Philadelphia Waterdogs Edge Ahead in Latest PLL Rankings

Waterdogs Surge to Top Spot

The Philadelphia Waterdogs vaulted to first place after a dominant 15‑13 victory over the California Redwoods in Chicago. C.J. Kirst and Michael Sowers combine for 22 league points, matching the second‑best totals in the PLL this season. The duo’s scoring mirrors the 2025 success of New York’s Connor Shellenberger (46 points) and Jeff Teat (40 points), giving Philly a clear offensive backbone. Veteran defender Gavin Adler, the 2025 Defensive Player of the Year, adds a lockdown presence after moving from the Atlas roster, reinforcing the Waterdogs’ bid for a championship run similar to last year’s Atlas team.

New rookie midfielder Josh Yago is delivering 2.25 points per game through four contests, echoing Matt Traynor’s impactful debut season. The Waterdogs now sit at the summit after climbing four spots from last week’s rankings. Their next test comes Saturday, July 18 against the Utah Archers on ESPN+.

Whipsnakes Rediscover Balance and Consistency

Maryland returned to winning form with a 17‑10 demolition of the Carolina Chaos, reminding the league why the Whipsnakes remain a championship contender. Attackers Rob Pannell, T.J. Malone and Joey Spallina combined for a season‑high 127 touches and tied the team’s mark for 13 combined points in a single game. The trio’s production helped Maryland rank among the top three squads in both scoring offense (12.7 goals per game) and defensive stops (10.9 goals allowed per game). Their next matchup is Friday, July 17 versus the Redwoods on ESPN+.

A 6‑point effort from T.J. Malone highlighted the Whipsnakes’ ability to generate offense behind the cage, a strategy they doubled down on after a sluggish performance earlier in the season. The team’s balanced attack suggests they can sustain momentum deep into the playoff chase.

Outlaws Hover After Strong Roster but Struggling Depth

Despite a 15‑13 loss to Boston on Saturday, the Denver Outlaws retain a solid position in the rankings thanks to four Tewaaraton Award winners on their roster. Graham Bundy Jr. has seen a dip from 23 points as a rookie to just nine points this season, while rookie Evan Plunkett has one goal and a league‑worst 3.8 % shooting rate among players with 10+ attempts. The lack of reliable midfield production beyond Dalton Young could hamper Denver’s title aspirations, especially if their star attackers falter. Denver faces Carolina on Saturday, July 18, in a 2 p.m. ABC broadcast.

The Outlaws’ offensive ceiling remains high, but depth issues keep them from climbing higher in the standings. If they cannot shore up the secondary scoring, an early playoff exit may be in store.

Cannons Ignite Offensive Spark and Climb

Boston’s resurgence is driven by a high‑octane offense that currently leads the league in goals per game (12.9). Coulter Mackesy tops the PLL with 25 points, anchoring a attack that finally clicked after a patchy start. After beating both the Redwoods and Denver, the Cannons have shown they can sustain elite output across multiple games, a key difference from earlier struggles. Consistent scoring could thrust Boston into playoff contention, especially if the defense holds firm. Their next test is Sunday, July 19 versus New York on ABC.

The Cannons’ climb from sixth to fourth in the rankings underscores the impact of a mature, balanced attack. If the offense maintains its current rhythm, expect Boston to make noise in the postseason.

Redwoods in Transition, Aiming for Full‑Game Intensity

California remains in the middle third after losing two of three, with a 15‑13 defeat to Philadelphia highlighting a one‑dimensional effort from the Redwoods. The loss was more about C.J. Kirst’s explosive performance than a defensive breakdown, suggesting the roster still possesses the pieces to compete. After a stretch of close contests, the team needs to sustain 48‑minute intensity to climb higher. Their upcoming game Friday, July 17 pits them against Maryland on ESPN+.

The Redwoods’ inability to combine effort across the full slate has kept them from breaking into the top two. Closing that gap will require a more consistent, all‑out approach.

Archers Blend Defensive Strength with Offensive Surge

Utah’s 16‑5 victory over New York showcased a defensive unit that allows the fewest goals in the league (9.0 per game), led by goalie Brett Dobson’s league‑leading 59 % save rate among starters. Yet the Archers also demonstrated that they can win with offense, averaging 13.3 goals in their last three games behind rookie Ryan Stines, who posted 10 points (7 G, 3 A) during that span. This blend of shutdown defense and emergent scoring gives Utah a realistic playoff path, currently at a 38 % chance. Their next matchup is Saturday, July 18 versus Philadelphia on ESPN+.

The Archers’ adaptability—strength in both ends of the field—makes them a dangerous contender as the postseason approaches.

Chaos Searching for Offensive Identity

Carolina’s search for offensive cohesion continued with a loss to Maryland, prompting coach Steven Brooks to reshuffle the lineup. He benched veteran attacker Brendan Nichtern, shifted Jackson Eicher to midfield, and inserted Eric Spanos and Teddy Malone at attack. Spanos delivered a hat trick, yet the Chaos managed only ten goals in the defeat, underscoring the struggle to find consistent scoring depth. Owen Hiltz emerged as the offensive engine, posting a season‑best four points (2 G, 2 A) and serving as the catalyst for the rest of the unit. If Hiltz can sustain that production, Carolina may regain playoff viability. Their next game is Saturday, July 18 versus Denver on ABC.

The experiment signals that Carolina still possesses the talent to revamp its attack, but timing will be critical as the season winds down.

Atlas Struggles Mid‑Season Amid Loss of Key Talent

New York’s campaign has become a “nightmare season” after losing defensive stalwart Gavin Adler to Philadelphia and seeing star attacker Jeff Teat sidelined early. The absence of Adler has left the defense vulnerable, with the Atlas surrendering the most goals per game (13.3) in the PLL. Shellenberger now shoulders a heavier load, averaging just three points per game compared to his 4.5 a year ago, reflecting the ripple effect of missing supporting talent. The team remains in the bottom half, but the challenges could foster growth for next year. Boston awaits on Sunday, July 19, in a 3 p.m. ABC showdown.

The Atlas’ current struggles highlight how quickly a championship team can unravel when core contributors depart, but the experience may prove valuable for rebuilding efforts.

This week’s power rankings reveal a tightly packed field where depth, consistency, and timely scoring will decide who climbs to the top. Keep an eye on the Waterdogs’ ability to replicate last year’s Atlas run, the Whipsnakes’ balanced attack, and the Cannons’ newfound offensive rhythm as the PLL heads into the Fairfield weekend.