UFA Players React To Detroit Ending 81-Game Losing Streak


June 27, 2024
By Evan Lepler

Almost every Monday during the season, I reach out to a couple dozen players and coaches around the UFA, seeking their insights and perspectives about what transpired that particular weekend. Normally, I’m just inquiring about the game they were directly involved in, but obviously this was not a normal frisbee weekend. 

Consequently, I thought it’d be fun to share some player chatter from folks around the UFA after they were asked the following questions: 

1) What was your reaction to Detroit snapping their 81-game losing streak? 

2) What was your first thought when you saw the Mechanix were gonna win on Saturday night?

“Not going to lie, I was absolutely stoked for Detroit to finally snap their streak. I got a couple friends on that team, and we have several Indy natives on that team, so it was cool to see them win. I also have always been friends with Brent Steepe, and he is such a nice guy, so I am very happy for him to get that win after an unbelievable amount of perseverance over the last several years. Seeing that win almost made me forget about our loss to Chicago for a brief amount of time.” - Travis Carpenter, Indianapolis AlleyCats

“I actually watched almost all of the Mechanix game on my phone while I had the PUL semifinals up on the TV. I had heard Pittsburgh was going to be missing a lot of people, so I turned it on when Detroit was up a couple in the first quarter. Certainly wasn't expecting them to win by 11, but they immediately just looked better than Pittsburgh when I was watching. I’m sure that's not something that happens very often, but I haven't watched too much of the Mechanix. I kind of feel like they've lost their whole reason for existing now [...] now they're just a regular old terrible team with no claim to fame.” - Ryan Drost, New York Empire 

“The most shocking part to me was how handily they appear to have won that game! They actually announced it over the PA during our game in Oakland, and I almost thought I must have heard him incorrectly about what the final score was. I’m happy for those guys up there to get a win, as it has to be incredibly challenging to want to keep coming back. So the fact that they have continued grinding and ended it in such drastic fashion is cool to see. Hopefully they can build off it because sports are a lot more fun when there’s balance between teams.” - Travis Dunn, San Diego Growlers

“I’m happy for the Mechanix. It’s always cool seeing teams achieve a goal they’ve been working at for a long time.” - Quinn Finer, Colorado Summit

“You can't help but be excited for them. Their last win before this was a full year before I would recover from an ACL surgery and restart my career with the Phoenix. Since then I've played in 50 games across three different East Division teams, four teams if you count 2020 with DC. It feels almost surreal that the streak has ended. I can't help but wonder if this will give them the boost they need to continue finding success or if it removes the relevancy, excitement, and interest from a team that is perennially at the bottom of the Central Division.” - Ethan Fortin, New York Empire

“WOW, to win and win by 11 is wild. Someone on our sideline was on their phone during our game and at first I was pissed then they said they were watching Detroit win and I was for it!” - Brett Hulsmeyer, Atlanta Hustle

“Congrats to Detroit on their victory! From what I’ve heard, a large part of their success was Pittsburgh missing players for a club tournament. Either way, a win is a win and Detroit won by quite a big margin. I did not watch the game, so I don’t have anything to say about how they played to get the victory.  Obviously, Dallas got many comments for being the only winless team this season. While we don’t think we are the worst team in the league, it’s definitely some motivation going into the last stretch of the season.” - Jason Hustad, Dallas Legion

“My first thought was that Detroit beat Pittsburgh who beat Minnesota/Indy/Chicago. So Detroit is greater than the rest of the division!? On a serious note, it's awesome for Detroit. Shrew [aka former Mechanix Andrew Sjogren] was actually wearing his old Detroit jersey at our post-game sponsor bar—shout out Double Clutch!—because he ‘knew they were going to win.’ On a strategic note, it definitely helps us in the standings after our loss to Pittsburgh. On a streak note, now it'll change the mindset going into the Detroit games: Don't have to worry about being the team that they snap the streak on, just another opportunity to get a win.” - Sam Kaminsky, Chicago Union

“I was a little shocked. Not just that they won but the margin at which they did it. Playing a complete game isn’t easy and it really does seem like they did that. Big win for the team and the franchise, in my opinion.” - Chris Lung, Oakland Spiders

“We were all smiles. Happy to see a victory for folks who have definitely earned it through pure stubborn determination. Can't help but feel happy for everyone over at that organization. Wonder what's next for them.” - Jonny Malks, DC Breeze

“That was a big and exciting surprise. I hope more people tune into them to see if they repeat that kind of game!” - Greg Martin, Philadelphia Phoenix

“Shoutout Noah Sawyer representing Arlington in the win with Detroit.” - AJ Merriman, DC Breeze

“I saw the roster early in the week for Pittsburgh and thought if any week was going to be the week this would be it. Along with Detroit playing probably more consistently than any iteration over the last four years. We heard that they won immediately after our game finished and my initial thought was ‘No way, they finally pulled it off!’ Then to see they won by 11, each goal they poured on in the fourth must've felt incredible.” - Bryan Vohnoutka, Minnesota Wind Chill

“As for the Detroit win, haha [...] I laughed. Good for them! Now Dallas has the longest losing streak in the league and we almost lost to them [...] And they almost beat Houston the night after. Overall, this season has had a lot more parity across the league, and this is just another example of that. Anything can happen.” - Joey Wylie, Austin Sol