The days are getting ever closer to the World Games in Denver this July. The United States Team is on the verge of being announced and it will be a scramble for other teams to try to match up with this late knowledge going into the games. Each position is loaded with All Americans, a few Player of the Year Awards, and a couple Tewaaraton Award Winners. Here is the analysis of the likely final roster for the games.
Attack:
Steele Stanwick is a mastermind in the game of lacrosse. His game is so fluid and surprisingly versatile for his size. Stanwick will be the quarterback of Team USA and provide a solid foundation behind the net.
Rob Pannell can do it all. He is a highlight reel unto himself and can come in as a role player or the quarterback. Having someone who can play without the ball and with will make his presence immediate on the team.
Garrett Thul is the goal scorer that the Americans need to continue their dominating play in international competition. He will shoot the ball from anywhere and he is trusted with the decisions he makes during play. Thul can go and get a goal himself if the time calls for it in Denver.
Brendan Mundorf is the elder statesman on the attack line. He will also be player that can bounce between quarterback or first option to shoot. Mundorf will be the only attackman with experience playing in these games, but he will be asked to help get the youth movement at attack more in line to the international rules.
Ned Crotty will likely make the roster due to the fact that he can bounce between midfield and attack. The team is loaded with players that can be used as utility players during games. It is important to note of those, Crotty is the most decorated and has played in all types of situations during his career.
Midfield:
Max Seibald is a definite due to his skills and overall leadership ability. He is a stong candidate for Team Captain as well. He can do whatever is asked of him and do it successfully.
Kevin Buchanan is an attackman in the MLL but will move back to midfield for the World Games. He can produce in bunches or he can be a complimentary player. Buchanan will be asked to carry a heavy scoring touch these games.
JoJo Marasco is the best feeder in the entire group. Luckily the team will have dedicated athletes at defensive midfield otherwise he would likely be a liability on the defensive side.
David Lawson was a defensive midfielder during his early career at Duke. He made his way onto the grand scale and was midfielder of the year as a senior. Lawson will be a player asked to stay on the field when he can to take advantage of transition opportunities as well.
Paul Rabil is the scoring punch and face of US Lacrosse. Coming back from an injury has only intensified his resolve and he will be counted on to produce for his team. Leading his team in points in the MLL is a good sign that Rabil is ready to go.
Kyle Harrison is going to make his return to the offensive side of the ball for the games even though he is listed as a defensive midfielder. There isn’t much in the way of players who have international experience on the roster and Harrison does. He is still super athletic and will get to the goal.
Matt Abbott will do it all for Team USA. Likely the most athletic player anyone has ever seen in the game, he is a one man clear, will take offensive runs when the right personnel are on the field, and be on the wing for every faceoff. He is ready to show his talent to the world and will show the type of player every coach wants to build his team with.
Jeff Reynolds will hold down the second defensive midfield position. He is another stellar athlete. Reynolds can face off when needed as he did with the Philadelphia Wings in years’ prior. He will push transition as well, giving the United States opportunities for easy goals.
Chris Eck will be the man facing off. Greg Gurelian was added again to the roster and both will have their opportunities but both can be very streaky. Both are solid faceoff players but looking back on recent history at the World Games, we remember that sitting Paul Cantabene as an alternate likely cost the USA gold as Geoff Snider took over the final game.
Defense:
Long pole midfielders are included in this list and the United States couldn’t have asked for a tougher group to play with. This is likely the most feared group in the games and should be fun to watch for all those in Denver. There are going to be many players who return to their respective countries with nightmares from this group.
Tucker Durkin is the best defenseman in the game. He is strong and will not try to do too much. His opposition is always in front of him and he doesn’t give them much room to breath. He will be the MVP if the United States can take gold because he will be up against the best in the world each night.
Michael Evans is a tenacious defender. He is another tough, bruising defenseman. His style of play might be tough for international referees to manage because they could get flag happy, but he is as tough as there is.
Lee Zink is the elder statesman and a great leader on the back line. His teammate is Jesse Schwartzman, so look for those two to add their professional experience to the US’s game.
Joe Fletcher will be the fourth defenseman. He has experience playing against the Thompsons so he is used to the level of some of the competition he will face. He adds to the big backline that the USA will deploy against their opposition.
Brian Karalunas and Kyle Hartzell will be the long poles for the run of the World Games. Hartzell shut down Rabil in the playoffs before and is the only Division III player. He has held his own against some of the best in the game already—just ask Rabil. Karalunas is a ground ball machine and can cover those fast midfielders coming at him.
Goalies:
Jesse Schwartzman and Drew Adams will be the stoppers for the games. Schwartzman is looking to add a gold medal and Steinfeld Cup this summer, a feat that is very well possible. Drew Adams is a quick goalie and even though his style is different than Schwarstman’s, he can be counted on just the same to stop everything thrown his way.
** Roster is based off of the 23 players that will make up the active roster. The final cuts comes in a few days in preparation for the World Games in Denver this July.**
