LANSING, Mich. – The 2015 NPSL schedule for Lansing United was released Monday morning.
"It's great to see the schedule released, it means we are closer to kicking off our 2015 campaign.," said Sates coach and general manager Eric Rudland. "There will be great competition in our region."
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"I'm sure we will get each club's best match as we are no longer an unknown commodity," Rudland said, referring to the team's conference title in its inaugural season.
Lansing will open the season with friendlies against the Great Lakes Premier League's AFC Ann Arbor, on May 2nd at 7 p.m., and Grand Rapids FC, on May 9th at 8 p.m. United will host both events at the East Lansing Soccer Complex.
There will also be a home scrimmage against Northwood University on April 24 at 8 p.m.
Read: Detroit City FC schedule released
The NPSL home opener will come on May 22nd against the Indiana Fire.
Last season, Lansing played in the Midwest Region of the NPSL, which is in the 4th tier of the US Soccer pyramid and divided into the Great Lakes West Conference within that region.
As the 2014 GLWC champions, Lansing United finished a point ahead of second-place Detroit City FC. That conference is now called the Midwest Region, featuring 13 teams that will each play 12 league games (six home and six away), with the top four finishers qualifying for playoffs.
The Midwest Region now consists of Lansing United, Detroit City FC, Indiana Fire, Michigan Stars, Cincinnati Saints, Fort Pitt Regiment, Eric Admirals, AFC Cleveland, FC Buffalo, Minnesota United Reserves, Madison 56ers, Minnesota TwinStars and FC Indiana.
Rudland also led the Midwest Region in the inaugural NPSL Combine Tournament in January where his combined Midwest team took home the championship.
The highly-anticipated first matchup against Detroit City FC will come on May 31st at 2 p.m. in East Lansing. The next will be on June 28th at Cass Tech in Detroit. The other local matchups will feature the Michigan Stars at their new home at Wisner Stadium in Pontiac on May 24th and July 3rd.
The rest of the schedule can be found by clicking here.
Tickets for the 2015 Season are on sale for $65, which includes all six home games and the two friendlies. Fans will also receive a special season ticket holder scarf.
Tryouts will be on April 4th. The registration cost is $55 for males ages 17-60 at the East Lansing Soccer Complex. You can register for one of two sessions, at 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
"The team's building phases are in full swing and we cannot wait to play again," Rudland said. "The hope for 2015 is to be a worthy opponent and make our supporters proud."
The supporters, the Sons of Ransom, have grown in number in supporting their championship team.
"Our inaugural season was a fun ride," Rudland said. "But it's now in the rearview mirror."
More information on the NPSL Lansing United team can be found at www.lanunited.com. The East Lansing Soccer Complex is at 3700 Coleman Rd in East Lansing.
For continued coverage on all things soccer in Michgan, stay tuned to ClickOnDetroit.com/sports/soccer and follow @Local4Sports and @KellyHaapala on Twitter.