Muskegon Risers will host Major Arena Soccer League 2 Championship Weekend' April 8-10
Final details for the Major Arena Soccer League 2 “Championship Weekend” have been approved, with one of the league’s longest tenured members hosting the semifinals and finals on April 8 and 10.
The Muskegon Risers, whose operation launched in 2014, will serve as host for the three-games that will determine the league’s 2021-22 championship.
Semi-finals games will be Friday, April 8 at 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. ET, with the M2 title tilt set to kickoff at 3:00 p.m. ET on April 10.
“Muskegon is one of the model members in all of M2 and has one of the best facilities in the league as well, so we’re thrilled to be able to bring our best teams to Michigan,” Commissioner Chris Economides said. “They are one of the best supported and best run teams in the league, so they have more than earned the right to host our marquee weekend. We can’t thank Matthew Schmitt and his staff, the Risers fans, and all of Muskegon enough for stepping forward to be part of these special three days.”
Risers Director of Operations, Matthew Schmitt, said the team and city would work hard to make it a memorable weekend.
"The Muskegon Risers organization works relentlessly to serve our community through soccer at the highest level possible. Being selected as the host site for MASL2's Championship Weekend speaks to this organization's steadfast commitment to our mission,” Schmitt said. “The best arena soccer teams in our league will be on full display, and from April 8 through 10, arena soccer fans around the country will be focusing their attention here. We're excited to witness the positive impact of this event on local players, fans, and business partners alike.”
Only the Cleveland Crunch are assured a spot in the final four. The defending champion Crunch finished the regular season 12-0 and earned the No. 1 overall postseason seed. They will choose their Friday opponent from one of the three remaining teams. The two teams Cleveland doesn’t select as its opponent will meet in the other semi-final.
It could be Muskegon as one of the other three teams. The Risers, the No 2 seed in the Eastern Division, will host the Chicago Mustangs on Saturday, April 2 at 7 p.m. at Mercy Health Arena for the right to advance.
One other matchup is already set as the San Diego Sockers will host the RGV Barracudas on Sunday, April 3 at 12:30 p.m. PDT.
One Midwest Division spot will be decided this weekend. Wichita is already in, and will host either the Amarillo Bombers or Omaha Kings on Wednesday, March 30 at 7 p.m. at Hartman Arena in Wichita, where the 2020-21 M2 finals were held.
A ticket good for admission for all three games is available for $25 for adults and $20 for kids. Tickets for both April 8 games are $14 for adults and $12 for kids, while Championship Game tickets only are $14 for adults and $12 for youngsters. Tickets can be purchased through the Muskegon Risers at https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/16859/mercy-health-arena-risers
Details on how fans can watch the broadcast of Championship Weekend games will be released as they are finalized.