Chicago Machine - 2016 US Open Preview

Machine is set to kick off the 2016 season this weekend at the US Open in Kingston, RI. The US Open is a four day tournament, running from Friday (7/1) through Monday (7/4), and features several of the top US and International teams. The tournament is run in conjunction with the USA Ultimate convention, a series of speakers and seminars on a variety of ultimate related topics from leading figures across the US.

More information on the tournament and convention can be found at http://play.usaultimate.org/events/US-Open-Ultimate-Championships-2016/

Machine will complete pool play against Seattle Sockeye, Madison Club, Florida United, Ki.e (Colombia), and General Strike (Winnipeg) over two days before moving onto bracket play.

Full Game Schedule: http://play.usaultimate.org/events/US-Open-Ultimate-Championships-2016/schedule/Men/Club-Men/

Select games will be live streamed via ESPN3 – Machine is not currently slated to appear on the broadcast schedule unless in semi-finals or beyond.

Machine will be sending a smaller roster of 19 players, with several players missing for non-injury related reasons (Ron Kubalanza, Alex Evangelides, Mike Schwenk, Nick Prozorovsky, Brett Kolinek, Stephan Mance, and Joshua Stevens-Stein). Despite the smaller squad, there will be plenty of time for bonding, as the team will be residing in a 10 room dorm suite at the University of Rhode Island campus, a short drive from the Atlantic coast. Machine will also be joined for the first time this season by out of city players Travis Carpenter (Indianapolis, IN), Bob Liu (Raleigh, NC), and Goose Helton/ Brett Matzuka (returning from the World Championships in London as gold medal winning members of Team USA).

 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.

Ultimate Frisbee - Bad Lip Reading (Video)

This has been on a hard drive for almost two years... was lost to crashes more than once... but a random back-up was found, and now it we share it with you: 

Note: Some language may not be suitable for children.

Support Chicago Machine by Supporting the Chicago Wildfire!

Machine fans,

Chicago's professional ultimate team, the Chicago Wildfire, are trying to make history this Saturday, May 28th at 3:00pm when they play the Indianapolis AlleyCats. The goal is to have the largest crowd in AUDL history, and the game will be part of a cross-sport double-header with the Gary, IN RailCats minor league baseball team. One ticket for BOTH events will be JUST $10.

In addition to having a fun local sports filled Saturday, by buying your tickets with the following code, a portion of your sale will go back to Machine for fundraising for the club season.

To help support two Chicago Ultimate teams, you can buy your tickets online through the following link and unique tracking code:

Website - http://gr1.glitnirticketing.com/grticket/web/gpcaptcha.php
CODE - MACHINE

More info: www.chicago-wildfire.com

P.S. Look how cute Dan William's future baby boy's Machine jersey is...

Tryout Tournament Details & Team Rosters Email (Sent 5/5/16)

Gentlemen,

Thank you for filling out the Chicago men's club tryout registration form. Below are the full details for this weekend's open tryout tournament.

-All subsequent Machine tryouts will be by invite only-

Logstics

• What: Chicago Men's Club Hat Tournament
  • This serves as an open tryout for Beachfront Property, Blackmarket, Haymaker, and Machine
• Where: Washington Park - 5531 S. Martin Luther King Dr. Chicago, 60637
  • There will be a shade tent for registration at the southwest corner cricket/ baseball fields.
• When: Sunday, May 8th, 2016 from 10:00 AM - 3:15 PM
  • Please arrive at 9:15am to allow time to complete registration and warm-up your throws.
  • Registration- Check-in at the registration table to pay the tryout fee, confirm your team assignment, receive your disc, and take a picture so that the team captains can identify you.
  • Machine takes timeliness very seriously. We will be starting promptly at 10:00 AM. Do not be late.

• Payment: We will be requiring all players pay $20 for the tryout entry fee. 
  • In addition to helping cover the field rental costs, you will receive a new Machine Disc. 
  • Please bring EXACTLY $20

Itinerary

• 9:15am - 10:00am
  • Registration/ Throwing
• 10:00am - 10:10am
  • Introductions from Beachfront, Black Market, Haymaker, and Machine
• 10:10am - 10:30am
  • Group Warm-up/ Stretching
• 10:30am - 10:40am
  • Individual Team Drill
• 10:40am - 11:40am
  • Round 1 Games
• 11:50am - 12:50pm
  • Round 2 Games
• 1:00pm - 2:00pm
  • Round 3 Games
• 2:10pm - 3:10pm
  • Round 4 Games
• 3:10pm - 3:15pm
  • Closing remarks

Tryout Team Rosters

• The competition schedule, field assignment, and rosters for each team are included in the link below (rosters are subject to change).
  • There will be 10 teams. 
  • Each team will play 4 games. 
  • Even numbered teams will be white, odd numbered teams will be dark.

TEAM ROSTERS: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/11JbPgRMDjSsxB95CRk9-811N5i6z4KHd8IP8sGc-wdw/edit?usp=sharing 

Please review the tryout team rosters above: 

• If you are listed on a team, but are not going to attend, please let us know AS SOON AS POSSIBLE so we may remove you.
• Conversely, if you are not listed on team, but are going to attend, please let us know AS SOON AS POSSIBLE so we may add you.

What to Bring

• Please bring a white and a dark jersey 
• Please bring water and food (it will not be provided) 
• Please bring anything else you would normally bring to a tournament
• Plan for the weather

What We're Looking For

This tryout format is designed to be both competitive and fun. Play to the best of your capabilities, play hard, and play with respect for everyone else trying out. 

Machine is looking for players who:

• Demonstrate athletic ability on D
  • Denying their man from touching the disc for the duration of the point and/ or generating turnovers
• Play aggressive, no turnover offense
• Support their teammates
• Drive their team to win

-Machine Captains

(Any updates between now and Sunday will be sent via email, and will be posted to the news page on: www.chicago-machine.com)

If you know anyone who has not received this message and is interested in attending, please direct them to the Machine website where they can fill out the registration form.

If you did not receive our previous email sent on 4/26, it can be viewed here.

Tryout Update Email (Sent 4/26/16)

Gentleman,

Thank you for expressing your interest in the Chicago Men's Club Open Tryout Hat Tournament and/or trying out for Chicago Machine. You are receiving this message regardless of what attendance status you indicated on the tryout form. Leadership and representatives from each of Chicago's Open Club teams will be in attendance to evaluate players at the tryout hat tournament on May 8th, where we hope to cultivate a competitive opportunity for Chicago Men's players to showcase their talents. (Machine, Beachfront Property, Black Market, and Haymaker)

If you indicated you will be able to attend the tryout hat tournament, a more thorough email will be going out a few days prior with additional information on what to bring, what to expect, and team assignments. Until then, here are the important details:

• What: Chicago Men's Open Hat Tryout Tournament - 2016
• Where: Washington Park Chicago, IL
• When: Sunday, May 8, 2015 (10:00 AM - 3:00 PM)
• Note: There is a tryout fee of $20. All attendees will receive a new Chicago Machine disc.

If you know of anyone interested in attending who has not previously registered, please instruct them to fill out the tryout interest form.

-All subsequent Machine tryouts will be by invite only (5/15, 5/22)-

For those interested in being considered for Chicago Machine:

2016 Machine Tournament Schedule

• US Open: South Kingston, RI (June 30-July 3)
• Pro-Elite Invite: Aurora, CO (July 30-31)
• Chesapeake Invite: Germantown, MD (August 13-14)
• Regionals: TBD (September 10-11)
• Nationals: Rockford, IL (September 29 - October 2*)
  • * = Must qualify through placement at Regionals

Practices: Machine practices on Saturday and Sunday mornings, and local players are expected to attend "pod" workouts 1-2 nights per week.

Costs: As a disclaimer, interested players should be aware that the cumulative costs of airfare, hotels, rental cars, jerseys, entry fees, and team dues for a club season are all paid out of pocket by the players. 

If you have any questions, please let us know.

Thanks,

2016 Machine Captains

www.chicago-machine.com

Machine Coach Andy Neilsen Returning for 2016 Season

Chicago Machine is excited to announce the return of coach Andy Neilsen for the 2016 season. Neilsen, who previously played and captained for Machine, served his first year as team coach in 2015.

A student of the game, Neilsen co-created and served as an instructor of the CUT Coaching Academy earlier this year. In addition to his focus on strategy and execution, Neilsen is highly regarded for his emphasis on team character and culture development. 

Neilsen will join recently announced captains Cullen Geppert, Kevin Kelly, Ron Kubalanza, and Walden Nelson in bringing back the full leadership core from Machine's 2015 team.

Chicago Machine - 2015 Nationals Highlight Videos

The 2015 Nationals Highlight Videos are up:

• Regular version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EC8JJWhr_k

• Extended version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7M-1_bupf38

If you are interested in trying out for Machine in 2016, please complete our tryout registration form here: http://www.chicago-machine.com/tryout-form-2016

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter at:

www.facebook.com/MachineUltimate

www.twitter.com/MachineUltimate

Machine Announces 2016 Captains

Machine has voted on captains for the upcoming season, and is excited to announce that all four captains from 2015 will be returning to their leadership posts in 2016!

2016 Captains:

• Cullen Geppert
• Kevin Kelly
• Ron Kubalanza
• Walden Nelson

While these four will serve as captains, Machine utilizes a network of leaders to handle different roles and tasks that are required over the course of the season. We look forward to more announcements as the season approaches.

Recap: Machine Finishes Tied for 3rd at USAU Club Nationals

Machine had a roller coaster weekend in Frisco, TX at the 2015 USAU National Championship tournament.

On Thursday, Machine came out strong against a familiar opponent in Madison Club, going up 8-6 to take half. Despite receiving the disc out of half, Machine would falter down the stretch, allowing Madison to creep back into the game. A trend that would continue through the entirety of the day saw Machine's D-Line being able to generate breaks in the first half, but unable to force turns or apply pressure in the second half. Madison capitalized as Machine's O repeatedly threw into the Madison zone, and came roaring back to win 14-13. (Ultiworld's Round 1 Recap)

While the first round loss was frustrating, Machine continued to focus on building consistency, so that they would be playing their best ultimate of the season by Friday morning's elimination bracket. This mantra was put into full affect in the first half against their second opponent, Philadelphia's Patrol. Machine once again grabbed an 8-6 halftime lead, and sought to apply more defensive pressure in the second half than in their game with Madison. The idea was easier in theory than in practice, with Patrol's offense hitting layers well in the second half, and finding open receivers for mid range away shots into the end zone. As the Patrol offense began to click, execution errors began to plague the Machine O-line, and in similar fashion to the first game of the day, Patrol closed the gap and took the game on universe 15-14. (Ultiworld's Round 2 Recap)

A third round bye could not have come any sooner, allowing Machine to clear their minds and replenish food and drink prior to facing off with San Francisco's Revolver. The game carried little significance on tournament outcome, with Revolver already locking 1st in the pool and Machine locking last. Despite that, both teams came out running full rosters in an attempt to make the most of the final opportunity to fine tune their execution before Friday's elimination bracket. Revolver's staunch defense forced some early turnovers, and the Machine D-line saw more offensive reps than normal, as they came in to combat Revolver's zone. Revolver maintained an early lead and expanded it down the stretch to win 9-15. (Ultiworld's Round 4 Recap)

After a team dinner on Thursday night, the team held a meeting to re-group and review the tactical game plan for Friday morning's match-up with Denver's Bravo. While Bravo had won their pool, Machine was confident in their game plan, and fired up after losing a 1 point game to Bravo on Bravo's home turf in Denver earlier in the season.

On Friday, Machine came out very aggressive in their match-up with Bravo, using a steadier wind to their advantage as they pushed the Bravo receivers out. Machine took advantage of hanging hucks, generating 50/50 D's, and patiently working it down on the turn. At half, Machine found themselves in familiar territory, up two breaks. In the second half, Bravo' s D pressure increased, leading to a break. However, unlike day 1, Machine's D was able to break back in the second half, maintaining the arms length lead. The D-Line had a chance to break for the win at 14-12, but could not keep Bravo out the end zone. Receiving up 14-13 with the wind at their back, the Machine O-line benefited from a short field after Bravo received their third TMF of the game on a controversial observer ruling over language. The Machine O patiently swung the disc until they found Bob Liu on the break sideline, who continued for another break throw to AJ Nelson in the end zone. Machine celebrated after defeating the defending National Champions 15-13. (Ultiworld's Recap of Pre-Quarters)

A showcase game for Chicago's mixed team in attendance, UPA, helped fill the gap during the round two bye before Machine began ramping up their energy in anticipation of their quarter final match-up with Raleigh's Ring of Fire.

Ring of Fire had beaten Machine in all 12 match-ups in the team's history, and had knocked Machine out in Pre-Quarters of the 2014 Nationals. Both teams were loud and physical early in the game, both looking to assert themselves en route to a trip to the semi-finals. Two small execution errors near the end zone allowed Ring of Fire to take early command, but the Machine O-line was resilient in their ability to prevent any multi-break runs. Down at half for only the second time in the weekend, Machine had learned all to well on day 1 that first half leads do not mean the game is over. In the second half, Machine's D-line finally found success in slowing up the Ring offense, who had been marching downwind with ease in the first half. Staying aggressive, Machine took big shots on their turn opportunities, and 6'6'' George Hughes ripped a hanging disc out of the sky to help lead to a big upwind break. Stealing control of the game, Machine received tied 14-14 for universe point. The offense moved quickly, getting 15 yards out of the end zone, and repeatedly resetting the disc off the trap sideline to maintain possession. With a chance to score, Goose Helton took an up-line shot to Brett Matzuka prior to a poach defender colliding from the back side. The disc went off of Matzuka's hand and the defender initial did not contest the foul call. After additional discussion, the defender did contest, and neither player opted to go to the observer, instead sending the disc back to Helton. Helton swung the disc, and after a series of short throws, found Bob Liu on the break sideline just out side the end zone. Liu then threw a no-look lefty continuation pass to the end zone for the game winning score. 15-14 (Ultiworld's Quarter's Recap)

Semifinals would not come until Saturday evening at 8:00pm, giving Machine the entire day to relax and prepare before the live streamed game on ESPN3. The day started with a full team brunch prior to a meeting to discuss the strategic game plan for the evening. Players then split up, some watching a movie at a local theatre, others reviewing game film and watching the first Men's semifinal from the hotel on live stream. After crew dinners, the team got to the field complex early to warm up and practice throwing with the stiff headwind. 

Coach Andy Neilsen doing his best Bill Belichick impersonation. 

Machine took the field for player introductions, singing "we rowdy" as the rosters were read. Having seen Revolver three times prior during the season (Revolver leading the series 2-1), both teams were more than familiar with the other's personnel. Under the lights, after receiving the opening pull Machine would falter first with a lead hammer just out of reach and a hanging huck leading to two very quick break scores. From there, both team's settled down, and offenses shined with neither side able to generate breaks. Machine came into half down 7-8, reiterating their experiences coming back from a deficit in their quarterfinal match. After trading to start, Machine was able to generate multiple turns on a point, leading to their first break of the game. Two points later Revolver would break back, before turning the disc back once more. Machine had a chance for a short field break going up wind to bring things to 13-12, but a miscommunication on a swing pass gave the disc back to Revolver, and the boys from San Francisco would ride the momentum to close the door with a final break and 15-11 victory. (Ultiworld's Semi's Recap)

Despite the fun of playing a highlight packed semifinal under the lights, Machine left the field frustrated and wondering what could have been, motivated to return to the lights in 2016 after finishing tied for 3rd in 2015.

After being eliminated in semi-finals, Machine would spend timing bonding the rest of the weekend over drinks, repeatedly chanting stuff about being rowdy, getting stuck in a hotel elevator, indoor go-karting, and watching the Sunday finals.

Machine wants to thank Nemesis and UPA for being very loud and very rowdy during our semi-final game. We would also like to thank all of our friends, family, and fans who supported us over the season. It is more than appreciated!

Note: Jonathan "Wego" Hatcher was on hand all weekend to film the action, so best believe a tournament highlight video will be coming out over the winter.

Ultiworld's Preview of Machine's Pool For USAU Club Nationals

http://ultiworld.com/2015/09/30/revolver-as-usual-the-heavy-favorite-mens-nationals-pool-a-preview/