Playoff Dreams and High Stakes: What’s Shaping the MLP San Clemente Showdown This Weekend

This event follows the PPA San Clemente stop and marks a key moment in the Premier division, with matches designed to test depth, strategy, and adaptability, especially with several teams dealing with injuries.

Crunch Time for Premier Contenders

With the playoffs looming, several clubs are trying to climb or secure spots in the standings. The LA Mad Drops and Brooklyn Pickleball Team both sit near the top of the leaderboard and aim to stay clear of the bottom-four positions, which require an extra play-in match during the postseason. Columbus Sliders are just inside the top ten and face added pressure with fewer matches played.

For the Utah Black Diamonds, the San Clemente matches present an opportunity to tighten their grip on a qualifying position. While not yet in danger, Utah must fend off late-season surges from lower-ranked teams.

 

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Key Players Return, Others Remain Sidelined

Injuries have been a defining factor throughout the season, and San Clemente is no exception. Columbus Sliders expect to regain their full lineup with CJ Klinger, Andrei Daescu, Parris Todd, and Lea Jansen available after appearances in the recent PPA tournament. This marks a rare chance for the team to play with its intended starting group, something they’ve rarely been able to do this year.

 

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The LA Mad Drops are also expected to be at full strength. After lineup disruptions earlier in the season, the return of Quang Duong and Hunter Johnson could allow them to return to top form, supported by standout players Catherine Parenteau and Jade Kawamoto.

Brooklyn Pickleball Team faces tougher challenges. Star player Riley Newman continues to recover from a groin injury, and Dekel Bar’s rib injury makes his status doubtful. Veteran Pat Smith is expected to fill in again, as he did in Phoenix, and AJ Koller may step in if Bar remains sidelined—though this would trigger a point deduction per match under MLP rules.

The SoCal Hard Eights may have to compete without Irina Tereschenko, which means more responsibility will fall on young talents Jalina Ingram and Cailyn Campbell. Their enthusiasm could shine, even if team results prove difficult.

Must-Watch Matchups Set the Stage

Among the marquee matches, LA Mad Drops’ Friday night showdown with Brooklyn Pickleball Team promises to be a standout. The contrast in team strengths—Brooklyn’s dominant doubles vs. LA’s DreamBreaker ability—makes this one of the weekend’s most intriguing contests.

On Saturday, Utah Black Diamonds face two difficult tests against LA Mad Drops and Columbus Sliders. While Utah may not be favored on paper, their intensity and hustle often turn tight matches into surprise results.

Sunday’s schedule includes a headline match between LA Mad Drops and Columbus Sliders. This match could be pivotal for both teams, with mixed doubles likely determining whether it ends in regulation or moves into a DreamBreaker finish—where LA has earned a reputation for success.

 

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Long-Term Stakes for All Teams

The San Clemente event plays a critical role in shaping the 2025 Premier Level playoff bracket. With only a few regular-season events remaining, every game could affect seedings and playoff matchups. Teams battling injuries and looking to build momentum must seize this opportunity to collect points and rise in the standings.

While fans will enjoy exciting on-court action, teams and coaches know that what happens in San Clemente could define their postseason path.

News in Brief: MLP San Clemente Showdown

MLP San Clemente runs from June 26–29, 2025, with six Premier teams competing in key matches. LA Mad Drops, Brooklyn, and Columbus lead the playoff hunt. Injuries could impact lineups for Brooklyn and SoCal. The LA vs. Brooklyn and LA vs. Columbus matchups highlight a weekend full of playoff implications.