gryphons vs. Michigan Legends FC
7:00 PM EDT - Warrior Athletic Field (Fort Wayne, IN)

With their exciting 2-1 road win at FC Indiana (4-4 Midwest) on Wednesday night, the Fort Wayne United Gryphons (2-3-1 Midwest) have all of the sudden made a move towards potentially qualifying for the conference playoffs. Fort Wayne are now tied with Toledo Villa FC (2-2-1 Midwest) in fourth place and Toledo host a tough opponent in Detroit Sun FC (3-1-2 Midwest) this Sunday. The victory over FC Indiana on Wednesday - with thanks to a 90th minute game-winning goal from Taylor Stevens on a Hannah Tillett assist - combined with another one in their home finale at Warrior Athletic Field on Friday night against Michigan Legends FC (1-2-2 Midwest) will put the Gryphons in playoff contention with three games left in the regular season.

This is the first of a three-game road trip for Michigan, who won’t return to home and the indoor confines of the Legacy Center until Friday, July 7th. Its been an up-and-down season for Legends FC, as they have not been able to string together a wining streak. But they did post an impressive come-from-behind 2-2 draw in their last match on Saturday, June 10th against conference leaders Grands Rapids FC (5-1-1 Midwest). The GRFC Women went up early in the second half by a 2-0 score, but goals in the 65th & 69th minutes by Lauren Wynns and Madison Duncan brought Michigan back into the game. Legends FC have not lacked excitement this season, as they came back in a 2-2 draw at Toledo and almost completed a comeback in a 3-2 home loss to Detroit.

SATURDAY, JUNE 24

Detroit Sun FC vs. Michigan Legends FC
7:00 PM EDT - Ultimate Soccer Arenas (Pontiac, MI)

After opening up the 2017 season with three wins, Detroit have begun to stumble a little bit of late, dropping down to a 3-1-2 record after their first loss last Sunday on the road at Grand Rapids FC. Detroit had a few good looks on goal in the first half against GRFC, pushing a shot just wide off a free kick in the 29th minute then hitting the woodwork in first half stoppage time. But three late goals by Grand Rapids midfielder Bethany Balcer downed the Sun in the 3-0 defeat. Detroit will have a chance to get back to winning ways against in-state rival Michigan, and sweep the season series between the two sides as they return to the home confines of Ultimate Soccer Arenas for the first time since May 20th.

On Friday, June 2nd, Michigan hosted Detroit inside the Legacy Center and almost pulled off an improbable second half comeback but fell short in a 3-2 loss. The Sun pulled out to a commanding three-goal lead via two goals from midfielder Madison Schupbach and the eventual game-winner by forward Isabella Habuda. But MLFC notched two late strikes past Detroit goalkeeper Caitlin Clem. Defender Melanie Pickert scored her first goal of the season in the 70th minute, and eight minutes later, defender Holly Hein made it 3-2 but MLFC could not get the draw. That was the last victory for Detroit as they have gone 0-1-2 since that match. But the home side will have the advantage of rest as Michigan plays on the road on Friday night.

SUNDAY, JUNE 25

Toledo Villa FC vs. Detroit Sun FC
7:30 PM EDT - Northview H.S. (Sylvania, OH)

Detroit will have their own two-game weekend to deal with, as they travel to face Toledo on Sunday night in the home finale for the Villa Women. This will also be the end of a epic five-game home stretch for Toledo at Northview High School, as after this Sunday’s match vs. Detroit they will face their conference playoff fate with four road games to end the 2017 season. And three of those four road games are against teams who are also in Midwest playoff contention: conference leaders Grands Rapids FC, second-place FC Indiana and this Sunday’s opponent Detroit.

The Villa Women can certainly feel a bit devastated after their last result - a 2-1 loss to Indy Premier SC (1-5-1 Midwest) last Friday night. Toledo had their chances and scored in the 10th minute via the combination of leading scorers in midfielder Veronica Zaciek forward Skylar Fleak. But IPSC responded immediately on a Brady Riley PK and notched their first win of the season on Kirsten Timmer’s header as time ticked off the clock.

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 Press@UWSSoccer.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.