What Is Going on With the California Redwoods?

The California Redwoods are off and running with their worst season in their PLL existence. Keeping things transparent, the Redwoods are one of my least favorite teams. When the league announced its initial six teams, all of my least favorite people decided to side with #RollWoods. The team has left a sour taste in my mouth since day one, but that opinion affects this article in no way, shape, or form.

The team currently boasts a 1-4 record and sits at the bottom of the league. Unlike the Waterdogs, all of the Redwoods’ losses are tough, outside of their Week 1 one-goal loss to Carolina. A 15-20 loss to the Atlas, followed up by an 8-13 loss to the Outlaws, and an 8-15 loss this past weekend just continue the downward trend of this team. Their 9-7 win against the Cannons remains their only win of the season. So what exactly is going on with this squad?

The defense isn’t the outright issue as the team is allowing 13 goals per game, which is pretty typical in this league. The offense is where the problems really begin, as the unit is only producing a little over 10 goals per game. The roster makeup makes it difficult for this team to succeed to begin with. A solid attack unit of Pannell, Berg, Garnsey, and Chris Gray means nothing with a lack of midfield presence. The average age of their midfield line is 25. Is age everything? No. But all of these guys are still very new to the professional game and have not been handed the tools to succeed yet.

Which brings me to my main concern: the coaching. I’m not sure this is a PLL-caliber coaching staff. With a 24-25 franchise record, this team is hovering around .500 and has not come close to the expectations they set in the first year of the league by making the championship game. The California Redwoods just feel behind everyone else when it comes to running an offense, and that is very apparent when watching the game. There is no flow, nor is there any player looking to take charge from the midfield.

This falls back on coaching to me, as the league has shown us over the years that you need good coaches to succeed. Bates has evolved the Archers to championship heights, while Tierney has brought the Waterdogs to the bottom of the barrel with the same roster that made consecutive championship appearances. Would the PLL fire a coach due to performance? I don’t think so. But it is very apparent that this team is not going anywhere unless they change something up. The Atlas did this two years prior and were judged for it in the moment, but they now have one of the most cohesive units in the league.

The Redwoods really need a shake-up if they ever hope to secure a PLL championship. The current trajectory shows a team struggling to find its identity and unable to leverage its talent effectively. Unless significant changes are made, the Redwoods will remain stuck in mediocrity, far from the glory they once glimpsed in the league’s inaugural season.