Photo by Trent Erickson
Written By: Ryan Baker, Journalist
4th of July Frisbee is upon us! The Minnesota Wind Chill have a big upcoming weekend with a doubleheader road trip.
The first game will be in the confines of the Chicago Union’s home field for the second matchup of the year between the two juggernauts. Then, the Wind Chill will have a quick turnaround for a Saturday afternoon game against the Detroit Mechanix in Detroit.
The 4th of July matchup between the two top teams in the Central Division could quickly determine who the division’s one seed will be heading into the final weeks of the season. If Minnesota wins by six or more, it gives them the tiebreaker over the Union going forward and control of their own destiny. If they win by four or less, it would allow them to take the one seed if they win out and Chicago drops one remaining game this year. If Minnesota wins by five, the tiebreaker would lean Minnesota’s direction for now, with them having an advantage in the final tiebreaker of divisional adjusted point differential. If Chicago wins, they can clinch the one seed with a 10-0 record the next day by defeating the Pittsburgh Thunderbirds on the road.
Looking a little bit deeper into the game, Minnesota is fielding its most complete roster of the year. Coming off winning a gold medal at U24, Will Brandt, Paul Krenik, and Justin Burnett return to the field. Kyle Suelflow, another gold medalist in the U24 Mixed division, also takes the field on Friday. Other big offensive weapons in Quinn Snider and Matthew Rehder will also be suiting up for this highly anticipated matchup.
Photo by Rich Moll
“It’s our most complete roster we’ve had all season. It comes at a good time for one of our most challenging games. We understand that if we want a shot at the one seed, there’s no room for error,” said head coach Ben Feldman.
As for Chicago, they are also bringing one of their most complete rosters they’ve had all year. The focus for Minnesota will be starting early against one of the best defenses in the league, but also stopping the three-headed monster of Chicago’s offense that contains Daan De Marrée, Jack Shanahan, and Paul Arters.
“Every team in the league has its studs, but no team wins on the backs of one or two players. Our defensive schemes rely on all seven of our players working together to stifle the offense, and that’s what we’re focused on more than individual matchups. We also get the benefit of having played against Chicago so much over the years that we’ve developed an understanding of every player’s tendencies. We know where we want them to get the disc, and where we don’t,” said Sam Berglund.
Anticipate this game to look very different from the first matchup between these two. The reason for that is that the first game happened in the first couple of weeks of the season. Chicago walked into Minnesota’s home field and took the win 16-11. These two teams are incredibly more developed since the first few weeks of the season, and have fine-tuned skills and sets to become even better.
“It’s going to be hot. It’s going to be a battle and we’re hoping to put out a better performance than we did than we did at the home opener. The guys are hungry for that. We’ve continued to watch film, improve, and figure out how we need to be better. It’s about putting those things into action and having a better performance on Friday,” said Feldman.
Photo by Trent Erickson
In that first game, it was a tough showing for Minnesota’s offense. They struggled to get things going early, and it put them down 4-1 after the first quarter. There won’t be room for error like that in this one.
“The key will be dictating the play on our side and not falling into a rhythm or pace that they want us in. Last time we played Chicago, we made a lot of unforced errors, which really shot ourselves in the foot and allowed them to get a nice cushion and tighten up more defensively. We’ll look to do that to them this week in Chicago in front of their home crowd,” said Snider.
One thing to look for will be the cohesiveness of this group. This specific roster hasn’t played all together like this much at all this season. However, Snider mentions that keeping things simple will be the first step to turning the tide on this matchup.
“I think it’ll be about keeping things simple and executing at a consistent level. Even though a few of us have been away, the familiarity, comfort, and trust we have as a group is always there and will always be there. We know that when we play our game and cut hard with our legs, there isn’t much any other team in the league can do,” said Snider.
Photo by Trent Erickson
Does Minnesota have the ability to put the first blemish on Chicago’s record this year? 100%, but they are going to have to play with a chip on their shoulder all game to walk away with this one. It’s going to be a dogfight, and could result in one of the best games UFA fans will watch all year.
This isn’t the only game for Minnesota this weekend. After brawling with the Union, the reigning champs will be going to Detroit for a much less hype matchup. Detroit sits at 1-7 on the year, and Minnesota should walk away with one relatively easily. Feldman mentioned they are bringing four reserves on the road trip to step in and play with fresh legs for the second game of the doubleheader.
The four that will be replaced for the Detroit game will be Josh Klane, Snider, Rehder, and Bret Bergemeier. Even with those four top players out, Minnesota should handle the lackluster Mechanix team.
Photo by Rich Moll
Ideally, the Wind Chill will walk out of this weekend with an 8-1 record, either pushing themselves equal with Chicago or pushing themselves beyond Chicago, considering point differential. Most are thinking that this will be a preview of the Central Division Championship, and so this sets up for even more of a story if that happens come playoff time.
Tune in on the 4th of July at 4 p.m. CT to watch the two powerhouses face off!
To watch the game between Minnesota and Detroit at 4 p.m. CT on Saturday, click here!
Join your fellow Wind Chill fans to cheer on the squad as they head to Chicago on July 4th to face off against the Union in a special afternoon match-up! Each fan in attendance at the beginning of the game will have the opportunity to guess the exact score of the game to win a $500 Wind Chill Digital Gift Card! If no one wins, the prize rolls over to the next watch party. Wind Chill swag will also be raffled away to fans in attendance at the end of each quarter. No charge to attend. Surly Beer drink specials during the game! Watch the live stream on the TVs with audio on in the bar while enjoying delicious food and refreshing drinks at New Bohemia Golden Valley, the Official Watch Party location for all Wind Chill Road Games!
