The Premier Lacrosse League recently announced their inaugural rosters recently, and I don’t know who to root for. I’ve always been a “root for the home team” type of guy, but the PLL doesn’t have any home teams. Truthfully, I am conflicted. So, I decided to pen this piece to help other new PLL fans find their team. Then, hopefully, their new favorite PLL team makes their way to that fan’s state so everyone can watch professional lacrosse in person.
At the end, I will have gathered enough information to make an informed decision. Then, I shall decide which PLL team I should root for.
Archers Lacrosse Club Arrowheads
Most Notable Players: Will Manny, Tom Schriber, Kevin Rice, Marcus Holman, Stephen Kelly, Jerry Ragonese, Scott Ratliff, Adam Ghitleman, Goran Murray, and our boy Dominique Alexander.
Reasons to like the Arrowheads: If you like speed and offense then you will like the Arrowheads. This team is going to be tossing points all over the place this season. From sea to sea the Arrowheads will be ripping
Who should be fans of the Arrowheads: Players who want to become elite scorers and dominate the field with their sticks should be watching the Arrowheads. If your team pushes pace, you have to watch these guys. There will be non-stop action on the offensive end, and when they get the ball back on defense it’s not gonna stay down there long before it’s headed towards the other team’s goal.
Atlas Lacrosse Club Bulls
Most Notable Players: Trevor Baptiste, Ryan Brown, Chris Cloutier, James Pannell, Shack Stanwick, Joel Tinney, Pat Young, Connor Buczek, John Crawley, Scotty Rodgers, Tucker Durkin, Callum Robinson, Ryan Flanagan, and some guy named Paul Rabil.
Reasons to like the Bulls: This team is looking to punch people right in the mouth and score goals right after. It may seem, on paper, like this team is stacked, and that’s because they are. There is really no shortage of talent in the PLL, but the Atlas has it in spades. The offense behind Pannell, Cloutier, Stanwick, and Brown is no joke; then you look at the midfield. This team is full of workhorses all over, and Paul Rabil is at the helm. Captaining this team, and the entire league, puts Paul in a likely spot to capture the inaugural PLL championship this year.
Who should be fans of the Bulls: All front-runners please buy all the Atlas LC gear now because it won’t be there when you switch to liking them in the playoffs. This team is for people who like to win and make others sad while doing it. The Atlas Bulls are going to probably stampede all over much of the PLL this year, and anyone hoping to see some W’s from the biggest guys in the league should tune into every Atlas match.
Chaos Lacrosse Club Scorpions
Most Notable Players: Thomas Kelly, Jeremy Thompson, Miles Thompson, Myles Jones, Austin Staats, Connor Fields, Kevin Buchanan, Troy Reh, Deemer Class, Brodie Merril, and Blaze Riorden.
Reasons to like the Scorpions: The Scorpions are going to be one of the best teams to watch for creative and fun lacrosse. This team has two Thompsons, Connor Fields, Myles Jones, and lots of other players that like creative lacrosse. There should be no shortage of highlights coming from the Chaos Lacrosse Club this season; that’s for sure. Even Blaze Riorden is expected to try to cash-in on the fun and make some attempts at the other team’s goal this year. There’s just going to be absolute Chaos from the Scorpions, and that’s all you can hope for.
Who should be a fan of the Scorpions: Players who want to understand how to have fun while playing great lacrosse should watch the Chaos. Your going to get to see both team and individual efforts that put other teams on Chaos LC highlight tapes. There’s just so much explosive firepower coming out of this club, and every player who loves lacrosse for the beauty of the play will really get their money’s worth here. The Chaos should also be involved in quite a bit of transition and fast paced play; so don’t blink a lot.
Chrome Lacrosse Club Knights
Notable Players: Justin Guterding, John Galloway, Ty Thompson, Jordan Wolf, Wes Berg, Ned Crotty, Jovan Miller, Brett Queener, Callum Crawford, Brandon Mullins, Chris Bocklet, Brendan Fowler, Mike Manly, Joel White, and BJ Grill.
Reasons to like the Knights: The Chrome may have flashy uniforms and gear, but this roster is not about flash. This team is all about grit. You’re going to be seeing pretty and fundamental lacrosse coming from all over the field. The shining star of this team is Justin Guterding, but his supporting cast is really a roundtable of iron. The Chrome may have the most well-rounded team in the Premier Lacrosse League, but that doesn’t always get everyone excited. Winning normally does get everyone to come around eventually though.
Who should be a fan of the Knights: Your Dad will probably become a huge fan of the Chrome and then complain about their colors every time he sees them. You should become a fan of the Chrome because they are going to have a really enjoyable brand of lacrosse to watch, but so will all of the other PLL teams. The separating factor might just be that the Chrome is coached by Dom Starsia. If you aren’t familiar with the name, get familiar quick. Coach Starsia isn’t going to let his team have a sloppy performance, so the Chrome will always be a safe bet to root for.
Redwoods Lacrosse Club Bears
Notable Players: Kyle Harrison, Sergio Perkovic, Sergio Salcido, Matt Kavanagh, Matt Landis, Greg Gurenlian, Joey Sankey, Joe Walters, Jack Kelly, Gunnar Waldt, Peter Baum, Larken Kemp, Brian Karalunas, Chazz Woodson, Garrett Epple, and Jojo Marasco.
Reasons to like the Bears: The Bears actually have a laundry list of great players on their team, so it’s easy to be a fan. There’s just so much experience and talent to go around that you can’t pick the best part of the team. Everyone on the offensive side of the ball is a deadly scorer, and the defense is highlighted by Matt Landis taking the ball from any player while Jack Kelly stops any shot the other team’s offense may take. You’ll also be able to be picking one of the best color combinations and jerseys in the Premier Lacrosse League. If you become a Redwoods LC fan, you’ll always be looking great.
Who should be a fan of the Bears: Well, California. I don’t think there’s a traveling team that really panders to a singular location so heavily. But, all other 49 United States and other governed lands of the may also become fans of the Bears. Star power and goal scoring really are going to be dripping out of the Redwoods LC like sap, and your waffles just got out of the iron. Even though syrup comes from Maple trees, the Redwoods are about to have an extra sweet PLL season.
Whipsnakes Lacrosse Club Whipsnakes
Notable Players: Various Maryland Terrapin alumni.
Reasons to like the Whipsnakes: Maryland is normally pretty good at lacrosse. These guys should probably be pretty good at lacrosse. Maryland people generally like Maryland people, and when the Maryland people and playing lacrosse well the other Maryland people are very happy.
Who should be a fan of the Whipsnakes: Maryland people and those who love bad names for sports teams.
The PLL Team I Will Root For
For numerous reasons, I have decided to pledge my allegiance to the Chaos Lacrosse Club Scorpians. While it may just be that I am a fan of chaos in general, their roster is full of firepower that I can’t wait to watch. Myles Jones also spoke to me once, so there’s that. I also can’t get past the fact that the Chaos resembles the long lost Arizona Sting of the NLL so much. This resemblance will keep the Sting alive in the PLL and, hopefully, bring a champioship to that franchise’s grave. The Chaos also have some really great uniforms with a very odd subtle pattern all over, and who doesn’t love a little bit of confusion that is massively unneeded. Shout out Blaze Riorden for being the best goalie to ever shoot the ball, and GO CHAOS!
