Chicago Machine will kick off the 2018 club season with the Pro-Elite Challenge this weekend in Denver, CO. (Tournament Details: http://play.usaultimate.org/events/TCT-Pro-Elite-Challenge-2018)
Machine's first opponent of the season will be Oakland Guerrilla, who wasted no time taking to Twitter to commence the trash talk. The pool also features games against Philadelphia Patrol and Washington DC Truck Stop.
Full Schedule: http://play.usaultimate.org/events/TCT-Pro-Elite-Challenge-2018/schedule/Men/Club-Men/
Ultiworld will be on-site recording tape delayed footage of select PEC games. Though Machine is not slated to be filmed as of yet, if they advance into bracket play, it is possible they may be recorded on Sunday, or live streamed via USA Ultimate’s coverage of the finals.
Machine will be sending a roster of 21 players along with coach Andy Neilsen. Five players will be missing due to various reasons (Pawel Janas and Jack Shey will be missing Saturday due to their commitment as captains of the Chicago Wildfire, Ross Barker and Nate Goff will be missing both days, and Kurt Gibson will be in attendance, but competing with Austin Doublewide as a pre-requisite for his eligibility to play with Doublewide at the World Championships later this month).
To follow along for live updates: http://twitter.com/machineultimate
Check back after the tournament for a recap, highlight video, and much more throughout the season.