What To Watch For: Thursday’s Second Round

The logo for the USA Ultimate 2012 Club Championships in Sarasota, Florida.Here’s what we’ll be keeping an eye on in the second round.

OPEN

It seems only appropriate that Vancouver’s Furious George and Portland’s Rhino would be seeded back-to-back – #8 and #9, respectively — and set to meet again on the first day of pool play in Sarasota. The last time these two met, which was in the 2/3 game at Northwest Regionals, the Monkey was able to steal a game that came down to the wire to claim the higher ranking for this weekend. Rhino won the season series 2-1, though, and it’s safe to assume they will be fired up to make a statement after the teams’ last showdown ended in controversy.

In a match-up that’s expected to have big implications on Friday’s power pools, Chicago’s Machine takes on North Carolina’s Ring of Fire for just the second time this season. Despite their rankings going into the weekend — #7 and #10, respectively — Ring got the best of Machine in their only meeting, and in decisive fashion, winning 13-8 at Labor Day. Both teams enter Nationals somewhat under the radar and if either is going to make a run, it will likely start with a strong showing in this match-up.

MIXED

One of the important early East Coast v. West Coast matchups, Boston’s Slow White takes on Oakland’s American BBQ in the 2/3 game of the nasty Pool C. Although the Flycoons could also surprise, this game could well decide who heads into power pools. This game should also signal how the average strength of the two coasts compares.

WOMEN’S

In the always hard-fought 8/9 game, Boston’s Brute Squad plays Madison’s Heist in a critical matchup for power pool placement. On paper, the lower-seeded Heist has the edge, with a big win over a Bent team that Brute Squad had trouble with in the Northeast Regionals finals. Should be a classic.

  1. Charlie Eisenhood
    Charlie Eisenhood

    Charlie Eisenhood is the editor-in-chief of Ultiworld.You can reach him by email ([email protected]) or on Twitter (@ceisenhood).

TAGGED: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

More from Ultiworld
Discussion on "What To Watch For: Thursday’s Second Round"

Recent Videos

  1. Riot v. Phoenix

  2. Riot vs. Grit

  3. Test Late

  4. Test Current

Recent Events

  1. 2025 Queen City Tune Up
    Mar 26 - Mar 27 | |
  2. 2024 Club Championships
    Oct 24 - Oct 27 |
  3. 2024 D-I College Championships
    May 24 - May 27 | |
  4. Northwest Challenge 2024
    Mar 13 - Mar 19 |
  5. Las Vegas Challenge
    Jan 28 - Jan 31 | |

Subscriber Exclusives

  • Field Pass: Test Match Livestream
    Video for standard subscribers
  • Sin The Fields: #AskSTF, Charlotte’s Jakeem Polk, Pick ‘Em Challenge!
    podcast with bonus segment
  • Test pod post
    Subscriber podcast
  • Test Livewire
    livewire with bonus content