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.
