PLL Power Rankings ahead of Week 3: Who's No. 1?

With 2 weeks of the 2025 Premier Lacrosse League play successful the books, it's clip for the archetypal acceptable of Power Rankings.

To beryllium clear, these are not conscionable the standings, but alternatively my instrumentality connected which teams are presently the champion successful the league heading into this weekend's games successful Philly.

1. Boston Cannons

Current record: 2-0

Marcus Holman's dive changeable astatine the buzzer gave Boston a 9-8 triumph implicit Utah successful Week 2. Rookie antiaircraft midfielder Ben Ramsey, the bagpiper from Notre Dame, scored a extremity successful Charlotte, and had 3 caused turnovers successful his archetypal crippled successful Albany successful Week 1. Meanwhile successful South Bend, Dickie V's grandson Ryan Sforzo is the caller pied piper for the Irish.

This weekend: Friday vs. the Waterdogs

2. Utah Archers

Current record: 1-1

The firepower was lacking past week successful a Saturday nonaccomplishment to Boston. Connor Fields, the leader of Week 1, had conscionable 2 shots connected 25 touches. Goalie Brett Dobson, who's warring an ankle injury, saved 68% of shots successful the triumph implicit Maryland successful Week 1, and was again stellar successful decision showcasing his precocious arc. Coach Chris Bates is looking for discourtesy aft a dilatory commencement connected that side.

This weekend: Friday vs. the Redwoods

3. New York Atlas

Current record: 1-1

Charlotte was a bye week for the Bulls. In Week 1, New York divided its 2 games arsenic the big successful Albany, defeating Carolina 10-8 and falling to Boston 16-12. The Atlas plays Maryland connected ABC connected Saturday astatine 1 p.m. successful a crippled some teams request badly.

The Atlas passing discourtesy is not clicking this summertime similar it was successful 2024, and they were held scoreless for 17:38 against the Chaos. The squad volition beryllium good served to tally modulation upfield with intent disconnected of cleanable saves from goalie Liam Entenmann.

This weekend: Saturday vs. the Whipsnakes

4. Philadelphia Waterdogs

Current record: 1-0

After trailing 11-8 astatine the half, Philly outscored Maryland 8-1 successful the 2nd fractional to drawback their archetypal triumph of the summertime successful Week 2. It's a bully commencement for manager Bill Tierney. Catalyst Michael Sowers reminded america that's he's an MVP candidate, finishing with 7 assists.

This weekend: Friday vs. the Cannons, Saturday vs. the Outlaws

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Connor Kelly buries it for Philadelphia Waterdogs

5. Maryland Whipsnakes

Current record: 0-2

The Whipsnakes changeable 7-of-41 (17%) successful a Week 1 nonaccomplishment to Utah. T.J. Malone went 3-of-7, and the remainder of the squad changeable little than 12%. This past play successful Charlotte, they scored 3 two-point goals successful the archetypal half. One by rookie defender Scott Smith and 2 by midfielder Brad Smith -- and past the discourtesy deed the wall, going 1-16 successful the last 24:00. Attack accumulation sold separately, apparently. They are unhappy campers astatine 0-2.

This weekend: Saturday vs. the Atlas

6. California Redwoods

Current record: 2-0

Eleven of 15 goals successful the Week 1 triumph came from recently acquired talent. In Week 2, California turned a four-goal aboriginal shortage into a lopsided 16-10 triumph implicit Carolina. The Woods took 58 shots, a PLL record.

This California squad has the magic, nary doubt, but I'm not believing the hype. The Woods are 2-0 lone due to the fact that they've faced the 2 worst teams successful the PLL truthful far.

This weekend: Friday vs. the Archers

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Chris Kavanagh goes betwixt his legs for mind-blowing goal

Chris Kavanagh fires a changeable betwixt his legs for a stupendous Redwoods goal.

7. Carolina Chaos

Current record: 1-2

The defence is elite. The midfield scoring is not. Carolina divided their Week 2 games arsenic the big -- beating Denver and losing to California. Lefty goalie Blaze Riorden made 25 saves connected Friday night, mounting a PLL record.

The Chaos ran retired of steam successful their 2nd crippled of the play connected Saturday, giving up a grounds 58 shots successful defeat. Saturday's illness is simply a notable inclination for double-header big teams playing successful their 2nd crippled successful 24 hours. Fast starts; dilatory finishes. Two games back-to-back continues to beryllium a competitory disadvantage.

This weekend: Bye

8. Denver Outlaws

Current record: 0-2

The Outlaws added 2021 Tewaaraton Award victor Jared Bernhardt to their roster precocious connected the nighttime of June 2, up of Week 2. Jared went 0-for-5 shooting, with nary points successful his Charlotte debut. The rust was notable -- and expected -- disconnected a multi-year layoff, but if you ticker closely, you'll spot question skills that are rare. Denver has begun the play successful a funk. I don't emotion the orbital vigor of their electrons.

This weekend: Saturday vs. the Waterdogs