December 9, 2024
By Ian Toner

It’s no secret that Atlanta’s offense and defense will look different next year. Justin Burnett’s departure followed the retirements of Matt Smith and Bobby Ley, but Hustle Head Coach Tuba Benson-Jaja is keeping an optimistic outlook and pursuing talent in the Atlanta area and beyond.

“We are looking for other players to step up and not only fill shoes but excel in those new spots,” Benson-Jaja said. “We are pretty deep and have many players chomping for more play time.”

“I’m appreciative of the time each of the players exiting gave to the Hustle,” he added.

Fortunately for Hustle fans, offensive star Hayden Austin-Knab confirmed he will be in the Atlanta area for at least the next year or two.

Texas Two Step

The Lone Star state could be fertile ground for Benson-Jaja and other South Division leaders looking to augment their roster, given the unfortunate departure of the Dallas Legion from the UFA.

“It’s a little surreal to see the Dallas franchise come to an end,” said Carson Wilder, who earned multiple Championship Weekend berths with the Roughnecks and is retiring to spend more time with his family as his children begin to reach sports-playing age. “At the end of day, I am so grateful for all the people that touched the Dallas franchise in some way. From players, coaches, our operations and media teams, to fans, and the families of all those involved, there was a lot of effort, resources, and sacrifice given for this team. A special shoutout to ownership over the years: Jim Gerencser, Young Byun, and Ivy Byun. They are the people that made it all possible. Very few people know how much work it actually takes to run a team, so I thank them for everything.”

Many other Dallas veterans still have plans and opportunities to continue their playing careers elsewhere.

“Weighing out my options,” 2024 All-UFA Third Team honoree and UFA leading goal scorer Alec Wilson Holliday said when asked about his 2025 playing plans.

“There are a few key factors I’m considering when deciding which team to play for next season, primarily the team’s competitiveness and the role I’d have within it,” said 2022 All-Star Connor DeLuna, who played for the Austin Sol in 2021. “I want to join a team with a strong chance of making the playoffs and one whose play style aligns with my strengths and what they’re building toward. At this point, I’m not sure where I’ll end up. My goal is to play for a team where I can genuinely add value and contribute to their success. I’ve heard some informal chatter about the Austin Sol possibly bringing in players from the Dallas Legion, but since none of that has come directly from the head coach, I’m taking it with a grain of salt. I played for Austin during my first season, and logistically, they’re the most convenient option. However, I recently started a new job with American Airlines, which comes with great flight benefits. This opens up the possibility of playing for other teams across the division, as I can fly to many major cities for free. That said, it’s still early in the off-season, and I’m keeping an open mind.”

“Moving forward, I want to be a part of a team that has built a good environment where I can receive valuable feedback and criticism while being pushed to become a better player,” said Myles Armstrong, who finished with the Legion’s fourth-highest plus-minus total in 2024. “I want high level competition with the drive to win. I have had informal communication with Austin Sol and currently have a meeting set with their coach [Steven Naji]. While exploring what other options I have, I also plan to reach out to the Hustle.”

Naji, entering his fifth season coaching the Sol, confirmed the Sol will be losing Oliver Fay, who moved to Boston, and Nick Loughran.

“I have a lot of interest in signing some Dallas guys,” Naji said. “I’d be dumb not to reach out to every guy I think can improve the Austin Sol.”

He’s proud of his roster’s consistency over the years and also energized by the idea of pursuing and adding new talent into his program.

“Getting a wave of fresh energy and new blood is a really motivating thing going into the offseason and 2025,” Naji explained. “We have a chance to kind of rebuild things this year. Two years ago, we had our most successful season. This past year was underwhelming. How do we re-grow?”

The Sol won their first South Division title as a franchise in 2023, but fell in the first round of the playoffs to Carolina in 2024. Austin averaged the most goals per game in the league (21.7) last season, and finished top seven in offensive efficiency. 

It’s not uncommon for players to commute to/from Dallas, Austin and other nearby cities for pro and club competition, and Naji indicated the Sol could be hosting a few mini camps in Waco, located between Dallas and Austin.

Royal Rumblings

Montreal made a coaching change in October, bringing Royal veteran and president Jean-Levy Champagne into the head coaching role and Daniel Fortin-Guichard into the assistant coaching role. One bit that wasn’t in that announcement: there’s no term or limit to the number of years they could coach.

“We are in an open contract,” Champagne said.

Champagne confirmed 2024 Rookie of the Year Tobe Decraene will return for the second season of his two-year contract in 2025, as well. He added Montreal is “in contact” with other international players but talks aren’t far enough along to report any specific names or signings.

New York News

New Zealand star Liam Haberfield will run it back with the Empire in 2025, according to General Manager Matt Stevens.

“We are excited he will be with us starting in the preseason,” Stevens said. “Last year, he only had one full practice with us before our first game because his visa took longer to get than expected. We anticipate much better integration for him in year two.”

“Representing New Zealand in New York is an incredible opportunity,” said Haberfield, who is entering the second season of a three-year contract. “I am helping to pave the way for Kiwis and international athletes alike to enter and compete in the league. The prospect of continuing my journey and growing with potentially a new look Empire is very exciting. I have a feeling there will be a few changes and exciting new pieces in the roster this coming season.”

Coast To Coast

• Boston was supposed to have a tryout weekend before Thanksgiving, but weather challenges forced a reschedule to December 14. Owner Luke Johnson said player meetings are ongoing, and Gabe Colton and Ned Dick are confirmed to return for 2025. Colin Sunde, who relocated elsewhere, won’t be back.

• Chicago Union veteran Charlie Furse will be joining Dave Woods as a co-head coach in 2025. More to come on this update in a future edition.

• Xtehn Titcomb Frame, having just signed Jack Brown, Garrett Martin, Marc Muñoz and Zeppelin Raunig to two-year extensions, confirmed the franchise is still engaging 2024 Defensive Player of the Year Lukas Ambrose.

• According to San Diego coach Jonathan Helton:

  • The Growlers appear to have commitments from Kyle Rubin, Michael Tran, and Casey Shugarman for 2025

  • Will Turner, who lives in Santa Barbara and played for San Diego from 2017 to 2022 before competing with Los Angeles in 2024, is planning to return to the Growlers

  • “No meaningful progress” on signing Ambrose

• As of December 1, Khalif El-Salaam had no update to share on his 2025 playing plans

• One Los Angeles leader said there’s been “gradual progress with a potential candidate” to fill the team’s head coaching vacancy.

• I wish I could say more, but keep your eyes peeled for an announcement about the UFA expanding into a new market soon! I’ll have much more on how this team is coming together in the next edition of Inside the UFA!