U.S. Men's National Team wide receiver Ouslet Volcy shows off his skills.

The IFAF World Championships in Panama City, Panama is set to begin opening ceremonies in less than one week and the teams are gearing up to begin their travels. The U.S. men’s and women’s team coaches are taking part in the event for the first time, along with many of the players, so we caught up with them to find out what they thought of the team and event overall.

U.S. Men’s National Team coach Matt Reimel, from Philadelphia, has 12 years of coaching experience including several NFL Flag National Championships under his belt. Being a former player as well as spending the last couple years as National Flag Football and Flag Football World Championship Tour Tournament Director afforded Reimel the opportunity to scout some of the best athletes across the country.

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“This was not an easy task, as there are a ton of high-quality players to choose from,” Reimel said. “We wanted the ‘right’ players that could represent the National Team on and off the field. The chosen players not only demonstrated a high skill set on the field, but also great character off the field. Several of the players on the roster also have international experience, and we wanted some continuity from the 2016 gold medal-winning National Team.

“With the returning gold medalists and the new additions, this team has the potential to be the strongest team ever to compete in the IFAF World Championships,” Reimel said. “We have a short period of time to come together, but I believe the players are up for the task!”

U.S. men's coach Matt Reimel

Games begin Wednesday, with the top-seeded U.S. men's team scheduled to play India at 9 a.m. EDT, followed by another game against Austria at 3:15 p.m. EDT. The women's team, seeded fifth, will play Israel at 10:15 a.m. EDT, and will face Austria at 2 p.m. EDT. The tournament will conclude Aug. 12.  

U.S. women's National Team coach Christopher Lankford has been playing in, coaching and directing flag football events for 25 years. Current coach of Team Adrenaline, his teams have won multiple National Championships and is very well represented on the current U.S. Women’s National Team.

Lankford, a Dallas resident, took a slightly different approach to his player selection.

“Team chemistry is a huge factor, because unlike most countries we ‎don't have the opportunity to practice or play as a team year-round. I like to look for players that can play multiple positions to allow for different alignments. There are many different systems out there and on an international level you have to be able to adjust your personnel game to game.”

U.S. women's coach Christopher Lankford

The U.S. Men’s team has won three straight gold medals, while the women have only placed as high as silver in 2012 and 2014, and fifth in 2016, all under previous coaches. This year, there will be 10 countries competing in the men’s divisions and 11 in the women’s division.

“On the men’s side, we expect to see a lot of talented teams, but Denmark is certainly a team to watch at every IFAF World Championship as they have become our rival over the last few competitions,” Reimel said. “They have been in the finals four of the last six competitions. Austria is also the last to defeat Team USA and Israel played us very tight in the last tournament. Canada and Mexico are also talented and always play us well.”

For Lankford and the U.S. Women’s National Team, the competition historically has been much stiffer and the road to a gold medal seems to run through Panama in more ways than one.

“Well of course we have to be respectful and mindful of Panama, they are defending champions,” Lankford said. “They have a good balance on offense and have the ability to play patient or score quickly. Team Mexico is always challenging because they utilize the whole field and have different wrinkles in their game. Lastly I’d say Austria, nothing fancy, but they win. With us being a new team though, every game is a challenge and we can't and won't take anyone lightly. 

Aside from the tournament itself, this will be both coaches’ first trip to Panama, and each had their own reasons for looking forward to the trip.

“Just hanging and enjoying the people and players around me,” Lankford said. “Seeing a couple sites and some good naps cause of all the rain!”

Reimel is looking forward to enjoying the sites as well. “I am excited to meet people from around the world that share a passion for flag football like I do. I am also looking forward to sharing the experience with our players, representing our country and visiting the Panama Canal.”

Be sure and check back in daily starting Tuesday through championship Sunday to stay up-to-date with the U.S. men’s and women’s national teams.

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