Though no date has been set for the beginning of the 2020 Major League Lacrosse season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, several coaches expressed to US Lacrosse Magazine prior to the collegiate draft that a July 4 start could be feasible.

Through the end of this week, US Lacrosse Magazine will release previews for each of the six teams, going alphabetically by city. Check back each day to learn about another team.

These previews appeared in the May/June edition of US Lacrosse Magazine. Don't get the mag? Subscribe today.

MLL Team Previews

Boston Cannons
Chesapeake Bayhawks
Connecticut Hammerheads
Denver Outlaws
New York Lizards
Philadelphia Barrage

Philadelphia Barrage

2019 regular season record: 8-8 (as Atlanta Blaze)​
Last seen: Lost in MLL semifinals

MVP Watch
Tommy Palasek

Barrage head coach Spencer Ford called Palasek one of the most loyal players he’s ever worked with, and after the summer of 2019, Palasek also proved he’s one of the best players in the league. A 2019 All-Star, Palasek set franchise records for assists (35) and points (63) in a season. 

Those totals lead the Blaze, but his assists mark led the entire league and his points total tied Rob Pannell for second in the league. Only 2019 MLL MVP Lyle Thompson had more points (73).

Under the Radar
Tim Barber

Entering his fifth year in Major League Lacrosse, Barber is not known as a player who fills up the stat sheet. His season-high point total came in 2017 when he scored 12 points as a member of the Denver Outlaws and Florida Launch.

Ford, however, noted that Barber, who won an MLL championship during his rookie season, is known as a great locker room guy. He will be expected to help lead a relatively young group. He also said that Barber can score goals — he had 28 goals and 43 points as a senior at Syracuse — and will have an expanded role on the field this summer.

Losses

Randy Staats (A), Bryan Cole (M), T.J. Comizio (M), Colton Jackson (M), Christian Mazzone (M)

Additions

Tim Barber (M), Kevin Crowley (M), Mark Evanchick (D), Frank Krug (LSM), Kyle Marr (A), Ryan MacSpadyen (M), Jon Mazza (M), Carlson Milikin (M), Colin Minicus (A), Jeremy Noble (M), P.T. Ricci (LSM), Justin Schwenk (FO), Andrew Streilein​ (A), James Wittmeyer (A),

Burning question
Who plays the midfield?

The Atlanta Blaze roster was assigned to the Barrage, and that offense was the highest scoring in the league. The team returns Tommy Palasek, Shayne Jackson, Brendan Sunday and Mark Matthews, but who will play in the midfield? The team added Tim Barber in a trade, and Matthews will likely run out of the box some, as could Palasek or Sunday, but more depth is needed.

Philly addressed some of those needs in the College Draft, adding Jon Mazza, who signed. Draftees in the midfield who have yet to sign include Connor Fletcher (Cornell), Brendan Hoffman (Williams) and Adam Goldner (Penn).

Jeremy Noble came over in free agency. Ryan MacSpadyen comes over from the Georgia Swarm of the NLL.