June 4, 2026
By Alex Rubin
At the top of the East Division standings sit the Boston Glory and the New York Empire. Collectively, they have won four of the last six league titles and rostered the last six seasons worth of MVPs. Across all sports, the Boston - New York rivalry is incredibly strong, and this year in the UFA it may pit the two best teams in the league against each other—with respect to Minnesota and Oakland who also have good reasons to be in that conversation.
This year, the matchup will be a battle of strong offenses. Neither the Empire nor the Glory are keen to give up the disc. Together they make up two of the top three teams in the league in completion percentage (New York in first at 96.48 percent, Boston in third at 95.18). Each offense is led by a Belgian star. Boston’s Tobe Decraene was last season’s MVP and is averaging five assists per game so far this season. New York will feature Daan De Marrée for the first time this season. The 2025 Rookie of the Year and MVP runner up will make his Empire debut after suiting up last season for the Chicago Union. Last year, De Marrée led the league in goals, plus/minus, and Expected Contribution on a per game basis. Though he is new to New York, his play will surely elevate an already star-studded team.
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The Alex Atkins led Empire offense is so far leading the league in scores per game (26.4) and has thrown the fewest turnovers per game (10.2). Balancing Atkins in the backfield, Braden Eberhard is one of the best possession handlers in the league. Alongside a midfield dominated by Jack Williams, Jacob Cowan, Oliver Chartock, and Matt LaBar, Ben Jagt has a size and speed advantage needed to go deep on just about any defender. Their success proves the point; the Empire have one of the most balanced offensive lines from a skill perspective in the entire UFA.
That being said, the Glory are no slouches themselves, and what sets apart the Glory is their defense. Boston is third in scores against per game (15.4, about one goal behind league leading Oakland) and second in blocks per game (12.8). Lander Decraene is among the league leaders in blocks and has been a revelation in his first year playing stateside. Oscar Graff and Turner Allen can suffocate their marks, even on the large UFA field. 2026 collegiate champion Roan Dunkerley will make his season debut this week. Dunkerley has not played since the 2024 season, and has since blossomed into one of the premier defenders in the college division. His addition will only enhance an already strong defense.
The undefeated defending champions are playing at home, and therefore should feel like slight favorites to win, but this game is basically a toss up. With a win, either team will temporarily move to first place in the division. These two teams play again in New York on June 12, and will likely meet again in the playoffs. The outcomes of those games will likely determine where that playoff matchup takes place.
