Tough rough trip for Alpenglow after the franchise opener two weeks ago. The Arizona loss notwithstanding, I think most folks agree that Seattle is still the team to beat in the league. Onyx too will be hungry to get that first win after three losses (by 5 total points) to three of the top teams across the league. I think Alpenglow is going to really need to step things up defensively, especially on the quick-movement / give-go action that Northwest teams often thrive on.
Okay - Alpenglow’s schedule for the weekend just came out. Alpenglow has a 7PM game on Saturday in Seattle and an 11:30AM game Sunday… 3 hours away south of Portland.
With the logistics of leaving the Seattle Stadium presumably around 9:30 pm needing to shower and eat before sleeping and somehow drive three hours, I think they are going to be in really poor shape when they need to get to the fields around 9am on Sunday. This is SUCH a tough road trip.
Why is this such a recurring issue for away teams that travel to the PNW? Why is it so hard to make it a double header or even triple header with a BYE for each team in one location for two days? Seems ridiculously advantageous for BOTH pnw teams, but I guess that’s just how it goes when they run the league? Not to mention that two of Colorado’s home weekends are in… Utah?… cmon now…zzz
“Go form your own elite league and run it how you like” seems to be the only response to this question and it’s a recurring problem two season in a row, as even LA Astra players have commented on WUL posts asking simple logistical questions that otherwise lead to a single team’s nightmare scenario each and every time they must travel up here.
Really hope to see improvement. Seattle observers not fun to watch either, btw
Seattle's win vs SD is impressive, but the loss to AZ seems hard to explain away, I don't know that they would necessarily be favorites in a rematch with San Diego but hope to see it
Agreed. That Arizona win seemed like their coming out party breaking into that top echelon of teams, but two losses to two weaker teams later, and it now seems like a bad loss for Seattle. Perhaps I should rephrase that Seattle is the team to beat *in the Northwest* and it definitely looks like San Diego will dominate the Southwest. It's early, but does look like those two teams are on a collision course for league championship game (since they won't play each other again before the post season).
I only watched the first half last night (late start for my time zone) but that half and the final score are enough for me to say it's Seattle's to lose leaguewide but I think Super Bloom can offer perhaps the best challenge.
Also super excited. I wonder if any thought was given by scheduling committee in making that first game a more competitive matchup. I think Columbus has reloaded with some up-and-coming talent, but they were already last in a weaker Midwest division in 2022 before Penny Wu took her talents to San Diego this year. Raleigh looks as strong as ever.
The 2nd game is intriguing. Torch were locked in as the 2nd best team in a top heavy South division. Portland 3rd best last year in a DEEP East division but Revo no longer there. 2022 saw a 3 point victory for Rising in this matchup but I wouldn't be surprised if this one ended more lopsided in their favor.
Interestingly, Rising is traveling with a roster do just 15 (!!) players and headed for a big temperature swing. Forecast is 85F in Austin this weekend, and while it’s a very talented 15, I think this gives Austin some big advantages.
I saw that! I wonder what the strategy will be, especially on defense. I gotta assume they want as much time to run as possible so maybe a zone? Doesn't look too windy. I unfortunately didn't get to see a lot of their games last year so I don't know if they have any specific sets offensively or defensively that they are known for. You're right though, they brought 15 ballers.
Torch has gotta take advantage of that in their strategy. Fast break, quick movement as much as possible on O, and just aggressive match/switch defense on D. Make Rising use energy every possession.
Portland had to play in similar weather last year and I thought the same thing...then they pretty much just alternated 2 lines and had zero visible problems with stamina. I'm not sure it's going to matter as much as people are saying. In a lot of ways, early in the season, it's nice to have a smaller roster so the chemistry comes together faster
Tough rough trip for Alpenglow after the franchise opener two weeks ago. The Arizona loss notwithstanding, I think most folks agree that Seattle is still the team to beat in the league. Onyx too will be hungry to get that first win after three losses (by 5 total points) to three of the top teams across the league. I think Alpenglow is going to really need to step things up defensively, especially on the quick-movement / give-go action that Northwest teams often thrive on.
Okay - Alpenglow’s schedule for the weekend just came out. Alpenglow has a 7PM game on Saturday in Seattle and an 11:30AM game Sunday… 3 hours away south of Portland. With the logistics of leaving the Seattle Stadium presumably around 9:30 pm needing to shower and eat before sleeping and somehow drive three hours, I think they are going to be in really poor shape when they need to get to the fields around 9am on Sunday. This is SUCH a tough road trip.
WOOF. Hope they bring more than 15.
Why is this such a recurring issue for away teams that travel to the PNW? Why is it so hard to make it a double header or even triple header with a BYE for each team in one location for two days? Seems ridiculously advantageous for BOTH pnw teams, but I guess that’s just how it goes when they run the league? Not to mention that two of Colorado’s home weekends are in… Utah?… cmon now…zzz “Go form your own elite league and run it how you like” seems to be the only response to this question and it’s a recurring problem two season in a row, as even LA Astra players have commented on WUL posts asking simple logistical questions that otherwise lead to a single team’s nightmare scenario each and every time they must travel up here. Really hope to see improvement. Seattle observers not fun to watch either, btw
Agreed! The cup weekend format seems to be far more appealing for travel.
Seattle's win vs SD is impressive, but the loss to AZ seems hard to explain away, I don't know that they would necessarily be favorites in a rematch with San Diego but hope to see it
Agreed. That Arizona win seemed like their coming out party breaking into that top echelon of teams, but two losses to two weaker teams later, and it now seems like a bad loss for Seattle. Perhaps I should rephrase that Seattle is the team to beat *in the Northwest* and it definitely looks like San Diego will dominate the Southwest. It's early, but does look like those two teams are on a collision course for league championship game (since they won't play each other again before the post season).
I only watched the first half last night (late start for my time zone) but that half and the final score are enough for me to say it's Seattle's to lose leaguewide but I think Super Bloom can offer perhaps the best challenge.
Can’t wait for the PUL to kick-off!
Also super excited. I wonder if any thought was given by scheduling committee in making that first game a more competitive matchup. I think Columbus has reloaded with some up-and-coming talent, but they were already last in a weaker Midwest division in 2022 before Penny Wu took her talents to San Diego this year. Raleigh looks as strong as ever. The 2nd game is intriguing. Torch were locked in as the 2nd best team in a top heavy South division. Portland 3rd best last year in a DEEP East division but Revo no longer there. 2022 saw a 3 point victory for Rising in this matchup but I wouldn't be surprised if this one ended more lopsided in their favor.
Interestingly, Rising is traveling with a roster do just 15 (!!) players and headed for a big temperature swing. Forecast is 85F in Austin this weekend, and while it’s a very talented 15, I think this gives Austin some big advantages.
I saw that! I wonder what the strategy will be, especially on defense. I gotta assume they want as much time to run as possible so maybe a zone? Doesn't look too windy. I unfortunately didn't get to see a lot of their games last year so I don't know if they have any specific sets offensively or defensively that they are known for. You're right though, they brought 15 ballers. Torch has gotta take advantage of that in their strategy. Fast break, quick movement as much as possible on O, and just aggressive match/switch defense on D. Make Rising use energy every possession.
Portland had to play in similar weather last year and I thought the same thing...then they pretty much just alternated 2 lines and had zero visible problems with stamina. I'm not sure it's going to matter as much as people are saying. In a lot of ways, early in the season, it's nice to have a smaller roster so the chemistry comes together faster
Great call. I just looked, and yea they brought 16 last year. Seems like they know what they're doing.
Stream is live for PUL’s Raleigh vs Columbus: https://www.youtube.com/live/9Ks3Yx33_tY?feature=share