May 21, 2026
By Alex Rubin

Just a week after their double overtime thriller, the Atlanta Hustle and Carolina Flyers are prepared to meet again on “Friday Night Frisbee” (though this game takes place on Saturday night this week). This week’s game is actually the second in a four-game series, a quirk of the schedule that will shine a spotlight on both teams’ coaching adjustments and depth. 

Adjustments that might typically need to be sorted out over the span of the entire season will be seen in just a few days. With the tightest possible matchup last week, the difference in this week’s game could come down to the chess match between the coaching staffs of each franchise as they seek to build a bigger advantage.

In other sports like basketball, baseball, or hockey, two teams playing a series of games against each other is common. Such schedules are not typically made in any form of ultimate, so this is a really unique opportunity to see what that looks like and how the different teams adjust to the new form of competition.

More than just an experiment, the way that this series plays out will certainly affect the playoff picture. In such a competitive division, no team can afford to write off a given week. With losses already to Austin and San Diego, Atlanta can scarcely afford another loss in the event that tie breakers are needed to separate the four South Division playoff contenders into the three playoff spots. Carolina is also certainly feeling the pressure to return to the playoffs after missing the postseason for the first time in franchise history last season. It can feel a bit cliche to say that every game matters, but in this tight of a race, it is also a truth.

One other element to pay attention to is the impact of college-aged players. Carolina’s Tobias Brooks, Zeke Thoreson, and Josh Singleton are all scheduled to play next week at the D-I College Championships, but they could see the field for the final matchup of this series. Likewise, Adam Miller and Brett Hulsmeyer will be out for Atlanta, as those two also coach Georgia Tech in addition to their playing duties with the Hustle. Will Selfridge and Michael Poe are playing at the College Championships and are listed as out for Atlanta, too. While the coaches will have their weeks full making strategic adjustments, they will also need to do so while relying on more depth than they might in a typical week.

In last week’s matchup, the Flyers fell short in a few key areas. Carolina gave up more huck turnovers and generated five fewer break chances than Atlanta. While they completed the same amount of hucks and a similar amount of breaks, in a game with such thin margins every little bit counts. Whether Carolina dials back their deep game or looks to strategically exploit a different part of the field, expect an adjustment to their hucks. 

On the other side, Atlanta left a lot more break opportunities on the table than Carolina. Whether they cross over more offensive players to convert breaks or adjust their counterattack methodology, the Hustle could give themselves a bit of breathing room on the scoreboard by converting more of their chances.

Making these adjustments while also adjusting some key personnel could be tricky, but such is the challenge of professional ultimate. As the season picks up and the standings start to shake out, this game is clearly among the most pivotal in the schedule and both teams will be going to a decisive win, even knowing that there’s another matchup in another week. Given their history both long-term and recent, expect these two teams to put on a show no matter who is on the field.