July 25, 2025
By Shaggy Shragis
Philadelphia demolished the visiting DC Breeze 24 to 15 in a one-sided domination, capping off the fourth .500 or better season in franchise history. The Phoenix held a typically efficient DC offense to just 13 points on 29 offensive possessions, while their own offense masterfully maintained control of the disc, allowing just two DC breaks all game. Even though already eliminated from the playoffs, this was a brilliant game from a Philly team who sorely needed a comeback week after gut wrenching losses to Boston and New York.
Sean Mott was electric, completing 36 of his 38 pass attempts and throwing eight assists. Scott Heyman led all players in goals with five and chipped in three assists of his own. But while the Phoenix offense played nearly perfect ultimate, the Philly defense deserves much of the credit, stymieing DC’s attack and pouring in breaks. Not only did the Hotbirds force 14 break opportunities — keeping their streak of winning every game in which they forced double digit break opportunities alive — but they also converted on 10 of them. Furthermore, they held DC to just 61% on red zone opportunities, which would be the worst in the association for the season.
Five different Philly defenders got at least one block with Adam Grossberg, Max Tran and Nate Little each with two. Tran in particular showcased his brutal quickness, adding two assists and a goal to his stat line, all without throwing a turnover. In fact, all but four D-line players finished without an incompletion, marking an impressive display of patience with the disc. Nate Little’s assist and two blocks meant he finished the year with 13 assists and 16 blocks, over the 12 games he played this season. For Little to average over a block and assist a game is a huge piece for a defensive unit that looked shaky at times over the past two seasons.
DC was already locked into the number two overall seed, and with Philadelphia eliminated from the playoffs, this game did not have any stakes in the standings. However, while the Breeze did not play several of their core contributors, they called tight lines throughout the game and continued to play their offense through the final possession of the game. This win is a massive accomplishment for a Phoenix team, who swept the DC series for the first time since 2013, and beat a team with a winning record twice in a single season for the second time in franchise history.
This was a successful end to a surprisingly exciting 2025 season for the Hotbirds. Philly lost its top three plus-minus leaders from 2024 in Max Trifillis, Dmitry Suvorov and James Pollard, as well as their core handling duo in Alex Thorne and Jordan Rhyne, also playing without Greg Martin for most of 2025. Outside pundits predicted Philly to finish with the worst record in the division, and end as one of the worst teams in the Association. Yet the Phoenix were just two points shy of making the playoffs, and were particularly strong at home, where they went 3-3 and were +9. One of the biggest reasons for their success was the return to form of Sean Mott. Mott had one of the best seasons in his 10 year career, with 46 Assists and 16 goals all while completing 525 passes on 94% completion rate. The most throws in a single season for his career, and nearly 180 more than his per season average. Though it is true Mott was not the downfield threat putting up 50/40 splits as in 2017 and 2018, but his quieter performance as the primary handler for a young offense shepherded the Phoenix through what could have been a disastrous season.
Alongside Mott’s return to form was the explosion of young talent up and down the roster. Scott Heyman, who has been with the team since 2021, had his best year in the UFA, and was a budding MVP candidate through four games before suffering an injury against New York. Sam and Adam Grossberg — Sam making his professional debut this season — were electric in their arrival from Georgia Tech. While Mott led the team in total completions, the 19 year old rookie Sam Grossberg led the team in completions per game, as the team trusted the young Firebird to run their offense across difficult situations. Adam Grossberg meanwhile rejoined the young Phoenix defensive attack alongside a plethora of UFA rookies like Max Tran, Jack Wisner, Ethan Pigeon, Drew Loughnane, and Ethan Sarles. Even grizzled veteran defenders like Paul Owens and Ethan Holmgren — Owens just completed his sixth season for the Phoenix — are only 26, with their prime ahead of them.
The future is bright for Philadelphia, only one problem they faced this season might need solutions that stretch beyond roster construction and personnel. While Philly won three road games and three home games, their home point differential was 20 points better than that of their road splits. Three times this season the Phoenix lost on the road by nine or more points, and perhaps not coincidentally, all three were part of weekends where Philly played two games, making them 0-4 on back to backs. While some of this could be chalked up to inexperience, both from the players and coaches, there is enough veteran moxy on the roster one would think the Hotbirds should be able to handle road trips. Philly needs to create an environment that motivates players, particularly on forays to Montreal, one of the toughest trips to make in the UFA.
There are few prizes for fourth place in the UFA, but the Phoenix should take pride in putting together a season few thought them capable. The Hotbirds have laid a foundation for future success, and accomplished feats not seen in over a decade, namely beating the Breeze twice in one season. Now Philly must turn towards the off season with a task equally difficult to winning frisbee games — maintaining the team cohesion. If the Phoenix can carry the majority of their roster into next season, the 2026 Championship Weekend is well within their grasp.
