May 7, 2025
By Adam Ruffner
24. Detroit Mechanix (-)
Record: 0-0
Last result: N/A
Next game: May 11 vs Pittsburgh
The Mechanix begin their quest for their second win since 2017 versus Pittsburgh this Sunday, the same team that Detroit notched their sole victory against last June. And without a shred of coincidence: Detroit has finished bottom three in scores allowed per game in every season since 2017. The T-Birds managed just 14 goals against Detroit in their last meeting, the lowest total for a Mechanix opponent in over five years. Jake Felton and Joe Cubitt are sure to provide an air show on offense, but the Mechanix’s chances at Win Two in 2025 will come down to how much their defense can limit the opposition.
23. Vegas Bighorns (-)
Record: 0-2
Last result: 22-12 (L) at Salt Lake
Next game: May 10 vs Seattle
Playing on the road at Salt Lake is a tough task and environment for even a seasoned and established throwing core, and the Bighorns struggled mightily to maintain any semblance of field position against a fast and hungry Shred defensive unit. Vegas yielded 10 break scores to the home team in Week 2, and now have 15 turnovers on huck attempts alone after their first two games. Pro vets Joel Clutton, Ryan Hiser, and Alec Benton can provide some production, but they need reinforcements from the Bighorns rookies soon.
22. Oregon Steel (-)
Record: 0-2
Last result: 28-13 (L) vs Oakland
Next game: May 17 vs Seattle
With 58 turnovers and 25 scores—including just three breaks—following their 0-2 start, the Steel can’t seem to connect on any kind of deep shot. Dating back to last season, Oregon has six games in their last eight outings in which they’re completing fewer than 50 percent of their huck attempts. And so far in 2025, Oregon is just 9-of-21 (43 percent) from range. The team gets a week off to recalibrate before hosting Seattle, a regional rival that the Steel completed 11 hucks against in their last matchup. Nate Knutson playing as a receiver is good for at least two “wow” plays per game.
21. Los Angeles Aviators (-1)
Record: 0-2
Last result: 25-16 (L) vs San Diego
Next game: May 10 vs Atlanta
As Los Angeles celebrates their 10 year anniversary of joining the league, the longtime core flight crew of Sean McDougall, Mitchell Steiner, and Andrew Padula continue to play with passion and a highlight flair. Louis Gosart looks ready to inherit the LA offense as the QB1 in his second season, while Kevin Goldberg and rookie Owen Shaff each had their moments in the season debuts. Unfortunately their individual performances haven’t been enough to offset the team’s deficiencies as the Aviators dropped two games to their rivals from San Diego by a combined 16 goals in Week 2. Like the pre-Pawel LA teams, this year’s iteration will struggle to consistently produce breaks.
20. Indianapolis AlleyCats (+1)
Record: 0-1
Last result: 25-21 (L) at Pittsburgh
Next game: May 10 vs Minnesota
Outscoring Pittsburgh on the road in the second half has to be a nice way for the young Alleycats to offset a somewhat disastrous start to their 2025 season. The frenetic and constant disc movement of the Indy offense from last year is gone, and in its place is a high tempo run-and-gun system that loves to get throwers out on the rails and to rip hucks into single coverage downfield. The ‘Cats attempted 17 hucks against the Thunderbirds, and while Indy only completed nine on the night, their continual pressure over the top opened up the field for the O-line to operate. Seth Gudeman finished with team highs in goals (5) and receiving yards (363), and can rampage a bit in the open. But how many teams outside of Detroit will this Indy team hold below 20 goals?
19. Montreal Royal (-)
Record: 0-1
Last result: 26-18 (L) at Boston
Next game: May 9 at New York
After missing the entire 2024 season recovering from an injury, former All-Star Jeremy Hill will be making his Royal introduction this Friday in New York. Hill nabbed nearly 90 goals over a three season stretch prior to 2023, and will be a valuable veteran asset wherever he is deployed. And while Montreal is definitely an underdog, the Royal fared well at Fosina Field in last season’s Empire home opener. If this team wants to avoid the divisional cellar in the standings, they will have to improve their ability to cash in defensive break chances; the Royal were just 2-of-7 (29 percent) in Week 1, and they’ve finished bottom six in each of the past two seasons in D-line conversion rate.
18. Houston Havoc (-)
Record: 0-2
Last result: 12-10 (L) vs Madison
Next game: May 10 at Austin
Rain and lightning conspired to cancel the Havoc’s comeback at home last Friday, and leaves Houston still searching for their first win against a non-defunct UFA franchise. There’s an undeniable toughness and versatility to this Havoc lineup owing to Head Coach Bex Forth’s open rotations and positionless philosophy. But it can also leave Houston without anchors in critical situations, as the Havoc continually turfed unforced opportunities against the Radicals and finished the night just 8-of-15 (53 percent) inside the red zone.
17. Madison Radicals (-1)
Record: 1-1
Last result: 22-17 (L) at Austin
Next game: May 17 vs Pittsburgh
The Radicals may have very well saved their season’s playoff chances with their narrow win in Houston. But with just 29 goals over two games and a sub-70 percent red zone conversion rate, the old questions about the stagnant Madison offense have re-emerged. The O-line now has four straight games going back to 2024 with a 47 percent or lower offensive success rate; the Radicals had the lowest success rate of any team to reach the postseason at 48 percent. Anthony Gutowsky stays scoring a lot of goals, but outside of him there is very little in the way of reliable production.
16. Pittsburgh Thunderbirds (+1)
Record: 1-0
Last result: 25-21 (W) vs Indianapolis
Next game: May 11 at Detroit
If the burgeoning cutting trio of Aiden Landis, Marcel Oliart, and John McMonigal can play like they did in their home opener and continue to stretch the field, the Pittsburgh offense will pack a playoff-level punch in 2025. The throwing foundation of Will Hoffenkamp, Anil Driehuys, and Jonathan Mast—the last of whom just passed his way into second all-time in UFA history in completions last Friday—were quick and precise with the frisbee per usual, and the Landis-Oliart-McMonigal unit connected on continuation hucks all game long as a result. Pittsburgh gets Detroit before a brutal stretch in their schedule: hosting Minnesota then Carolina, at Minnesota, back at home to host the Commonwealth Cup against a fired up Phoenix team, and then at Chicago on June 20 to face a Union squad favored by many to win the division.
15. Toronto Rush (-2)
Record: 0-2
Last result: 19-16 (L) at Philadelphia
Next game: May 10 vs Philadelphia
Make no mistake: There is individual talent all over this Rush roster. Arvīds Kārkliņš, Connor McHale, and the rest of the Euro imports are the real deal, Martin Gallant has track speed and quickness that is reminiscent of former Toronto legend Andrew Carroll, and the returned Rush veterans like Ty Barbieri, James Lewis, and Mike Mackenzie all contributed big plays. But as a unit there is very little cohesiveness between the parts, as evidenced by their slack defensive coverage, 34 total goals, and two road losses. This team could do a lot of damage, though, if they can convert in clutch settings; the Rush committed just 27 total turnovers on the weekend, and currently feature the seventh most efficient offense despite lacking a true team practice in the offseason given their new players from abroad; Kārkliņš cooking defenders or Barbieri double-pumping lefty backhands shows the swagger this team has from the get go.
14. San Diego Growlers (-)
Record: 2-0
Last result: 25-16 (W) vs Los Angeles
Next game: May 9 vs Atlanta
The Growlers cleared their closest rivals with ease in Week 2 and are now set up for a major confrontation with the Hustle to determine the top spot in the South Division standings. San Diego’s offense is nothing short of star-studded, with additions Khalif El-Salaam, Daniel Brunker, and Marcel Osborne all providing even more weaponry for Travis Dunn to target. Brunker in particular was a game changer and nitro boost for the Growlers attack, combining great athleticism and a quick trigger on his throws to consistently exploit Aviators coverage. Seattle will be the most interesting former team for El-Salaam to face this season, but don’t sleep on his coming revenge matchup against the Hustle this Friday.
13. Austin Sol (+2)
Record: 2-0
Last result: 22-17 (W) vs Madison
Next game: May 10 vs Houston
There’s heaters, and then there is whatever hot streak Jackson Potts is beginning this 2025 season on. Through two games Potts has amassed 15 scores and over 800 yards of total offense compared to just two total turnovers, and is averaging a scintillating 15 yards per touch in the process. There’s a clear command to his game as the captain of this Sol squad, and his rhythm with other Austin mainstays Kyle Henke, Joey Wylie, and Eric Brodbeck make Potts nearly impossible to contain as his blends between throwing and receiving roles. The Sol get Houston again before a big test against Colorado in Austin on May 17.
12. Seattle Cascades (-3)
Record: 0-1
Last result: 22-21 (L) vs Oakland
Next game: May 9 at Oakland (Friday Night Frisbee)
This is a precipitous decline in the rankings for a solid Seattle team that suffered a one-goal setback versus top-five opponent. But such is the state of the overcompetitive landscape, and the brutally thin margins between success and failure in 2025. Garrett Martin remains one of the best red zone operators on offense in the association, Aaron Wolf can take over entire points by himself in his second pro season, and rookie Conor Belfield was leading the fastbreak on numerous occasions. But it was Zeppelin Raunig and his dominance down the stretch in the fourth quarter that made the ‘Scades rally possible. He finished with career highs in goals (10) and receiving yards (478), and looked able to get open downfield and in the endzone at will even when covered by two Spiders defenders.
11. Philadelphia Phoenix (+1)
Record: 2-0
Last result: 19-16 (W) vs Toronto
Next game: May 10 at Toronto
Philly can fully go from feisty to feeling it if they get the road win in Toronto this Saturday and sweep the season series against the Rush. Sean Mott is as comfortable in his facilitator role as at any point in his career, and his confidence is infused throughout this Phoenix offensive rotation. Sam Grossberg had one of the most impressive pro debuts in recent years, and Scott Heyman would be my pick for early season MVP given his outrageous production and sense for the moment. But for as impressive and dynamic as the O-line has looked, it’s been the tenacity of the Philadelphia defense and their four quarter pressure that has this team atop the East. Paul Owens is still one of the best handler defenders around, and while they make lack some name recognition, there is not really a weak link amongst the bunch through the first two games.
10. Salt Lake Shred (+1)
Record: 1-1
Last result: 22-12 (W) vs Vegas
Next game: May 23 vs Seattle
The defensive pulling tandem of Kyle Weinberg and Eugene L'Heureux pinned the Vegas offense repeatedly against the back line, and the Shred defense swarmed early possession throws and rolled up 10 break scores against the Bighorns. On offense, the Shred had multiple possessions where it seemed like the defense failed to set a mark, outpacing coverage and continually finding the open receiver with plenty of available real estate. And through just two games, Chad Yorgason and McKay Yorgason have 19 total scores and over 2,000 total yards of offense. A fully healthy Jordan Kerr is once again back to dotting the end of Salt Lake drives with his signature lefty assists.
9. Colorado Summit (+1)
Record: 1-0
Last result: 24-12
Next game: May 16 at Houston
Colorado is 5-1 in the six games since Quinn Finer returned from injury midway through the 2024 season. And since his return, Finer is averaging over five scores and 480 total yards per game as the top option on one of the league’s most dangerous O-lines. With such a precise passer leading the attack, it’s no coincidence that the Summit are averaging just 15 turnovers per contest over that same stretch. The Summit won’t get the same 12-break allowance that they cashed in on in Week 1 against every opponent, but if the Colorado defense can get back to a top 10-ish break rate this season, the offense is good enough to carry.
8. New York Empire (-)
Record: 1-1
Last result: 32-13 (W) at Vegas
Next game: May 9 vs Montreal
The Empire get their home opener this Friday against Montreal before a rematch with Boston and potential revenge against a Glory team that eliminated New York from the playoffs. New York’s five-goal defeat to begin the season was a major setback in some ways—the Empire have too tough of a divisional schedule to be able to afford interdivisional losses—but also could be big motivation for the league’s winningest franchise over the last five seasons. Calvin Brown is set to make his Empire debut against the Royal, and his throwing prowess could be a difference maker for the rest of the season.
7. DC Breeze (-)
Record: 1-1
Last result: 19-18 (W) vs Toronto
Next game: May 10 vs Carolina (Game Of The Week)
Christian Boxley and Tyler Monroe were, unsurprisingly, major contributors in their 2025 debuts, and helped the Breeze edge past Toronto to avoid an early season 0-2 pitfall. Even without center handler Andrew Roy in the lineup, DC got back to their smooth smallball selves and crisp execution in tight spaces, and finished 17-of-20 on red zone opportunities. The fluidity of the offensive system means many hands contribute, but Jacques Nissen is undoubtedly at the center of the action and his vision and execution as a thrower in his sixth pro season has become truly elite. One area to watch: the Breeze do not possess a lot of height on their roster, and an early result is that they have been losing 50/50 jump ball scenarios.
6. Carolina Flyers (-1)
Record: 0-0
Last result: N/A
Next game: May 10 at DC (Game Of The Week)
Even though the game was stalled before halftime, new offensive pieces Rutledge Smith, John McDonnell, and Sean Wiles made sizable impacts. Smith and McDonnell carried over their smooth chemistry from college ball together, swinging and gouging a tough Atlanta defense with ease and setting up downfield shots that the rookie Wiles was capitalizing on. It quickly quiets any skepticism that this team would dip much following a light exodus of star talent, and it makes this coming Saturday’s “Game Of The Week” in DC another must-see event between two interdivisional rivals.
5. Oakland Spiders (+1)
Record: 3-0
Last result: 28-13 (W) at Oregon
Next game: May 9 vs Seattle (Friday Night Frisbee)
The Spiders offense was absolutely on fire through the first three quarters in Seattle last Saturday before a sputtering fourth quarter almost gave away the lead. The rookie tandem of Leo Gordon and Adam Rees have been nothing short of a revelation, and their speed and pace of play has elevated the entire Spiders offense into a potential top five unit this season. The phrase “video game numbers” gets tossed around frequently, but Walker Frankenberg is truly putting up those kinds of stats through his first three games of his third season, averaging a freakish eight scores and 557 total yards per game. Now the tough part: Can the Spiders do it again against the Cascades, and really cement themselves as a contender in the West?
4. Atlanta Hustle (-)
Record: 1-0
Last result: 23-21 (W) vs Salt Lake
Next game: May 9 at San Diego
Through their first 35 possessions of the season, the Hustle offense look like the premier unit in the league. Atlanta has missed just one red zone scoring opportunity in 20 chances combined over their first one-plus games. Austin Taylor has yet to commit a turnover in 65 touches as the primary engine, and the new jolt of Adam Miller on the O-line seems to provide the spark the team has been searching for the past couple seasons. And no team can match the pure goal scoring proficiency and drive finishing ability the Hustle receiving quintet of Brett Hulsmeyer, Jeremy Langdon, Cameron Brock, Karl Ekwurtzel, and Alec Wilson Holliday bring. Atlanta is clearly built for a championship run, and now they just have to go out and prove it against possibly the toughest schedule in the league.
3. Chicago Union (-)
Record: 0-0
Last result: N/A
Next game: May 17 at Minnesota
With the explosive starts from other European stars, anticipation builds for Daan De Marrée and Sofiène Bontemps and the beginnings of their pro careers with the Union. Chicago has finished as a bottom 10 team in huck success in each of the past two seasons, and figures to rebound sharply with all of their new talent. Captain Dex Dremann led the team last season in completed hucks (29), and his lefty bombs could be big again in igniting the Chicago transition attack.
2. Boston Glory (-)
Record: 1-0
Last result: 26-18 (W) vs Montreal
Next game: May 10 vs Montreal
The return of Glory vets Henry Babcock and Noah Backer, as well as a healthy Rocco Linehan, gives the Boston defense a lot of added firepower in their counterattack. Glory led the league in defensive efficiency in 2024, but scored a very pedestrian 6.2 breaks per game. That number could jump with the presences of Babcock, Backer, and Linehan, as well as the added depth to the Glory defensive rotation; what a complete luxury to put Tannor Johnson-Go and Tyler Chan on D-line.
1. Minnesota Wind Chill (-)
Record: 0-0
Last result: N/A
Next game: May 10 at Indianapolis
Minnesota’s big new adds Justin Burnett and James Pollard make their Wind Chill introductions in Indy this coming weekend, with Burnett coming off a four score, two block performance in his last game against the ‘Cats. Pollard joins 2025 All Defense selection Cameron Lacy and Sam Berglund to give Minnesota yet another elite puller to their already league-best arsenal. Minnesota marched right to a title by owning the battle for field position, and they could employ a very similar strategy throughout 2025.
