May 7, 2026
By Sam Weiger
Week 3 is loaded with must-watch storylines. We’ve got top-tier rivalries and highly anticipated season debuts for some of the league's top stars. The massive New York vs. DC showdown, a first look at a revamped Indianapolis AlleyCats roster, and highly anticipated season debuts of Will Selfridge and Kodi Smart headline this action-packed weekend.
Salt Lake Shred at Colorado Apex
Saturday, May 9 - 3:30 PM/ET - Watch link
While the bitter rivalry and history between Salt Lake and Colorado is what makes this a highly anticipated game, this matchup carries a much deeper significance. Both squads suffered shocking lopsided defeats last weekend, making this an opportunity for redemption as they both play their first big game since those blowout losses.
Watching the Shred fall by 10 goals was easily the more stunning development, and since Salt Lake remains the team far more likely to contend for a spot in Championship Weekend, my attention will center largely on them. Will the Shred implement the necessary adjustments to take down the Apex?
They will surely look to have a stronger start to the game and minimize turnovers after giving up 15 in the first half against Oakland. The D-line also needs to generate more disruption; they forced just 10 turnovers and recorded seven blocks in their loss to the Spiders, both of which fall well below their averages from last season.
The good news for Salt Lake is that the Pew brothers (Kimball and Sam), who missed the season opener against Oakland, are active on Saturday. The Pews are versatile defenders that specialize in defensive playmaking but also provide an offensive spark on the D-line.
Although Salt Lake will command most of the spotlight, Colorado actually faces a much steeper uphill climb after a sloppy season opener. The Apex coughed up a franchise-record 30 turnovers against Seattle and completely failed to capitalize on their break opportunities. Their defense was equally nonexistent, failing to record a single block—another unprecedented low for the franchise.
Much like last season, several core contributors remain sidelined early on due to college commitments, this time leaving talented youngsters Nanda Min-Fink and Daniel Bauman unavailable. Compounding Colorado's roster woes for this marquee matchup, the Apex will also be without Quinn Finer, Conor Tabor, and Jay Froude.
One Big Number:
11 - The Pew brothers each recorded 11 blocks last year, tying them for the second-highest total on the team.
0 - For the first time in their four-year history, Colorado failed to convert a single break chance in their loss to Seattle.
Oakland Spiders at Seattle Cascades
Saturday, May 9 - 6:00 PM/ET - Watch link
Shortly after Salt Lake and Colorado wrap up, the teams that dismantled them last weekend will go head-to-head in a battle for first place in the West Division.
Seattle’s recent blowout victory revealed that this dangerous squad, a 2024 Championship Weekend participant, is absolutely not to be overlooked in 2026.
Offensively, Spencer Lofink provided an immediate spark for the Cascades. A focal point of Seattle’s 2024 success, Lofink stepped right back into his high-volume role, anchoring the offense by leading the team in throwing yards (297), completions (36), and assists (five).
Seattle could also get a boost from Kodi Smart, who makes an exciting return to the UFA following a seven-year hiatus. After a sensational rookie campaign at just 19 years old—where he racked up over 500 completions and 60 total scores—Smart transitioned into a hybrid role during his second season, so it’s anyone’s guess as to how he’ll be utilized this weekend.
Defensively, the Cascades' D-line comes in riding high after a 16-block performance against the Apex. While Seattle's 16 blocks were impressive, that total comes with an asterisk given the high volume of floaty throws Colorado served up. Oakland will present a significantly tougher challenge for the Cascades' defense, having posted a 95 percent completion rate compared to the Apex's dismal 85 percent. I wouldn’t be surprised if Seattle experiences some adjustment pains early in the game against a much sharper opponent.
On the other side of the disc, I’m curious to see if Oakland maintains their balanced offensive approach. In contrast to previous seasons—where Walker Frankenberg anchored the scoring and Evan Magsig dominated touches as the clear QB1—the Spiders' O-line has found a beautiful equilibrium where every full-time offensive player is actively involved.
One Big Number:
10 - Oakland boasts a league-leading 10 players with at least six total scores (assists + goals).
55 - In 2024, Lofink posted a Total Adjusted Expected Contribution (Tot-aEC) score of 55, ranking eighth in the UFA for his ability to elevate the squad's scoring probability when he’s on the field.
Madison Radicals at Indianapolis AlleyCats
Saturday, May 9 - 6:00 PM/ET - Watch link
Heading into Week 3, only three teams have yet to take the field. With two of them squaring off this weekend, fans will get a highly anticipated first look at a pair of playoff contenders renewing their historic rivalry.
While both season debuts are compelling, the spotlight will shine brightest on Indianapolis following an unforgettable offseason. It remains to be seen how the AlleyCats will look after executing the league's most dramatic overhaul, completely transforming both their roster and coaching staff.
The primary storyline to track is Indy’s D-line, a unit with the on-paper potential to emerge as one of the UFA's top defensive groups. Their biggest offseason acquisitions, Will Wettengel, Xavier Payne, James Pollard, and Nate Little, combined for 62 blocks last season. Three of those players will be active on Saturday, with Payne listed as unavailable.
Can Madison’s O-line handle such a strong D-line? Historically, the Radicals have struggled mightily against disruptive defenses. Madison went 0-5 against Minnesota and Chicago, the top two defenses in the Central Division last year, and they’ve dropped nine straight to Minnesota during the Wind Chill's defensively dominant three-year stretch of Championship Weekend appearances.
The good news for Madison is that their offense has more upside this year, thanks to a promising mix of fresh talent and returning standouts. Highlighting the newcomers is Victor Luo, who rejoins Madison for his eighth season after a stint with the Union last year. Luo, alongside rising stars Noa Chun-Moy and Eric Sjostrom, gives the team a talented handling trio that will have plenty of targets, like rising standouts Gabe Vordick and Nico Ranabhat.
The matchup to watch when Madison’s offense takes on Indy’s defense is how handlers Sjostrom and Chun-Moy navigate Indy's new defensive wall of Wettengel, Pollard, and Little. To break through this wall, Madison’s top throwers will need to be very methodical and have excellent field vision.
One Big Number:
15 - Wettengel, Pollard, and Little each recorded at least 15 blocks last year.
31.05 - Sjostrom and Chun-Moy led the roster in Player Impact per Possession, combining for a stellar 31.05 average.
Atlanta Hustle at San Diego Growlers | Game of the Week
Saturday, May 9 - 9:30 PM/ET - Watch link
Following a Week 1 loss to Carolina, San Diego’s brutal early-season schedule continues, and they’re at risk of sliding to 1-4. To avoid falling into that hole, they’ll want to get past a hungry Hustle squad eager for a win after their heartbreaking loss to the Austin Sol.
San Diego receives massive reinforcements this week with the season debuts of Jonathan Lyle and KJ Koo. Lyle, the Growlers' biggest offseason acquisition, dominated as the top scorer for the LA Aviators last season. His debut couldn't be better timed as San Diego prepares to clash with a top tier Hustle offense. Last year, Lyle was a do-it-all weapon for LA, leading his former squad in assists (42), receiving yards (2,929), and hucks (21 deep throws at an impressive 75 percent completion rate).
Koo is one of my potential breakout stars for 2026, and his elite two-way versatility will be crucial in a matchup of this caliber. Last season, despite splitting time between the O-line and D-line, he still ranked in the top five for the Growlers in goals, hucks, and hockey assists per game. He was also one of only five players on the team with over 100 completions to finish 2025 above a 95 percent completion rate. On top of that, he finished as one of just three Growlers to record double-digit blocks.
Atlanta’s big name making his debut is Will Selfridge, who might make a bigger impact than Lyle and Koo in Saturday's primetime game. Selfridge has thrived in season openers in recent years: he posted a six-goal, 445-yard stat line against DC in 2024, and dominated Atlanta last year with six goals and a +9 plus/minus. Out of all Hustle players, he’s the one I'm most excited to see.
Atlanta was the one South Division heavyweight San Diego couldn't slay last season. The Growlers defeated Carolina and Austin, but were swept by Atlanta 3-0. Their lone clash in San Diego was the closest of the three—a buzzer-beating photo finish that went Atlanta's way. This Saturday, Atlanta returns to Mission Bay High School for the first time since that epic battle.
One Big Number:
65 - Atlanta's worst red-zone performance of last season happened at Mission Bay High School, where San Diego’s stingy red zone defense held the Hustle to a 65 percent conversion rate.
60.2 - Lyle’s Tot-aEC score with LA last year was 60.2, a mark that completely eclipsed the rest of the Aviators' roster, with his closest teammate lagging nearly 20 points behind at 40.6.
DC Breeze at New York Empire | Friday Night Frisbee
Sunday, May 10 - 1:00 PM/ET - Watch link
New York needed exactly one game to prove they are a title contender.
The Empire put on a clinic in their season opener, turning in a razor-sharp performance with a 97 percent completion rate and just eight turnovers against a solid Toronto squad.
The standout storyline from the opener was the instant chemistry between Alex Atkins and Ben Jagt in Atkins' Empire debut. With Daan De Marrée sidelined again, all eyes will be on whether the Atkins-Jagt connection can continue to dominate in the deep game against DC’s D-line. Unlike a Toronto squad that has mightily struggled against the deep ball over the last couple of years, DC boasts a stronger huck defense.
The spotlight will undoubtedly be on Atkins and Jagt, but I’m curious to see how Jack Williams performs against the Breeze. Williams wasn’t all that noticeable in the season opener, but that could change on Sunday, as he has a knack for delivering big performances against his arch rival. He racked up at least five scores in both games and had massive yardage totals.
While the Breeze are expected to be a playoff team this season, their opening two games hint at a potential ceiling. The O-line visibly sputtered, and they were clearly still searching for their identity without playmakers Rowan McDonnell, Tyler Monroe, and Thomas Edmonds. O-line standouts Cole Jurek and Aidan Downey also missed their first two games, and they’re expected to miss this game.
AJ Merriman saw a noticeable spike in his workload last week, and he absolutely thrived. Showcasing his versatility, Merriman made critical plays offensively and defensively. His extensive playing time in Week 2 raises an intriguing question: will DC consistently utilize him the same way the Shred deployed Chad Yorgason last year, as a workhorse?
With many questioning DC's overall ceiling in 2026 due to a perceived lack of depth, the team might look to keep as much star power on the field as possible.
One Big Number:
29 - Merriman’s 29 points played marked a new career milestone, his highest single-game workload to date.
600 - Williams averaged 600 total yards per game in three meetings with the Breeze last year.
