Best Lacrosse Checks: Analyzing the 2023 NCAA Division III Men’s Lacrosse Season

How did Salisbury clinch the top spot in the final rankings. What were the biggest upsets and statement wins of the season. Which teams exceeded expectations and which ones fell short.

Salisbury’s Dominant Championship Run

The 2023 NCAA Division III men’s lacrosse season concluded with Salisbury University capturing its 13th national title. Led by legendary coach Jim Berkman, the Sea Gulls showcased their defensive prowess in the championship game, shutting down a high-powered Tufts offense that had been undefeated up to that point.

Salisbury’s championship victory propelled them to the #1 spot in the final Nike/USA Lacrosse Division III Men’s Top 20 rankings. Their only loss of the season came against Gettysburg, finishing with an impressive 23-1 record.

Key Factors in Salisbury’s Success

• Stellar defensive scheme implemented by Coach Berkman
• Balanced offensive attack
• Experience in high-pressure situations
• Strong leadership from upperclassmen

Tufts’ Near-Perfect Season

Despite falling short in the national championship game, Tufts University put together a remarkable campaign in 2023. The Jumbos entered the NCAA tournament as the top-ranked team and were in pursuit of a perfect season before encountering Salisbury in the final.

Tufts finished the year with a 22-1 record and the #2 spot in the final rankings. Their high-octane offense proved nearly unstoppable throughout the regular season and most of the tournament.

Tufts’ Offensive Firepower

How did Tufts manage to dominate opponents throughout the season? The Jumbos’ offensive success can be attributed to several factors:

1. Multiple scoring threats across the attack and midfield
2. Innovative offensive schemes
3. Excellent ball movement and unselfishness
4. Strong faceoff play leading to possession advantages

Biggest Upset: St. John Fisher’s Struggles

One of the most surprising storylines of the 2023 season was the early struggles of St. John Fisher. Coming off a strong 2022 campaign where they lost only three games, expectations were high for the Cardinals despite the departure of a talented senior class.

However, St. John Fisher stumbled out of the gate, losing eight of their first nine games. This shocking start saw them plummet from their preseason ranking in the 15-19 range.

Factors Contributing to St. John Fisher’s Slow Start

• Loss of key senior leadership and production
• Inexperienced players adjusting to larger roles
• Challenging early-season schedule
• Close losses affecting team morale

Is there hope for a St. John Fisher resurgence in 2024? Despite the disappointing start, the Cardinals showed resilience by finishing strong, going 9-2 over their final 11 games. With four of their top five scorers returning and valuable experience gained by freshmen in prominent roles, St. John Fisher could be poised for a return to the Top 10 next season.

Swarthmore’s Statement Win Over Gettysburg

Perhaps the most significant regular-season victory came on April 8th when Swarthmore defeated perennial powerhouse Gettysburg. This win sent shockwaves through the Division III lacrosse landscape and signaled a potential shift in the balance of power.

Gettysburg entered the matchup with an impressive resume, including wins over Salisbury, Washington and Lee, Ursinus, Stevenson, and York. However, Swarthmore, led by the dynamic Mabbs brothers, proved they belonged among the elite programs with their upset victory.

Impact of Swarthmore’s Victory

• Catapulted Swarthmore into the Top 20 rankings
• Increased national recognition for the program
• Boosted confidence for the team in big games
• Demonstrated the depth of talent in Pennsylvania lacrosse

How did Swarthmore build on this momentum? The Garnet didn’t rest on their laurels, defeating Gettysburg again about a month later to prove their initial victory was no fluke. This consistency against top competition solidified Swarthmore’s status as a legitimate contender in Division III.

Washington and Lee’s Underrated Season

Despite a strong campaign and deep NCAA tournament run, Washington and Lee University found themselves underappreciated for much of the 2023 season. The Generals finished ranked 5th in the final poll, but spent a significant portion of the year outside the top 10.

W&L’s high-powered offense was a sight to behold, scoring 20 or more goals in 10 games and finishing 7th overall in team offense with 17.52 goals per game.

Reasons for W&L’s Underrated Status

• Early-season three-game losing streak
• Two overtime losses diminishing their record
• Lack of national attention compared to traditional powers
• Strength of schedule concerns

What made Washington and Lee’s offense so potent? The Generals combined a variety of factors to create their explosive attack:

1. Multiple scoring threats across positions
2. Uptempo playing style
3. Excellent transition game
4. Creative offensive sets and play-calling

Washington and Lee’s tournament run eventually came to an end in the quarterfinals against champion Salisbury, but their exciting brand of lacrosse and impressive results proved they belonged among the nation’s elite programs.

Rising Programs to Watch

While traditional powers like Salisbury and Tufts continued to dominate, the 2023 season saw several programs make significant strides and position themselves as potential contenders in the coming years.

Christopher Newport University

Christopher Newport finished the season ranked 3rd with a 19-3 record. The Captains’ strong showing throughout the year and deep tournament run established them as a program on the rise in Division III lacrosse.

Union College

Union made a notable jump in the final rankings, finishing at #13 after being unranked for much of the season. Their 12-7 record and late-season surge demonstrated the program’s potential for future success.

Grove City College

Grove City cracked the final Top 20, coming in at #18 after being unranked for most of the year. Their 11-9 record may not jump off the page, but their competitiveness against top programs showed promise for the future.

Conference Strength and Parity

The 2023 season highlighted the increasing parity and depth of talent across Division III lacrosse conferences. While some leagues maintained their status as powerhouses, others saw significant improvements in overall competitiveness.

Top Performing Conferences

• New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC)
• Centennial Conference
• Capital Athletic Conference (CAC)
• Liberty League

How did conference strength impact the NCAA tournament? The distribution of at-large bids and the success of teams from various conferences in the tournament demonstrated the overall competitiveness of Division III lacrosse. No single conference dominated the postseason, with quality teams emerging from multiple leagues.

Individual Standouts and Future Stars

While team success often takes center stage, the 2023 season featured numerous individual performances worthy of recognition. From established seniors cementing their legacies to emerging underclassmen making their mark, the year was filled with impressive individual efforts.

Notable Senior Performances

Several seniors capped off their collegiate careers with outstanding seasons, leaving lasting impacts on their programs:

• Cross Ferrara (Salisbury) – Led the Sea Gulls’ offense en route to the national title
• Mac Bredahl (Tufts) – Powered the Jumbos’ high-scoring attack
• Jack Taylor (Christopher Newport) – Anchored the Captains’ defense

Emerging Underclassmen

The future of Division III lacrosse looks bright, with numerous underclassmen showcasing their talents in 2023:

• Caleb Riggs (Salisbury) – Sophomore midfielder who made key contributions in the championship run
• Charlie Tagliaferri (Tufts) – Freshman attackman who seamlessly integrated into the Jumbos’ offense
• Owen Hoffman (Washington and Lee) – Sophomore attackman who helped power the Generals’ high-scoring offense

How will these young stars continue to develop? As these players gain more experience and take on larger roles within their programs, they have the potential to become the face of Division III lacrosse in the coming years.

The 2023 NCAA Division III men’s lacrosse season provided fans with thrilling action, surprising upsets, and memorable performances. As the sport continues to grow at this level, the increasing parity and emergence of new contenders promise an exciting future for Division III lacrosse.

Salisbury Checks in Atop Final Nike/USA Lacrosse Division III Men’s Top 20

Salisbury Checks in Atop Final Nike/USA Lacrosse Division III Men’s Top 20 | USA Lacrosse Magazine

Skip to main content

Salisbury Checks in Atop Final Nike/USA Lacrosse Division III Men’s Top 20

Thu Jun 8 2023 | Dan Arestia and Kyle Devitte | College
College Men   Division III   NCAA Lacrosse Rankings

PHOTO BY RICH BARNES

Salisbury shut down Tufts to win its 13th national championship.

Jim Berkman’s defensive mastery was on display in the national championship game, and as a result, Salisbury lifted its 13th national title and finishes the 2023 reason ranked No. 1 in the Nike/USA Lacrosse Division III Men’s Top 20.

Tufts, the national runner-up and the top team entering the NCAA tournament, is No. 2. The Jumbos were in search of a perfect season before running into the Sea Gulls.

Nike/USA Lacrosse Rankings

Division I Men | Division I Women
Division II Men | Division II Women
Division III Men | Division III Women

NIKE/USA LACROSSE
DIVISION III MEN’S TOP 20

Also considered (alphabetical order): Clarkson, Hampden-Sydney, Muhlenberg, Stevens

IN CLOSING

A quick look at the biggest storylines of 2023.

BIGGEST UPSET

In 2022, St. John Fisher lost just three games, the last of which was in the NCAA tournament at the hands of a Tufts-colored buzzsaw. Fisher was senior-heavy and dynamic on offense. It controlled possessions and knew when and how to put its foot on the gas. Preseason polls put St. John Fisher somewhere in the 15-19 neighborhood. Yes, a very talented senior class had graduated, but there were some bright young contributors in 2022, and it’s hard to imagine a bare cupboard after the year they had.

Well, 2023 did not go quite as well. St. John Fisher lost eight of the first nine games, with one postponement, early in the year. It plummeted from the polls, and it was clear that a rebuild was underway. There were battles in those losses, falling to RIT by just two, CNU by four and Ursinus and Muhlenberg by one. But as can happen with a young team, those close games more often seem to be losses than wins. St. John Fisher’s early season experience paid off in an excellent second half of the spring, as SJFC went 9-2 over the last 11 games. Four of the top five scorers return next season, and multiple freshmen in prominent roles will be a year better.

Possibly poised to return to the Top 10 in 2024, it was a stunner to see the start of 2023 go how it did. 

BIGGEST STATEMENT WIN

Other than the title game, this Swarthmore victory over Gettysburg felt like a seismic shift in the balance of power in Division III. Gettysburg had beaten Salisbury (which remains the Gulls’ only loss of 2023), Washington and Lee, Ursinus, Stevenson and York … surely, it was going to handle little ol’ Swarthmore. This season, there was no “surely.” 

On April 8, Swarthmore, a team that was only well known in Pennsylvanian circles and the dark netherworlds of D-III message boards, led by the Mabbs boys, knocked off the blue-blooded Bullets. Swarthmore made a massive leap into the Top 20 the next week and climbed from there. In fact, Swarthmore liked the win so much, it did it again about a month later. 

NOT ENOUGH LOVE

Mea culpa. The Generals were outside of the top 10 for way too long this season. Hindsight is a fickle and vengeful mistress, but we must respect her. W&L made a convincing run in the NCAA tournament to silence even the most ardent of doubters. This team put up 20 goals 10 times this season. The Generals finished seventh overall in team offense with 17.52 goals per game. Scoring was never the problem. 

A three-game losing streak in the first half of the season is the most likely reason why pundits didn’t rate W&L, but when you look at those losses, two were in overtime, one against Lynchburg and one against Hampden-Sydney. And the third loss was against a surging CNU team chasing the No. 1 spot at that point in the season.

W&L’s run through the playoffs ended with a quarterfinal loss to eventual champion Salisbury, but up until that point, the Generals were one of the most fun teams to watch in the nation. Not just because of the goals, but the play between the boxes and the end product of a squad that grew into itself throughout the spring.  

NCAA Lacrosse Rankings

Middlebury Leads Wire-to-Wire in Nike/USA Lacrosse D-III Women’s Top 20

Jun 8 2023 | Laurel Pfahler

NCAA Lacrosse Rankings

Salisbury Checks in Atop Final Nike/USA Lacrosse Division III Men’s Top 20

Jun 8 2023 | Dan Arestia and Kyle Devitte

Division III

Ithaca Head Coach Jeff Long Retires After 36 Seasons

Jun 2 2023 | Kenny DeJohn

Division III

Another One: Salisbury’s Untraditional Route to its 13th National Championship

May 28 2023 | Matt Hamilton

Twitter Posts

Tweets by USLacrosse

Copyright © USA Lacrosse Magazine

Weekly Newsletter

Get the best and latest from USLaxMagazine.com delivered weekly straight to your inbox.

Best lacrosse elbow pads

Which lacrosse elbow pads are best?

Lacrosse is an aggressive contact sport. Protection from hits and checks is an absolute necessity. A defender will use a check to knock the ball out of an opponent’s stick head, and although it should only be stick to stick, oftentimes the elbows take the hit. Before buying elbow pads, however, it’s important to know the position and the style of play for you or your player. For the most versatile lacrosse elbow pads, the STX Lacrosse Cell 4 Lacrosse Elbow Pads are the top choice.

What to know before you buy lacrosse elbow pads

Sizing

Much like knee pads, lacrosse elbow pads come in many different sizes such as small, medium and large. There are youth sizes available as well. It’s best to have an idea of your size and take a look at the dimensions on the descriptions to ensure that they have a proper, snug fit to maximize their protection and comfort. The last thing you want is your pads sliding around during a match and failing to protect you from hits.

Field positions

In the game of lacrosse, there are four main field positions, each requiring different levels of protection. The attack position needs more protection against incoming checks. The midfield position dodges checks from up top, making for fewer checks. The defense position often doesn’t take checks unless clearing the ball, and of course, the goalie doesn’t take checks at all. These factors are all important when deciding which elbow pads are best.

Terminology

Although they are all, by definition, elbow pads, lacrosse elbow pads can use a different vernacular to describe the differences of their designs. There are arm guards which are best for the attack position due to their added protection. There are also arm pads, which are best for midfield positions with less protection but more mobility. Elbow caps for the defense have the least amount of protection but the most mobility. 

What to look for in quality lacrosse elbow pads

Adjustable straps

Although the lacrosse elbow pads do come in different sizes, everyone is different. It’s best to have some adjustment and customizable fit to ensure that it’s comfortable and does not slide up and down the arm, leaving it vulnerable to checks. Usually, lacrosse elbow pads have one to three straps to ensure a secure fit.

Hard shells vs. soft shells 

The level of protection needed is most certainly going to depend on the position that you are playing most often. Hard shells offer more protection but it is possible that they will limit mobility. Soft shells offer less protection but maximize mobility. Which design is better depends on the position and the level of protection that you prefer.

Ventilation

Moisture control and ventilation are something to look into when it comes to upgraded versions of lacrosse elbow pads. Without ventilation, there can be added moisture which could lead to discomfort or irritation. Technology in this sport is constantly improving, so there should be some breathability without sacrificing vital protection.

How much you can expect to spend on lacrosse elbow pads

Typically, lacrosse elbow pads can start around $20 for the most basic levels of protection, but more advanced models with better levels of protection, comfort, and ventilation can cost up to $115.

Lacrosse elbow pads FAQ

What other protection is needed for the sport of lacrosse?

A. It depends on the position, but most often players are required to have a stick, mouthguard, and protective eyewear. The goalie, however, is required to wear a helmet with a face mask, a separate throat protector, padded gloves and a chest protector.

How fast can a lacrosse ball fly?

A. It depends on the level of expertise but in youth lacrosse, balls can be thrown as fast as 75 miles per hour. In professional lacrosse, balls can whip at speeds of up to 105 miles per hour.

What are the best lacrosse elbow pads to buy?

Top lacrosse elbow pads

STX Lacrosse Cell 4 Lacrosse Elbow Pads

What you need to know: These pads offer a range of motion without sacrificing mobility. They are great for any lacrosse player playing multiple positions.

What you’ll love: Their new Geoflex II technology is 25% more flexible while remaining lightweight. It has a breathable protection system that allows airflow through the pad to help moisture control. Silicone tape inside the sleeve helps it stay in place.

What you should consider: These lacrosse elbow pads don’t have any adjustable straps for custom comfort.

Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Dick’s Sporting Goods

Shop Now

Top lacrosse elbow pads for the money

Brine Lacrosse Clutch Elbow Pads

What you need to know: These lacrosse elbow pads are able to withstand high impacts without limiting mobility, making them great for defensive players. 

What you’ll love: The ventilator stretch sleeve provides flexibility and comfort while keeping dry. Each pad is constructed with grid-flex, making a single-piece design that provides a flexible form fit. The compression-molded foam can take on enhanced impacts and performance.

What you should consider: These pads may not be the best for attacking positions due to their size. There are also no adjustable straps for adjustments to make a custom fit.

Where to buy: Sold by Amazon

Shop Now

Worth checking out

Epoch Integra Lacrosse Arm Guards for Attackmen

What you need to know: The hard shell design makes these pads ideal for attacking players.

What you’ll love: The dual-density foam reduces the amount of stitching needed on the pad, improving flexibility, movement and protection. Each pad has a sandwich locking system, allowing for a custom fit.

What you should consider: These elbow pads may not be the best for defensive players or midfield positions because they could limit mobility. 

Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Dick’s Sporting Goods

Shop Now

Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.

Alec Welsh writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.

Matt Gilroy: “I wore a shell over my shorts as a kid. The coach exclaimed: “Get off the ice”

One of the best shooting guards in the KHL – about his dead brother, Ovechkin’s best friend and the whistle of eighty thousand fans.

At twenty-four, Matt Gilroy was recognized as the best player in the university league, at twenty-five he went to the World Championship as part of the US team, at thirty he signed a one-year contract with Atlant after five seasons in the NHL and did not change teams in December, when most foreigners left Mytishchi due to the financial crisis. And recently, Matt hit four out of four targets in the KHL Masters Show Shooting Contest.

– You became one of the heroes of the recent All-Star Game. What feelings did you bring back from Sochi?

– I didn’t expect to win this competition. Went there just to have fun. For the first time in my professional career, I participated in the All-Star Game, it was interesting for me to chat with the guys from other teams, Kovalchuk, Volsky and others, to get a little distracted from everyday life. Sochi is a beautiful city, one of the nicest I’ve seen in Russia, and it so happened that I not only shook myself, but also hit four targets on four attempts. I think it helped that I played lacrosse in my backyard as a kid. I have thrown the ball into the net a million times, and the technology of throwing in lacrosse is very similar to what I did in Sochi.

– What did you know about our country before Atlant called you?

Absolutely nothing. Honestly. I came here not knowing what kind of audience there is, what kind of hockey, what kind of life. When Atlant came to me with an offer, I began to consult with my fellow countrymen who played in the KHL – Matt Andersen and Ryan Veske. I was told that in Moscow there are nice people, great restaurants, and in your free time you can do a lot of things, but just don’t get bored. In Russia, I really met wonderful people, especially here in Atlanta – in the first weeks I was surrounded by such care that I could not care about anything, think only about hockey.

– And who is the most wonderful in Atlanta?

– When I first arrived here, I did not leave Andreas Engqvist – he became my closest friend in Russia and remains so even after the exchange with CSKA. Andreas got to Atlant two years earlier than me, studied Moscow and local hockey well and helped me integrate into the team, feel comfortable in it. And my favorite player here is, of course, the Crow.

– Do you mean – Peter Vrana?

– No, Crow – Artem Voronin. A very funny guy. I don’t speak Russian, and he speaks English, but there is always some kind of movement around him, fun. I have no idea what he’s talking about, but he makes me laugh all the time.

– How do you spend your free time here?

– I have an apartment near the arena. There I read or watch American TV shows. To be honest, most often I watch TV shows: Californication with David Duchovny, Friday Night Lights – a series about a football coach from Texas, a very funny series Modern Family – about three related, but dissimilar families. Sometimes I go to Moscow – to have dinner, to walk around Red Square – oh, it is constantly seething, it is always full of people. I like to wander in Moscow to new places, along the central streets, where I have not yet been, and once I took a boat ride along the Moscow River and finally realized what a beautiful city it is. Something like New York. For example, the subway is similar.

– Do you often go down there?

– Not really, but it happens. There is some incredible traffic in Moscow, it scares me, I could never drive a car here. I have a driver, but I don’t always take it, knowing about Moscow traffic jams. I came from New York, which, along with Los Angeles, has the worst traffic in America, but they cannot be compared with what I saw in Moscow.

– What else makes your life in Russia less idyllic?

– Language barrier. Coach Alexei Kudashov and his assistants speak English quite well, but sometimes I want to hang out, have lunch with partners, Russian guys, and this can be difficult. If I stay here next season, I need to take some Russian lessons at home so I can communicate more fluently.

I live near a bus stop and pass by it often. Once a man stopped me and began to ask me something, but I did not know what he wanted and how I could help him. Or another case – I was stuck in an elevator with some people, they started to say something, but I did not understand a word, so I just lowered my head and waited for the elevator to open.

– Maybe they spoke about the standings of Atlanta?

– No, no one here knew me then, besides, my head was hidden by a hood, and it was difficult to see my face.

– Have your relatives been here before?

My fiancée will visit me soon. In general, I have a very large family, in which there are ten children, everyone is now busy with something and cannot find time to come to Russia together. But if I continue to play in the KHL next season, I want to plan a visit from relatives in advance – last summer we simply did not have time for this. My relatives will be interested – many of them are connected with sports.

– Who exactly?

– My father grew up in New York and was a great basketball player for St. John’s varsity team – basketball has always been a big part of my family’s life, my older brother played basketball in high school and college, I love playing it now for a workout. So, dad entered the Hall of Fame of his university team, he was selected by Philadelphia in the NBA draft, but then his father chose a career on Wall Street. All my life I watched how cheerfully he plays and works, and it inspired me to match him.

My uncle also worked at the Nassau Coliseum, the Islanders arena. We lived two miles from it, so we could call our uncle at any time of the day or night and go there for a ride. We just jumped into the car to our father and he drove us to the skating rink. It was pretty comfortable. And once, when I was six or seven years old, I skated on the same ice with Pat La Fontaine – he was my favorite player then, although I was not a fan of the Islanders.

– And how did Lafontaine end up next to you?

– The Islanders’ training was over, the boys and I went on the ice and saw that Lafontaine did not go with the rest of the players to the locker room, but stayed to work out more. Moreover, he did not drive us away, we did not interfere with him, he even had a little fight with us. I remember that day like it was yesterday.

– Your other idol, as far as I know, was Wayne Gretzky.

– Yes, my brother Timmy and I loved Wayne, but Gretzky’s number 99 was on our kids’ team, so we got 97 and 98. Before we played hockey for the first time, Timmy and I went to a skating lesson – and there is a very funny story connected with this. Mom took us to the skating rink and collected us. It so happened that she did not know (and we – even more so) how to properly put on a shell that protects the groin, and put it on us over our shorts, and not under them. And, I remembered – also the shields on the legs were outside. Can you imagine what we looked like? The coach, seeing us in this form, exclaimed: “Wow, wow, wow, get out of the ice and don’t come back until you dress properly.” And we had no idea how to do it right, but then we somehow guessed.

– How long did you have time to play with Timmy?

– A couple of seasons. And when I was six years old, the three of us went to one game – me, Timmy and my older brother Frankie. It was wonderful – we played in the same three and everyone had “Gilroy” written on the sweater. I will always remember that game.

When Timmy was eight, he was riding his bike down the street – no one saw what happened exactly, but he was found on the pavement with a broken head. A few days later he was gone. He was a little more than a year younger than me and could have done a lot. To console my mother, I promised her on that terrible day that I would play number 9 for the rest of my life.7 – in memory of Timmy. On the teams he was on, I would wear a 9 or 7, and my mom would put the number 97 on the back of my sweater—the same was true on the basketball and lacrosse teams I played for in high school. This custom has survived to this day – entering the locker room before the game, I look at my sweater and remember my younger brother.

– I read that you weren’t allowed to play number 97 at Boston University.

– Yes, there is a rule that no one can be numbered higher than 30, but when I told my story to assistant coach Mike Bevis, he promised to help me and convinced head coach Jack Parker that they could make an exception for me and I was able to play number 97.

Mike Bevis understood my feelings well – his twin brother worked as a scout for the Los Angeles Kings and on September 11, 2001, he was on one of the planes that were hijacked by terrorists and sent to the World Trade Center.

That day, my father was also near this shopping center – he was riding the subway to his office, he had one stop left and he saw that the plane crashed into the tower. This is a very sad day – our family has lost many close friends, and dad took a break from work and moved to Massachusetts.

– What is it like to live in such a huge family? (In addition to Timmy and another brother who died shortly after birth, Matt has seven siblings – Sports.ru).

– This is a lot of fun. You are never alone, always in a crowd, always fighting with someone, standing up for someone, chatting with someone. When we sat down to eat together, it was like lunch in the school cafeteria – everyone was constantly shouting and fooling around. There were so many of us that every weekend we had family basketball or video game tournaments. If we wanted to do some other sport, our parents helped us with this, if we needed to improve some school subject, they sat down with us for lessons – I don’t know how they had enough time, but I thank them very much.

– In the Eastern Junior League you played with Nikita Kashirsky, Alexander Ovechkin’s best friend.

– Oh, really, I forgot about that. Where is he now?

– Yes, about the same – in the East Coast League, and last season was a player-coach in Scotland. How do you remember him?

– In the junior league, Nikita played excellently, everything was at an excellent level – skating, throwing. We went out in one link and scored fifty points in a season. I have no idea what prevented him from breaking into the NHL. I remember he dreamed about it very much.

– Why did you choose Boston University?

– And they were the only ones who gave me a chance. I actually used to be a forward, but in order to gain a foothold in the Boston team, I switched to playing defense. When I graduated from high school, I sent a letter and called every team in the US, just every one, but no one answered me – no one cared about me. Then I went to the eastern junior league, showed good performance there, and still got a chance to get into Boston University. I was well aware that hockey is not for life, and it is more important for me to get a good education.

– Was it difficult to combine studies and hockey?

– No, on the contrary, I was glad that I was moving towards my goal – both when I was sitting in the reading room and when I went out onto the ice. I think four years at university are the best years of my life. I got my bachelor’s degree, met all my closest friends there, won a championship, and in 2009 won the NCAA Hockey Player of the Year award. The last game in which we won the championship, and all my relatives were sitting in the stands, is the most vivid memory of the university. We’ve been at this for so long – with my younger brother Kevin, who went to the same university and played in our forward team, and my other partners: Colin Wilson, Kevin Shattenkirk, Chris Higgins, Nick Bonino. I was the oldest player on the team and captained Boston during the championship season.

– Do you remember your NHL dedication when you joined the Rangers?

– Yes, it was in Tampa, at the Ocean Prime restaurant. We had dinner there with the whole team, there was delicious food and a lot of drinks, and I had to pay for everyone. The account turned out to be relatively small, but I still didn’t have that much money on my card. Chris Drury paid for me and when I got home I had to write him a check, but I couldn’t afford that either. But it was still fun. My childhood dream was to get into the NHL, because in the area where I grew up, everyone just raved about hockey after the Islanders won the Stanley Cup four times in a row, so even the lack of money did not spoil my first weeks in the NHL.

– Did the lack of money in Atlanta spoil your first weeks in the KHL?

– No, everything is ok. Nothing distracts me from the fight for a place in the playoffs.

– After your debut season in the NHL, you went with Team USA to the World Championship. Interesting experience?

– A very unusual and disturbing experience, I would say. We played our first game against Germany at the football stadium in Gelsenkirchen. It was indescribable. At that match, the world hockey attendance record was broken. When we got on the ice, we were booed, but for the first time in my life I liked it – never before had eighty thousand people booed me. The fans cheered in a completely different way than in America – very amicably and passionately. This situation energized me perfectly, then, it seems, I became one of the best scorers of the national team, but as a team, we, alas, failed.

– Is it true that Alexey Nikiforov was your first coach?

– He is not the first, one of the first, but the most important. In Lithuania, Nikiforov trained Zubrus and Kasparaitis, and in Long Island – me, Mike Komisarek, Chris Higgins, Eric Nystrom, the same Ryan Veske. Alexei studied in Moscow at the Tarasov coaching school and in the summer many Russian hockey players came to Long Island to see him – for example, at the age of ten I found myself on the same ice with Alexei Zhamnov, who is now the general manager of my Atlant.

I owe all my hockey skills to Nikiforov. When I first saw him, he didn’t speak English very well and just skated around the ice. I told my dad that I didn’t understand this coach, to which my father replied: “Just do the same as him. Follow him.” I did just that – thanks to Nikiforov, I got hockey thinking, I added in general in all aspects. I know he is very happy that I came to play in Russia. Every summer we gather in Long Island with the old company – Weske, Andersen, Higgins and other our peers whom Nikiforov raised.

– What do you miss the most while living in Russia?

– For family, friends and of course Chipotle – this is a Mexican restaurant. When I land in America, the first thing I will do is rush there.

82 thousand in the Los Angeles Derby – a new MLS record. And Messi has not arrived yet – About the spirit of the times – Blogs

You can collect 110 thousand.

The 20th Los Angeles Derby lived up to its name, El Trafico. A continuous flow of people was both at the stadium and at the entrances to the city.

82 110 fans watched as Barça’s graduate Riki Puig made the result: first he gave a goal, and then scored the winner. LA Galaxy beat Los Angeles 2-1, and Puig seemed to have returned home (the average attendance at Camp Nou last season was just over 83,000).

Galaxy fans have a rare reason to rejoice this season: only the fourth victory in 20 rounds, the team is in the penultimate 13th place in the Western Conference.

Defending champions Los Angeles, by contrast, are battling for second place with Seattle and trying to catch up with St. Louis, unexpectedly leading MLS rookie in the West.

Played at the stadium that hosted the 1994 World Cup final

The Los Angeles Derby was supposed to open the season in February, but due to bad weather the game was postponed to the summer. The date was chosen as a landmark – the Independence Day of the United States.

Galaxy’s native stadium can accommodate 27,000 spectators, but such a modest figure did not correspond to the scale of the match. Record attendance was made possible by the fact that the derby was moved to the Rose Bowl, which is located in the Los Angeles suburb of Pasadena.

Usually the University of California American football team plays here, but the arena is known to the general public for another reason: it hosted the World Cup-1994, including the semi-final, third place match and final. The tragic miss of Roberto Baggio in the post-match penalty shootout happened here.

The Rose Bowl is an iconic stadium: just over 100 years old, it hosted the 1932 and 1984 Olympics, the 1999 Women’s World Cup (including the final), 5 Super Bowls, college football finals, and an important traditional Rose Bowl match.

The 1973 Rose Bowl gathered 106,869 American football fans here. Most likely, this is the eternal record of the arena. The modern configuration of the stadium seats 92,542 spectators – the 16th largest stadium in the world, and only 11th in the US and 10th in the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association – traditionally gathers the most spectators in the States).

“Exciting atmosphere,” Galaxy head coach Greg Vanni shared his impressions. “It’s incredible to be back in a packed Rose Bowl and take a moment to reflect on how far the MLS has come since we launched it in 1996.”

Los Angeles Colleague Steve Cerandolo is also delighted: “It was like a playoff game and a game that is important not only for the 22 players on the field, but for the 82,000 people here and around Los Angeles. Fantastic atmosphere.”

Messi’s arrival could break a new attendance record. But for this, you also need to transfer the match to another stadium

The previous MLS attendance record lasted only a little over a year: Galaxy then played away in Charlotte. These two games have pushed forward the achievements of Atlanta, which traditionally leads in average attendance in the league.

Interestingly, only one playoff game made it to the top 5: the 2018 final, in which Atlanta won the title for the first and so far the last time. That team was coached by Gerardo Martino, the new coach of Messi and Busquets at Inter Miami.

Even before the arrival of Leo, MLS was attracting more and more fans. The Daily Mirror writes that over the past year, the average attendance of Inter Miami increased by 32.3%, the growth of San Jose – 29.2%, New York City – 24.1%, Orlando City 14.7%, Cincinnati 12.5%, Dallas 11.7%, New England Revolution 10.1%.

In the league’s top 3 in terms of average attendance this season, the usual leaders are Atlanta (45,000), Charlotte (33,000) and Seattle (about 32,000).

Messi will definitely become the catalyst for a new explosive growth.