MLP moves on to Columbus for the second event of 2025 beginning on Thursday.

The Columbus Sliders, as the home team, will be featured a lot this weekend with three matches. Unlike MLP Orlando, only half the Premier teams will be in action in Columbus.

 

Here are the major storylines for Columbus:

1. Carolina on my mind

 

The Carolina Hogs got off to a slow start in Orlando, scoring zero points in their two matches. Despite the team performance, Ben Johns played very well, indeed the best of any single player (per RealClearStats). The Carolina team is poorly constructed, with two players, Collin Johns and Tammy Emmrich, who should not be in Premier. We can expect Carolina to address these deficiencies at the first waiver opportunity, but for now, Ben Johns will have to try to carry this team. Carolina plays three matches in Columbus, and each match is winnable. Carolina plays Phoenix, Atlanta, and Chicago, none of which are top tier teams. Carolina needs to leave Columbus with at least six points from these three matches. If they do not, it would appear they are destined for a disappointing season.

 

 

 

The Orlando Squeeze clearly enjoyed being the home team in the first MLP event this year, and now it is Columbus’ turn. In Orlando, Columbus had an up and down event, going 4-2 and scoring 12 points. That was a decent result, good enough for a playoff spot pace, but not good enough to challenge for an important playoff bye. Columbus plays three more matches this week, so they will have played almost 40% of their schedule after this event. Columbus plays Phoenix, Chicago, and New York, all very beatable teams. Columbus has a realistic shot at nabbing nine points in this event, which would move them up nicely in the standings. Anything less than seven would be a big disappointment.

 

 

 

New York was thought before the season to be the worst MLP team. Their performance in Orlando did nothing to dissuade anyone from that opinion, as New York lost both of its matches decisively and they left Orlando winless, with zero points. In Columbus, New York gets a chance to play Miami, another low-ranked team. That match will be one of the few chances for New York to nab a victory. Can New York get fired up and defeat Miami? If they lose that match, it is not inconceivable to think New York could go winless in 2025.

 

 

 

St. Louis is the complete opposite of New York. The St. Louis Shock entered the season as a pre-season favorite to win it all. They showed their stuff in Orlando, going 2-0, scoring five points and defeating a tough New Jersey team. That was the good news. The bad news was that defending champs Dallas looked even better, as Dallas was a perfect 4-0, with 12 points. Two teams will get important playoff byes, and grabbing one of those two byes is important for any team with championship aspirations. In Columbus, the Shock will play twice, against Phoenix and Atlanta. Phoenix and Atlanta are not championship contenders, but neither is a pushover either. St. Louis will want to grab six points from those two matches. Anything less and St. Louis will drop further behind Dallas’ pace in the standings.

 

 

MLP Orlando was the opening event and had all 16 Premier teams present. Being the first and biggest event created a lot of energy and excitement for the teams, the players, and the fans. Now with MLP Columbus we start the six-month grind of the regular season. The teams that can maintain high energy and focus will be the ones at the top of the year-end standings. For the low-ranked teams like New York, it will be a chance to grab a first win. For middle teams like Atlanta or Columbus, it is a chance to get much needed points to move up the standings. For a top team like St. Louis, it is a chance to stomp the competition and gain ground on everyone. It will be fun to watch!

 

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