PLL Week 4 Preview: Revamped Rosters Gather in Charlotte

The Carolina Chaos host week four of the Premier Lacrosse League as seven teams meet in Charlotte. Several notable names were added to active rosters this week and several stars have already been ruled out with injuries. 

The roster decisions of each team’s head coach and general manager will be put to the test in North Carolina.

UTAH ARCHERS (1-2) AT CAROLINA CHAOS (2-1)

Friday 6 p.m. EST | Watch: ESPN+ | Betting Lines: Chaos -1.5 vs. Archers, O/U 20.5

Key storylines: The latest installment in one of the fiercest PLL rivalries kicks off the weekend as the Chaos hosts the Utah Archers. Both teams are known for their defensive pedigrees and feature former PLL championship MVPs in net.

As good as the Archers have been on defense, allowing just 8 goals per game, they’ve been the polar opposite on offense. Utah’s offense is averaging 6.67 goals per game and has struggled to get consistent production from any of its healthy stars. The Archers average just 19 shots on goal, so generating quality scoring chances on Carolina’s Blaze Riorden will be critical.

Also, Chaos defender Jack Rowlett is back on the active roster after being inactive last weekend. He’ll rejoin a defense that held Philadelphia to eight goals in Week 3.

Players to watch: The Utah offense needs a spark. Could rookie Leo Johnson provide that in his PLL debut? The former Yale and Maryland attackman is listed as one of Utah’s four offensive midfielders, but don’t be surprised if Archers coach Chris Bates once again tests some different attack combinations Friday night.

Rookie Chad Palumbo made his debut last week and currently has the second-best odds to win rookie of the year behind Maryland’s Joey Spallina. With the Whipsnakes on a bye this week and Chaos playing a doubleheader, Palumbo has a chance to take over as the rookie of the year favorite.

Bold prediction: Utah’s offense struggles again as Riorden and the Carolina defense hold them to under 10 goals. The Archers’ defense keeps Carolina in check early on, but the Chaos eventually pull away and secure another multi-goal win.

Best Bet: Carolina Chaos -1.5 (+100 on most sportsbooks)

NEW YORK ATLAS (1-2) VS. CALIFORNIA REDWOODS (1-1)

Friday 8:30 p.m. EST | Watch: ESPN+ | Betting Lines: Redwoods -1.5 vs. Atlas, O/U 24.5

Key storylines: The game that features the most roster turnover is the Atlas taking on the Redwoods. Both New York and California were active with player acquisitions this week, perhaps most notably the Atlas' claim of 2019 PLL MVP Matt Rambo from the Whipsnakes after he went unprotected for three straight games. Rambo will immediately slot into the lefty attack spot and be tasked with contributing to an offense that is thin this week.

After losing their championship MVP last week, New York enters week four without midfielders Bryan Costabile or Matt Traynor. Fortunately neither are injured, but the Atlas will once again be tested without a couple of their leading scorers.

New York’s offense will not have to deal with Redwoods defender Cole Kastner, but former Ohio State defender Cullen Brown will make his PLL debut in his place. California also gets Chris Kavanagh, Sam English and Ryder Garnsey all back this week.

The Redwoods' move that made the most noise was their trade for goaltender Ryan Croddick. The Denver Outlaws picked up the former Princeton netminder on the waiver wire and immediately dealt him to California in exchange for a 2027 first-round draft pick. While the compensation might appear high, so was the demand.

California reportedly beat out Philadelphia’s attempt at trading for the 2026 national champion. In Phil Shore’s article on the trade, Redwoods general manager Joe Spallina explained that the NCAA’s proposed “5-in-5” rule was a major factor in his decision to acquire Croddick. If implemented, the rule would allow Division I student-athletes to play five full seasons over five consecutive years, which could allow many of the top 2027 PLL draft prospects to return to school for another year.

While the Redwoods still plan to start Dillon Ward, they believe they now have their goalie of the future.

Players to watch: While all eyes will be on Rambo, a pair of former Syracuse teammates will make their PLL debuts. Sixth-overall pick Michael Leo will debut at midfield for the Rewdoods, while second-rounder Luke Rhoa will begin his pro career with the Atlas.

Bold prediction: The defending champs flounder on offense again as California comes away with a multi-goal win and Ward cements himself as an MVP candidate.

Best Bet: California Redwoods -1.5 (+120 on BetRivers or TheScore Bet)

DENVER OUTLAWS (2-1) AT CAROLINA CHAOS (2-1)

Saturday 5:30 p.m. EST | Watch: ESPN+ | Betting Lines: Outlaws -1.5 vs. Chaos, O/U 22.5

Key storylines: Carolina’s second game of the weekend could propel them into first place in the West. Both teams look to stay above .500 and take hold of the conference. Carolina has had Denver’s number of late, winning both matchups last season.

If the Chaos win Friday, they’ll have the chance to become just the fifth team to win both games of a home doubleheader. The Whipsnakes have pulled off this feat twice, and both the Atlas and Archers did it in 2024. In both of Carolina’s previous doubleheaders, they won the first game but lost the second. Can they buck that trend Saturday?

Players to watch: Unfortunately for the Outlaws, they’ll be without at least one of their four Tewaaraton winners and could be down two by the start of the game. Denver will be without Jared Bernhardt due to a hamstring injury, and Pat Kavanagh is questionable for the second straight week. Kavanagh’s status will be one to monitor leading up to game time. If Kavanagh remains on the PUP list, Denver will likely turn to Dalton Young to fill that right-handed attack slot. Jonathan Donville is also back in the lineup and could be an option on that right side as well.

Regardless, the Outlaws hope attackman Brennan O’Neill gets going. O’Neill has shot just 7.7 percent this season, registering two goals through three games. Denver will need O’Neill to get going early and often to contend with a Carolina offense that is shooting a league-best 29.7 percent.

Bold prediction: Carolina continues to prove they’re legitimate contenders in the West, upsetting Denver in their second game of the weekend.

Best Bet: Carolina Chaos ML (+110 on BetMGM, BetRivers or DraftKings)

PHILADELPHIA WATERDOGS (1-2) VS. BOSTON CANNONS (1-2)

Saturday 8 p.m. EST | Watch: ESPN+ | Betting Lines: Waterdogs -1.5 vs. Cannons, O/U 25.5

Key storylines: The Waterdogs’ signing of reigning defenseman of the year Gavin Adler was the biggest free agency move of the offseason. Unfortunately, Philly’s prized offseason acquisition will miss this week with a right quad strain. Short-stick defensive midfielder Casey Wilson was also ruled out with an injury, leaving the Waterdogs with two true shorties on the active roster.

When Philly last faced Boston, it wasn’t pretty. The Cannons dropped 19 goals and held Philadelphia to just five scores. Colin Kirst was exceptional, making 16 saves and stopping 80 percent of the shots he faced. He’ll need to be at the top of his game again Saturday when he faces his younger brother, CJ.

The younger Kirst’s presence in the 2026 NLL Finals caused his absence from the last matchup, so he’ll undoubtedly look to make up for lost time. Last season, he scored five goals on his brother and added an assist, even though Colin still made 20 saves and stopped 66.7 percent of shots in a Boston win. Oldest brother Connor Kirst also contributed, scoring a goal for the Cannons in the 13-10 win.

Players to watch: In addition to the Kirst family, there are a handful of rookies to keep an eye on. Former Adelphi star Kyle Lewis will debut for the Dogs and hopefully add a dynamic threat to a midfield unit that has underperformed. On the other end, Andrew McMeekin, Logan Ip and Will Donovan will all make their pro debuts for the Cannons.

McMeekin is coming off a strong performance in the NCAA tournament that culminated in an NCAA title. Boston released faceoff specialist Zac Tucci to make McMeekin its guy at the draw. Many current and former faceoff specialists have talked about the learning curve at the pro level being steep, so it will be interesting to see how McMeekin fares against veteran Connor Farrell.

Bold prediction: The Cannons light up the Waterdogs again, though Philadelphia keeps the game closer than the last meeting.

Best Bet: Boston Cannons ML (+100 on BetRivers or DraftKings)