Ryan Baker

It’s been just over two years since the Madison Radicals traveled out to Pittsburgh to take on the Thunderbirds, but that timer will reset this Friday night at 7 p.m. EST for the first of two matchups in 2026 between these teams.

It’s always a tough road trip out to the newly named F.N.B Stadium (formerly known as Highmark Stadium) for Madison. A long bus ride ensues for the team, but that hasn’t stopped them from seeing success, as they beat the Thunderbirds 23-14 in their last game on the East Coast.

The previous two games between these teams were much closer. In 2023, Madison lost on a buzzer-beating hail mary in their season opener, while in 2022, they edged out a win by just one point. This sets the stage for Head Coach Jacob Spiro’s approach to facing the dangerous 2026 Thunderbirds.

“It’s always challenging to manage and maintain focus during an overnight travel trip,” Spiro stated. “It’s always harder to roll out of a bus and feel physically at your best. Also, what was lost in the shuffle of their home loss last week was the emergence of a talented O-line we will have to face.”

Coach Spiro’s warning rings true. Last week, Pittsburgh lost its first game but still dazzled with 24 goals and a 67 percent hold rate. Montreal managed 32 goals, but Pittsburgh’s offense remains explosive and thrilling.

With Marks listed as questionable, Madison’s D-line will need to focus on containing three Thunderbirds who each had at least four assists and more than 370 total yards last week: veteran Jimmy Towle, rookie Ian Piper, and rising star Will Hoffenkamp. Piper and Hoffenkamp are also questionable, but their likely presence underscores the challenge.

Marks’ availability remains uncertain, whereas Max Sample and Joe Leibforth are confirmed to be out for Madison’s second game of 2026.

“I really enjoy the long road trip,” said Madison’s Pieran Robert, who posted one assist, one goal, and two blocks in the first game of the season. “The bus can be a bit physically demanding, but if anything, the long ride allows you to focus on the game ahead. On the drive to Pittsburgh, all you have in front of you is frisbee.”

Madison is coming off a thrilling win against Indy, but Spiro emphasized the importance of staying focused throughout the long season to translate momentum into road success.

“The team is doing a great job not getting too low or too high from anything so far this year,” Spiro said. “Last week it was great to get a win, but ultimately it’s one game. You always want to learn from the prior games, but it’s a long season, and it’s just beginning.”

Madison unveiled a new offensive set against Indy, displaying more relaxation and purpose in their handler work. This development will be closely watched for continuity as the team faces Pittsburgh, with Robert acknowledging the natural ups and downs early in the season.

“Every week teams are going to get better, and every week it’s possible for a team to be a bit off,” Robert stated. “It’s our job to play the best game we can play and remove all preconceived ideas about what a team will look like. This past week, we knew the roster of Indy, but we could only predict what their systems and strategy would be. We’re going to take the same approach with Pittsburgh.”

Robert also mentioned that the biggest within the game will come down to Madison’s marking and physicality. Two guys who will surely provide that will be Anthony Gutowsky and Jake Carrico, who both have some of the best composite performances (goals + assists + blocks + plus/minus) in recent matchups against the Thunderbirds.

Gutowsky has seven goals in his last two games against Pittsburgh, and Carrico posted two goals, two assists, and two blocks in a 2024 matchup. This road trip will also test top offensive producers Nico Ranabhat, Eric Sjostrom, and Kainoa Chun-Moy, who will experience the Madison-to-Pittsburgh travel for the first time.

“After this past game at Indy, we all know we can turn the dial up a notch,” Robert said. “That starts with our pregame and our sideline. It’s a lot easier to generate team hype at home, but being able to manufacture the same on the road is a challenge. We did it well at Indy, and I’m sure we’ll be able to boost it again this Friday.”

Pittsburgh may have been underestimated in Central Division conversations, but this Friday is no walk in the park for Madison. Only razor-sharp focus will secure their second consecutive victory to start the season!

To watch the game this Friday night, go here!

The Radicals home opener is May 31st vs arch-rival Minnesota Wind Chill!