Chicago Union v. Pittsburgh Thunderbirds Game Preview
June 17th, 2025
Article by Weldon Genies
Photography by Noah Moell
CHICAGO—The Chicago Union hosts the Pittsburgh Thunderbirds at Martin Stadium on Friday, June 20th, @ 6:00 P.M. CT and will stream live at WatchUFA.tv.
Coming off a heart-breaking 25-16 loss against the Philadelphia Phoenix, the Thunderbirds enter this matchup at 2-5, which is fifth in the Central Division. Last season, Chicago and Pittsburgh only faced off once, with the Thunderbirds coming out on top, 17-12, in their Week 8 divisional matchup. Look for a motivated Union squad led by co-head coaches Dave Woods and Charlie Furse to avenge their loss from last season! While the Thunderbirds are currently near the bottom of the UFA in most offensive categories, Pittsburgh is 12th in red zone percentage, showing composure and patience in the red zone to convert when the opportunities present themselves. Prepare for another aggressive defensive game plan from the ferocious Union D-line, who look to prevent huck opportunities and make the Thunderbirds' O-line work for every single completion. The Union is currently second in the UFA in break percentage at 39.33%, as they have been elite at capitalizing on favorable opportunities to get the disk going quickly where the opposing team's D-line can't get back in time. The Union is also fifth in completion percentage at 94.74%, highlighting their high efficiency at moving the disk at will and capitalizing when the play is there to be made.
Two players to watch for the Thunderbirds are Marcel Oliart and Jonathan Mast, who have had fantastic seasons so far for Pittsburgh. In his second season with Pittsburgh, Oliart leads the team in total yards, receiving yards, goals, and +/-. Oliart has been a significant catalyst for the Thunderbirds' offensive line, stabilizing their offense as a spectacular receiver who consistently finds himself open in the red zone. In his ninth season with the Thunderbirds, Mast has been the foundational heartbeat for Pittsburgh, setting the tone as a veteran with his prowess as a handler. Mast currently leads the Thunderbirds in throwing yards and assists and is tied for first with Oliart in hockey assists. Everything goes through either Oliart or Mast on most offensive possessions for Pittsburgh, so the Union's D-line must always have their eye out for them so that they can best contain their O-line. This matchup provides another test for the Union to see how consistent their D-line can produce at a high level because if Woods and co. can further establish their identity as an elite squad defensively, week in and week out, they cement themselves as a top contender for UFA Championship week.
A player to watch for the Union is Nate Goff, who is fresh off his first 300/300 UFA performance in their 26-14 victory against the Indianapolis Alleycats this past Saturday. In his sixth season with the Union, Goff currently leads Chicago in total yards while being third in assists and +/-. Goff has been a jack of all trades for the U this season, providing sound handling as well as being an excellent receiving option downfield. Bringing his swagger and confidence to every match, Goff is a flat-out playmaker who can create for his teammates when the opportunity arises. Let's take a trip back to the Chicago Union's media day on April 6th, where I got a chance to speak with Nate about his outlook on the 2025 squad, where he emphasized the importance of pairing the foundational nucleus of players and coaches who have earned their stripes within the Union organization with a fresh crop of talents via newcomers.
"It feels really special to build upon the core that we have established within the Union, that was a part of this team since my early years with the program," Goff said. "With Dave Woods and Charlie Furse leading the helm, we have been able to acquire exciting and talented players, who once we are able to piece it together, we can make it happen."
Sitting at 4-0 now, Goff's foreshadowing of this Union squad was remarkably accurate, as their foundational principles and leadership are palpable throughout every game, with their composure and attention to detail complementing the high-flying talent they acquired during the past offseason. The synergy and chemistry between their entire roster are something to behold, and at Martin Stadium, Union fans will have the opportunity to witness it firsthand in person, along with a beautiful backdrop of Lake Michigan and downtown Chicago. The opening pull is scheduled for 6:00 P.M. CT and will stream live on WatchUFA.tv. Fans can secure tickets at gochicagounion.com. Additionally, free parking will be available for all fans, so bring plenty of energy to cheer on the U!
