With the season in its final week of the year for half the teams, it has been a fun summer of MLL action. Some of the familiar names are atop the standings, but like last year it looks like one newcomer will have a shot at the title come Championship Weekend.
1) Rochester Rattlers – Even though in a tie with the Outlaws, the Rattlers are still the hottest team in the league. A two-goal decision to a team on the bubble will not take them from the top spot. With the pieces in place and new faces playing well, this could be the return to the top for the Rattlers.
2) Denver Outlaws – Can they climb to the highest level and hoist the championship trophy this summer? The cup has eluded them so far, but they have come close. This could be the time for Denver to take the trophy back to the Mile High City.
3) New York – The Lizards haven’t made the noise that you would expect from a star studded young lineup, but they have been consistent all summer. The rookies are going to have to play with poise and determination for the team to take home the trophy. Grizzled veterans in their lineup want a shot at the title that the franchise used to know so well.
4) Ohio Machine – Ohio controls its own destiny and if they win, they are in. It would be their first trip to the post season. With being swept by Boston in the regular season, they need this win in the last weekend to make it. This could also be what they need to make the run into championship weekend, and no just showing up, because they will need to be playing their best.
5) Boston Cannons – The elder statesmen on their roster are likely to be packing it in with the end of the season looming. They have played well, but age is catching up with the team. The pieces in place to replace the veterans, for the most part, have not taken their game to a level that will keep the Cannons in the top four.
6) Florida Launch – With the moves that the team made in the last weeks of the season, they are playing for next year. If they can get a lineup to gel over the last weekend and keep them into next season, the Launch could be looking into a bright future.
7) Chesapeake Bayhawks – The champs will lose out on their attempt at the league’s first three peat. It would have been something for a team with such a solid veteran presences to make history. This weekend should be a chance to let the younger players get into the lineup to see how drastic the roster changes need to be this off season.
8) Charlotte Hounds – The two title game participants are at the bottom of the standings. With the youth ending an incredibly long season, looking from college straight to the professional league, next year will have more energy. Matt Danowski moving to midfield just seemed to make the offense not efficient enough after a solid early half of the season.
– Brian Davies
@briandavies15
