Denver takes its talent to South Beach on Saturday. Well, an hour or so north of South Beach, really, but you get the idea. Florida is coming off their first win of the year. If the MVP is understood as the individual who is the most important to their team, is Kieran McArdle not that person? Most people’s knee-jerk response would be Paul Rabil, but put him on a different team and New York is still a juggernaut. But take McArdle off of the Launch and right now, at this point in the season they’d be the hollow chocolate Easter bunny, no substance and overall disappointing.
The Launch looked much better against Ohio last week. Expect to see goalie Charlie Cipriano in net for his second consecutive game. Brett Queener will be in the Mile High City, coaching the Albany Great Danes in their quarterfinal matchup in the NCAA tournament. The Fairfield alum spent most of his career with the Outlaws, so their attack unit may have an advantage in that they know his tendencies.
Miles Thompson didn’t suit up for Florida last week, so is this week the week? If the Launch really want to make things interesting Rochester waived Jeremy Thompson last week. I’m willing to bet Haina can be gotten as well to complete the quad-fecta. But I digress… Put McArdle, Thompson, and Casey Powell on attack and Denver might blow a wheel in this game.
Defense continues to be the Outlaws’ weak point, so they will no doubt be glad to get Chris O’Dougherty back in the line up now that his NLL season is done. Cam Holding and Jeremy Noble were also moved to the active roster, bolstering the midfield and adding a couple more two-way options between the lines.
The Launch should add a bit more firepower if Connor Buczek suits up, although the MLL transaction page doesn’t officially list him as being moved to the active roster yet. Still, he may just be one of the guys out there without a name on the back of his uniform.
Overall, the Outlaws are the stronger team in this matchup. Florida got over the 0-for hump last week, and no doubt they’ll still have a chip on their shoulder. Still, the Launch are weak in the middle of the field, which is where Denver is strongest. Assuming Denver can do some damage in the transition game, which is a pretty safe assumption, look for the Outlaws to come out on top by three or more goals in this one.
