Team Profiles For All Four Semifinal Teams


Photo by Ron Sellers

August 24, 2026
By Ryan Baker

As we count down to Championship Weekend, each team has reached the pinnacle of the UFA season in different ways. This is one of the most exciting and anticipated groupings of teams in recent memory. Let’s look at how each team got here, their biggest impact players, and key stats that led them to the final four.

1st eed: Oakland Spiders (12-1)

The Spiders started the 2026 season on fire. They won their five games by a combined 64 points and suffered their only loss by one to Minnesota. Having to handle injuries in the back half of the season, slowed their efficiency but showed the depth of their roster. The Spiders play fast and are one of the best teams at consistently using the entire width of the field.

Biggest wins:

  • 4/26: vs. Oregon (34-11) – While the Steel aren’t the most formidable opponent, this game set the stage for the hot start for Oakland. There have only been two other games with that large of a victory since 2021.

  • 5/2: vs. Salt Lake (25-15) – In their second game, Oakland proved the rout against Oregon wasn’t a fluke. Before this season, Oakland was 0-8 all-time against the Shred.

  • 8/8: vs. Salt Lake (20-16) – Even with two of their biggest stars out in the Divisional Championship, Oakland showed their depth and tenacity to pull out the win.

Key players:

  • Daniel Ritthaler: When Ritthaler went down with an injury in early June, Oakland’s offense lost a step. As their top receiver, he led the team with 27 assists and 31 goals in just nine games.

  • Walker Frankenburg: Frankenburg is the engine of the Spiders’ offense. His 4,990 total yards are 1,000 more than his next teammate, and he is one of 16 players this season to eclipse 2,000 throwing and receiving yards.

  • Evan Magsig: Magsig’s switch to D-line greatly influenced Oakland’s success. Even while playing 17 offensive points, he was second on the team with 31 assists.

Key team stats:

  • Huck throwaways per game: 2.08 – While Oakland doesn’t rely a ton on their deep game, they take incredibly calculated shots, giving them the fewest huck turnovers per game in the league.

  • Break percentage: 39.29 percent – This is the third-highest mark in the league and the money maker for them. Their athletic defense and quick transition offense have driven them all season.

  • Scores against per game: 16.31 – Oakland allows the fewest goals per game and excels at getting the disc back after a turnover, preventing opponent breaks.

2nd seed: Minnesota Wind Chill (12-1)

The Wind Chill have played their most complete season in franchise history. Their offense is one of the league's most efficient units, and their defense maintains its hard-nosed style. Minnesota dominated the Central Division and tough interdivisional matchups, losing only one game to the reigning champs from Boston by one. Showing how deep their roster is, there are players who were key pieces last season, who won’t be seeing the field next weekend. Anyone can have a major impact in any game.

Biggest wins:

  • 6/12: @ Oakland (19-18) – This was Minnesota’s first test outside of the Central Division, and it came down to the wire, showing the resilience of the Wind Chill.

  • 6/19: vs. Salt Lake (20-16) – Considering the relative weakness of the Central, this interdivisional game against a prolific program saw them lead by five after the first quarter.

  • 8/8: vs. Indianapolis (22-20) – The score of the Central Divisional Championship doesn’t articulate how the Wind Chill were in control for a majority of the game.

Key players:

  • Nate De Morgan: The versatility of De Morgan has given so many layers to Minnesota’s offense. Through his nine games, he has 24 assists and 25 goals, the second-most scores on the team.

  • Will Brandt: Brandt has shifted from quarterbacking the offense to being a major downfield threat. He leads the team with 56 total scores, combined from 30 assists and 26 goals.

  • Gordon Larson: Larson’s 4,776 throwing yards are more than double his next teammate and second-most in the league. He replaced Brandt as the quarterback and has excelled.

Key team stats:

  • O-line conversion rate: 59.23 percent – Compared to 2025, Minnesota’s O-line conversion rate jumped eight points, moving from 14th best to 5th best this season.

  • D-line conversion rate: 64.65 percent – Minnesota has numerous All-Defense selections across their D-line, and it has paid off, giving them the second-best D-line conversion rate in the UFA.

  • Turnovers per game: 13.38 – This is the second-fewest mark in the league, and it’s shown through 16 of their players having their career-best in completion percentage this season.

3rd seed: Austin Sol (12-1)

The Sol are one of the best teams during crunch time. They had two overtime wins to start the season and had two more later in the year. Additionally, the Sol had three games decided by two or fewer points. Their tenacious defense keeps them in games, and their high-octane offense finishes them. 

Biggest wins:

  • 4/26: vs. Atlanta Hustle (27-26) – This game set the tone for the Sol’s season, going into a sudden-death match against one of the most highly touted teams to start the season.

  • 6/5: @ San Diego (20-19) – This was their second test of the season against a highly competitive team, and once again it ended in an overtime finish.

  • 8/7: vs. Carolina (24-23) – During the Divisional Championship, Austin didn’t gain their first lead until halfway through the fourth quarter, and this was against one of the best offenses.

Key players:

  • Kyle Henke: Henke has become the most dangerous thrower for the Sol, doubling his previous career-high in assists. He drives the offense and makes jaw-dropping plays on both ends.

  • Evan Swiatek: Swiatek is the definition of consistency. In his five-year career, he has never had a season with fewer than 50 total scores.

  • Matthew Armour: Armour proved his versatility by playing both ways during the Divisional Championship. He is the anchor of the Sol’s D-line, with 25 assists, 10 goals, and 7 blocks.

Key team stats:

  • Red zone conversion rate: 86.26 percent – Three teams have a better red zone completion rate than the Sol, and it is one of the most important areas on the field to excel in.

  • Scores per game: 23.46 – Over the last three years, this team has averaged around 21 goals per game, and that leap to above 23 is going to be crucial against the other high-powered offense.

  • Blocks per game: 12.08 – This is the strength of this team, but it’s when these blocks happen. The Sol average nearly three blocks per game in the fourth quarter.

4th seed: New York Empire (12-2)

After adding Daan De Marrée and Alex Atkins, the Empire automatically shot to the top of most people’s list for best teams in the league. They’ve lived up to those expectations by producing the second-best offense in UFA history. New York’s two losses came from Boston and an early season last second finish against DC. 

Biggest wins:

  • 5/23: @ DC (18-14) – After suffering a devastating loss a couple weeks before DC, New York bounced back to take them down in a game where they didn’t trail a single time.

  • 6/5: @ Boston (21-17) – For the first matchup against the Glory, the Empire went into Boston and came out firing. They went on a four-point run in the first quarter to lead the win.

  • 8/8: @ Boston (24-21) – The Empire were the only visiting team to win during the Divisional round in a game where the first quarter was once again the difference in the game.

Key players:

  • Ben Jagt: Jagt is having his best season since 2022, leading the team in scores with 73 even with missing two games. He makes big-time plays in big-time moments.

  • Alex Atkins: Atkins has been the driving force of this impressive offense. He has seamlessly integrated into the system and leads the league with over 8,000 total yards.

  • Daan De Marrée: De Marrée didn’t join New York until halfway through the season, but is already fifth on the team in scores and second in total yards. He is a matchup nightmare.

Key team stats:

  • Turnovers per game: 11.14 – The fewest mark in the league by two turnovers, and is the most impressive stat for the New York offense. It’s also the lowest mark in UFA history.

  • O-line conversion rate: 67.62 percent – Being five percentage points above second place, this is another record-breaking number, good for second-best in UFA history.

  • Huck percentage: 77.07 percent – If you want to play in the air against the Empire, it’s going to work out well. They have the best huck percentage, behind the second-most attempts.