​After taking down the California Redwoods in Chicago, the Philadelphia Waterdogs claim the top spot in this week’s power rankings behind CJ Kirst’s brilliance.Right behind them: the Maryland Whipsnakes, who reminded everyone why they’re still very much a championship contender with a win over the Carolina Chaos.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAnd the Boston Cannons have burst onto the scene as the league’s hottest team, making the Eastern Conference that much more formidable.Power rankings heading into Fairfield Weekend:It’s starting to feel like the Waterdogs are on a similar trajectory to last year’s Atlas team after a 15-13 win over the Redwoods on Friday.Two MVP candidates at attack? Check.Kirst and Michael Sowers are tied for second in the league in points (22), just like how New York attackers Connor Shellenberger (46) and Jeff Teat (40) finished in the top three in points in 2025.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementA blossoming star rookie midfielder? Check.Last season, New York’s Matt Traynor averaged 2.25 points per game and proved to be a versatile threat attacking behind the cage and up top. This year, Josh Yago has burst onto the scene with 2.25 points per game through four games, using a similar skill set to Traynor’s to impact the game for the Waterdogs.Having Gavin Adler on the roster? Check.Adler was named the 2025 Defensive Player of the Year after causing havoc all season for the Atlas and dictating most of his matchups with physicality and intensity. The Waterdogs signed Adler this offseason, and though he’s been banged up, he’s starting to look like the lockdown defender Philly knew it was getting.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWill the Waterdogs win it all like the Atlas did last season? To be determined. But the similarities between these two teams are undeniable.Next game: Saturday, July 18 vs. Utah Archers (4:30 p.m. ET; ESPN+)Maryland got back to its winning ways Saturday, dominating the Chaos in a 17-10 victory that rarely felt competitive.It was a welcome offensive onslaught for the Whipsnakes after they scored just seven goals against the Outlaws in their previous contest.The difference between this game and the last was Maryland’s commitment to getting the ball behind the net. With high-IQ attackers Rob Pannell, TJ Malone and Joey Spallina, it’s always been a focus to run the offense through them behind the cage, but the Whips doubled down on their efforts against Carolina.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe result? The three attackmen had their most combined touches in any game this season (127) and tied a season high for combined points (13).The @PLLWhipsnakes redoubled their commitment to getting the ball behind the net on Saturday.The result?- Most combined attack touches this season (127)- Tied season-high combined attack points (13)- Season high in points for TJ Malone (6) pic.twitter.com/Aq69uU8wVC— Adam Lamberti (@atlamberti) July 13, 2026The only PLL squad th