MLP Salt Lake City This Weekend: As the latest Major League Pickleball event kicks off in Salt Lake City this Thursday, ten of the twelve Premier teams will be battling it out on the court, with New York and DC sitting this one out. Each team will play six matches, setting the stage for a crucial moment in the season where playoff contenders will start to emerge.
Despite riding high from a mid-season tournament win and maintaining a near-perfect record, New Jersey 5s met their match in Dallas Flash on Thursday. While Dallas has struggled with consistency all season, their undeniable talent and strength in doubles and Dreambreaker capabilities make them a formidable force. In an unpredictable yet thrilling showdown, Dallas handed New Jersey their first loss of the season, proving that on any given day, they can rise to the occasion and outplay even the strongest teams.
Friday: A Full Slate
Friday’s packed schedule features nine matches. Arizona faces a strong St. Louis team (Hayden Patriquin, Gabe Tardio, Anna Bright, Kate Fahey). Daescu’s presence boosts Arizona, but St. Louis, especially if Fahey maintains her form, has a slight edge. The men’s doubles matchup promises to be a highlight.
A revamped Carolina team, now featuring Ben Johns, Collin Johns, Jessie Irvine, and Brooke Buckner, takes on LA. Missing Thomas Wilson, LA fields Hunter Johnson, Blaine Hovenier, Catherine Parenteau, and Jade Kawamoto. Carolina’s enhanced Dreambreaker potential and LA’s weakened lineup point to a Carolina victory.
Saturday: High-Stakes Matches
Saturday continues the action with nine more matches. New Jersey versus St. Louis stands out, featuring teams with the best chemistry in MLP 2024. The women’s doubles match, Waters/Humberg against Bright/Fahey, could be the day’s highlight. St. Louis’ men might have an edge, making the women’s doubles result crucial.
Later, St. Louis faces Dallas, another clash of title contenders. The outcomes of these matches will heavily influence the playoff picture.
An evening match worth noting is Arizona against Texas (Christian Alshon, Quang Duong, Etta Wright, Tina Pisnik). With playoff implications, Arizona needs a win. The teams are evenly matched: Arizona’s men have an edge, while Texas’ women are stronger. A Texas victory would solidify their playoff credentials.
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Sunday: The Finale
The final day features six matches, starting with the hometown team Utah (Tyler Loong, Connor Garnett, Callie Smith, Alix Truong) against St. Louis. Utah appears outmatched, especially in the women’s and men’s doubles. This could be a 4-0 win for St. Louis.
Another must-watch match pits Carolina against Columbus, promising a Ben Johns vs. Riley Newman showdown. Former teammates Koop and Buckner facing off adds another layer of excitement. Both teams need a win to stay in playoff contention.
Salt Lake City’s MLP event is crucial, with teams aiming for at least ten points from their six matches to stay in playoff contention. Falling below eight points could spell trouble in the standings. Tune in starting Thursday to witness the drama unfold and see which teams can secure a step closer to the playoffs.
News in Brief: MLP Salt Lake City This Weekend
The Major League Pickleball event in Salt Lake City begins Thursday, with ten Premier teams competing while New York and DC sit out. Each team plays six matches, pivotal for playoff contention. New Jersey 5s, after a mid-season win, suffered their first loss against Dallas Flash. Friday’s nine matches include a key Arizona vs. St. Louis game, with Arizona boosted by Daescu but St. Louis favored.
Carolina, now featuring the Johns brothers and Jessie Irvine, faces LA, likely securing a win. Saturday’s highlights include New Jersey vs. St. Louis and Arizona vs. Texas. Sunday’s finale has Utah against St. Louis, with Utah likely outmatched, and Carolina vs. Columbus, featuring a Ben Johns vs. Riley Newman showdown. Teams need at least ten points to stay playoff-relevant.
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