It is a unique year in the MLL with the season coinciding with the World Games this summer. This only means that the team of All Stars will be playing against those selected to represent Team USA in Denver this summer. There is a wealth of youth on the roster, so it will be a treat to get a chance to see the next group of stars coming into their own.
Joe Walters and Drew Westervelt have had the most All Star appearances between them with 12 total. Eric Law will be joining them on the attack line. Law has been great since joining the Outlaws since his Final Four run with Denver. His stellar performance in last seasons playoffs put him on the map and he has only continued to produce. Matt Danowski might be the one player truly slighted by the USA Committee and he will be entering the game ready to show that they made a mistake.
Joel White, Michael Simon, Ryan Flanagan, and Brodie Merrill are a formidable long stick midfield group. White has the ability to cover anyone and run for days. He is one of the most athletic players in the entire game. Simon is really coming into his own and is deserving of this honor after the rise in his game from the hard work he brings to the table. Flanagan is one of the best defenseman and one of the faces of the Charlotte program that made it to the championship game last season.
The youth and likely difference in the game is at the midfield position. Tom Schreiber is a rookie, Peter Baum is just making his way into the MLL ranks, Kevin Crowley has delivered for his Florida squad, and Justin Turri is making noise in Rochester. Facing off with Anthony Kelly and John Ortolani will likely be a disadvantage as well. Jeremy Sieverts will be looked to produce in bulk as he is the face of the Denver team whose last regular season loss came two seasons ago.
On defense, Brett Schmidt will hold his attackman and Michael Manley is an animal on the field. Kyle Sweeney is in the twilight of his professional career but moving to close defense has been a great move for him and the Boston Cannons. Flanagan will likely move down to close on the evening with the amount of LSM’s being carried on the roster.
In goal Jordan Burke and Brett Queener will be exciting to watch. Both are smaller in frame with very quick reflexes. Aside from that, they play a very different game. Queener is noisy, exciting, and a talker out there. Burke is a much more at home style than his counterpart in goal. If there is one thing for certain, Queener will make it interesting at some point during the competition.
It will be a good contest between the MLL All Stars and those representing Team USA Lacrosse this summer in Denver. Look for those representing USA to have the advantage with players like Tucker Durkin, Paul Rabil, Rob Pannell, and Steele Stanwick. The youth and grinding ability of Team USA will make the difference on the stat sheet. The international game is much different than the MLL style, so the transition will be difficult but hopefully the team will have a bond already in place before Denver through the All Star Game experience.
– Brian Davies
@briandavies15
