METUCHEN, NJ - The first round of news on the 2018 season in United Women's Soccer (UWS) is on tap as the official alignment and schedule for the Midwest Conference has been announced by the league office. Seven teams will take the pitch in the UWS Midwest this summer, highlighted by five returning corner stone teams that include 2017 UWS Champion Grand Rapids FC Women & National Semifinal Detroit Sun FC and two new organizations - Genesee FC and Lansing United.

2018 UWS MIDWEST CONFERENCE

Detroit Sun FC
Fort Wayne United Gryphons
Genesee FC
Grand Rapids FC Women
Indy Premier SC
Lansing United
Michigan Legends FC

The opening weekend of the Midwest slate is May 11-13, with Detroit kicking off the action with two home games at Ultimate Indoor Soccer Arena (Pontiac, MI). The Sun will host Michigan Legends FC on Friday, May 11th for a 8:00 PM kickoff and Indy Premier SC on Sunday, May 13th at 6:00 PM. The defending conference champion GRFC Women commence their campaign on Sunday afternoon with a 5:00 PM kickoff against newcomers Lansing United at Grandville High School (Grandville, MI).

Genesee FC kicks off their inaugural season on Friday, May 18th with a home match at Atwood Stadium at Kettering University in Flint, MI against Michigan Legends FC (7:00 PM) while Fort Wayne United starts their 2018 season on Friday, May 25th when they host Indy Premier SC at Indiana Tech University in Fort Wayne, IN (7:00 PM). The top four teams in the final regular season standings will compete in the 2018 Midwest Conference playoffs on the weekend of July 13-15 with the winner qualifying for the four-team UWS National Championship (July 20-22).

"The Midwest showed its strength last season by producing the 2017 UWS National Champion," said UWS Commissioner Joe Ferrara, Jr. "In 2018, we anticipate an extremely competitive season as teams will attempt to dethrone the champs prior to this year's playoff. The addition of Lansing United and Genesee FC, with their proximity to top college programs, will provide a strong test right out of the gate."

For the full 2018 UWS Midwest Conference schedule, see below for the PDF document.

About United Women’s Soccer (UWS): UWS is a national women’s soccer league sanctioned by U.S. Soccer. 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.