malik nabers

1974 Offseason
Manhattan, New York

NEW FACES AROUND THE MLA
The Major Lacrosse Association would add 3 new teams to the league. Teams from Brooklyn, Ottawa, and Winnipeg. This expansion set will grow the league to 11 teams.

The league will return to its 3 division format with the Central, East, and West divisions. The East will consist of: Boston, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Ottawa. The Central will consist of: Chicago, Cleveland, Toronto, and Louisville. Lastly, The West will consist of only Colorado, Omaha, and Winnipeg.

Additionally to the restructure of divisions, the league will expand from a 4 team playoff to a 6 team playoff. Each division winner will clinch a playoff spot, with the top 2 teams recieving first round byes.

LOUISVILLE SITUATION GETTING SHAKY
Trent Duff and his lacrosse team have been in hot water recently. With their stadium deteriorating, lack of success, and team chemistry has made their fanbase less interested. Trent is interested in relocating the team for greener pastures. He has looked into 4 different cities for relocation.

Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee has been on the league's radar for some time. This would add another team in the Great Lakes region, as well as give Chicago a close rival. The plan will call to play at City Park which can hold 5,000 and would have to go under renovations to host a lacrosse team.

Columbus, OH
Similarly to Milwaukee, Columbus has been on the league's radar for a long time. Columbus has a couple decent venues that could be used in the meantime while a long-term venue is constructed. Overall, the city would welcome a team but, there are other owners who would like to get their grasp on Columbus first.

St. Louis, MO
St. Louis is an interesting city on this list for sure. The Otters did not work out on the pro level, but that was due to their lack of success on the field. Municipal Stadium is a fine, albeit aging venue but the stadium can certainly service a te

Q1
MAN: Goal scored by Attackman Evan Flow
BOS: Goal scored by Midfielder Matt Shovel
MAN: Goal scored by Attackman Alec Pryor
2-1 (MAN)

Q2
BOS: Goal scored by Midfielder Matt Shovel
BOS: Goal scored by Attackman Emerson Homer
2-3 (BOS)

Q3
MAN: Goal scored by Midfielder Mike Smith
MAN: Goal scored by Attackman Alec Pryor
BOS: Goal scored by Attackman Quincy Markett
4-4 (TIED)

Q4
MAN: Goal scored by Attackman Evan Durrant
BOS: Goal scored by Attackman Emmerson Homer
MAN: Goal scored by Midfielder Niklas Niek
6-5 (MAN)

After an unbelieveable 3 quarters by both teams, Manhattan Midfielder Niklas Niek walks off the game with a goal in the 4th Quarter. This will send Manhattan to their second straight MLA Championship game and they will travel to Toronto to take on the Falcons.

This game marks the second year in a row Manhattan ends Boston's season in the playoffs. This game only fuels the rivalry between the two clubs.

The conclusion of the 1974 season.

Toronto and Manhattan finished in their expected spots with 11-3 records. Toronto being ranked above Manhattan due to sweeping Boston which Manhattan did not accomplish. Boston also finished at their expected 8-9 win range, a solid team this season. The Colorado Jackals were an absolute wildcard here with a 7-7 record. The Jackals beat the Roadrunners in the last game of the year which sent the Jackals to the playoffs, if Omaha wins it, Omaha makes it. As previously stated, Omaha was close to a playoff berth, a 5-6 loss eliminated them from the playoff race. The Chicago Cardinals with a 6-8 record is a surprise, it isn't due to the lack of play from Wildgoose but rather the shock of losing Wildgoose early on in the season that really did the damage. The Cleveland Thunderbirds with a 4-10 record was certainly a surprise, especially being 8-6 the previous year. Cleveland can certainly be good, they just need a big name on their team. Louisville needs to change something soon. Louisville's attendance is dwindling which could leave their team in jeopardy.

Playoffs
Manhattan will be hosting the Boston Seawolves as a rematch of the 1973 MLA Championship where the Seawolves got shutout 5-0. Meanwhile Toronto will play host to the Colorado Jackals in their first playoff appearance. The Falcons think they will have an easy win but the Jackals play with some grit. 

1. Toronto Falcons hosting 4. Colorado Jackals
2. Manhattan hosting 3. Boston Seawolves

1973 Offseason Continued

MAJOR SIGNINGS
Former Golden Horseshoe players signed with new teams. Attackman Noodin Kenosha signed with the Toronto Falcons. Attackman Max Powers made a bold move and signed with the Colorado Jackals after Cliff threw a large sum of money at him. Midfielder Todd Sweeney signed with the Toronto Falcons as well. Defensemen Jacob Bailey signed with the Cleveland Thunderbirds.

Two Philadelphia players were part of the major signings. Defensemen Collin-Jones Bakersfield signed with the Chicago Cardinals and young Attackman Alec Pryor headed over to Manhattan. 

St. Louis Midfielder Barrell Hampton signed with Chicago and St. Louis Defensemen Wolfgang Sebastian signed with the Omaha Roadrunners.

There were a couple fresh out of college signings. Boston signed Attackman Emerson Homer from St. Botolph. Chicago signed Defensemen Victor Lozano from Chicago City College. Louisville signed Midfielder Blake Gerard from Brooklyn.