Ranked 10thIronmenThe longest running professional team in existence, the LA Ironmen, had a bit of a rough run in the prelims at the last NXL event in Philly, losing three games and taking 14th place. But considering this is another rebuilding year, the 2019 season has not been a disaster as they made Sunday at the first two events. But it’s been over ten years since the team has won a tournament and ranked 10th overall is not where they want to be three events in with two to go, but Coach Todd Martinez’s roster is filled mostly with emerging talent, players who are hungry to make a name for themselves and a few veterans who have proved capable of winning big games. nThey’ll be getting Damien Ryan back, who could immediately help in the center on this layout if he can summon the game that saw him become an Allstar not too long ago. nThomas Kim has seen action on the Dside and in the center, and his high paintball IQ should benefit the squad in the tournaments to come.nLJ Parrish is an aggressive missile who typically doesn’t have problems getting to the key spots and is starting to improve his survivability.nCorey Hall has excelled in the past in low body situations and is looking to add more aggression to his list of attributes as he tries to earn more spins.nVeteran Kyle Spicka is the team’s heavy weaponry on the snake side. He’s one of the best snake players in the league and has been the team’s leading killer three of their past four events.nAlan Goulding was lights out in Texas where he led the team in kills. The first Dutch pro player, he’s playing the best paintball of his career.So is Trevor Resar, whose timing is his best attribute and he’s one of the Ironmen’s best closers who loves brutalizing opponents and dropping the hammer to finish points.nAl Fernandez is the longest tenured player on the squad and has shown his creativity during big points in the past. Dan Norcross is also healthy and looking to earn spins.Overall, despite their speed bump at the last event, the Ironmen have a good chance getting deep in to Sunday at the NXL Chicago Open if they can emerge from the tough bracket they’re in with Heat, Dynasty, DMG and Elevation.