Chicago Union v. Minnesota Wind Chill Game Preview

May 16th, 2025

Article by Weldon Genies

Photography by Daniel Cohen

CHICAGO—The Chicago Union will travel to Minneapolis on Saturday for a highly anticipated matchup against the Minnesota Wind Chill, the defending UFA champions. 

The Union are gearing up to face a squad that is already 1-0, following their dominant 32-17 victory against the Indianapolis AlleyCats this past weekend. The Wind Chill won the 2024 season series against Chicago 2-1, with both teams winning on the road, so an opportunity is presented for the Union to set the tone for this season.

While the Wind Chill made notable additions to an already stout roster, the Union had as good of an offseason as anyone in the entire UFA. The team made additions from within the UFA and beyond, such as international studs Daan De Marrée and Sofiène Bontemps, along with Xavier Payne from the Indianapolis AlleyCats. 

A player to watch for in Minnesota is Will Brandt, who is fresh off his first career 300/300 game with 330 passing yards and 392 receiving yards this past Saturday. He is a dynamic player who played a significant role in the team’s 2024 championship run, earning the designation of 2024 UFA Finals MVP for his performance. For the Union to come out of Minnesota with a win, they must contain Brandt and ensure that he cannot get clean throws off, because once his quick release gets going, the continuations that follow become problematic for opposing defenses.

One key player to watch for the Union is team captain Jack Shanahan, who consistently made his mark in last season’s matchups against Minnesota. In Week 3, he paced the team with four assists and tied for the highest plus-minus and most points played. By Week 10, he again led with five assists, and in Week 11, Shanahan exploded for five goals and a game-high +8 plus-minus in the Union’s 25-20 win. With a roster that blends veteran returners and exciting new additions, strong leadership from Shanahan and other core players will be critical in setting the tone as the team builds chemistry in its season debut.

The Union’s 2025 campaign kicks off with a golden chance to upset the reigning champs on their home turf. Don’t miss the action this Saturday, May 17, with opening pull at 6:00 p.m. CT, streaming live on watchufa.tv.