Photo by Alan Bloodgood
JULY 10, 2026
By Will Stuntz
After handling the Philadelphia Phoenix (1-9) in week 10 by a score of 21-17 on Philly's home turf, the DC Breeze (7-3) will host the Hotbirds in Week 11 for a rematch with their longtime East Division rival.
The Phoenix showed they were capable of keeping up with the Breeze last week, as they tied the Breeze in the first, third and fourth quarters. However, the Breeze’s 6-1 run to end the second period, during which they outscored the Phoenix by four, was too much for Philadelphia to handle, and they were unable to come back from that four-score deficit.
The Breeze won’t have the same D-line that pushed them in that monster second-quarter run last week, as Tanner Gesell and Couper Kerns won’t be available. Kerns picked up a career-high three blocks, while Gesell dished out three break assists.
Luckily for the Breeze, they also bring in some heavy hitters on the D-line who weren’t available last week. Jasper Tom was set to make his 2026 debut in Week 11, but the crucial D-line handler was scratched less than 24 hours before the first pull. Unless there is a change in available personnel once again, he’ll make his long-awaited debut this week. Lev Blumenfeld also returns, who’s having a fantastic start to his Ultimate Frisbee Association (UFA) career. in his sophomore campaign. Those two, along with Micah Wagner and and Marcus Lee will be major factors for the D-line, which is without Gesell and Kerns, as well as Wiebe van den Brink, Raymond Lu, and Charlie McCutcheon who’ve been out for a few weeks. Josh Lightner, Isaac Lee and Kevin Healey will be active again, and that quartet, paired with the return of Tom may not be too troubled by the Philadelphia O-line, which has the third-worst hold percentage in the league.
The Breeze O-line also adds some stars to the lineup that were absent the first time around with the Phoenix. Although Gabe Dowd isn’t listed as active yet and may not be available – which would be a major blow, given he hauled in three goals and threw an assist last week – two veterans have rejoined the squad after a week away. Jeff Wodatch and Christian Boxley are back, which will be massive additions to the O-line that didn’t look quite as dynamic as it has all season in Week 11. With the offense now back close to full strength with Miles Grovic, Coby Loveranes, and AJ Merriman set to suit up again – all of whom were stellar in Week 11 – the Phoenix may truly struggle with that offensive potency.
The biggest puzzle piece in this game, however, is that Philadelphia may be without most of the core that allowed them to stay competitive with the Breeze. The D-line will be without Becker Joseph, and Spencer Whitcomb is listed as questionable. The potential absences on the O-line are also a fear factor for the Phoenix. Mike Campanella, Dmitry Suvorov, and Colin White aren’t confirmed to be playing yet, and that whole crew showed flashes of excellence that the Phoenix haven’t really seen all season. Most notably though, Chase Rawlins is listed as questionable, and he was the biggest star of the last bout for the Phoenix, with five assists, two goals and 556 yards. Even if a fraction of these names don’t end up playing, the Phoenix will be at an even greater disadvantage for pulling off the upset.
It’s not all bad news for the Hotbirds, as Ezra Beidler-Shenk – who racked up 821 yards and four assists last week in his seventh professional game – is active, as are Nicholas Digiorgio, Nolan McCloskey, Dustin Damiano and Matt Hanna. With more great performances from this lot, Philadelphia could prove to be a tricky opponent for the Breeze once again.
Catch the rematch between the Breeze and Phoenix this Saturday, July 11 at Carlini Field. First pull flies at 7:00 p.m. ET. Tickets available at thedcbreeze.com and streaming live at watchUFA.tv.
