BROOKLYN, NY — Whether you want to thank the team for building some confidence through their mid-season success or pay tribute to the team’s brand new fans who kept the Barclays Center LOUD during the final 10 outs of the night…

… The New York Yankees stormed with all its might into Brooklyn, New York.

And when Friday night’s game came to a close, they were coming off a HUGE win in their hometown.

RELATED: The New York Mavericks score a convincing three-point win and a surprise victory against the Kansas City Outlaws in their hometown debut

After earning just two trips in their first five games and starting the year as a team with just 2 of 25 wins, New York has now secured two qualifying trips in three of their last four games.

More importantly for the expansion unit, it won three of its final four games heading into Saturday’s finale while its run totals and point totals continued to rise.

Head Coach Kody Lostroh and his gang made a statement on the first night when the 260.25-0 victory on Friday night over Cassio Dias and the Kansas City Outlaws was the highest scoring game in franchise history and the first time the Mavericks made 3 out of 5 points.

“We’re super excited to be here. We’ve planned everything and prepared everything we’ve been through this week. Just being here and doing all the PR stuff that goes with it,” Lostroh said.

“But now it’s really just getting started. That’s what it’s all about. That’s what these guys work for every day of their lives. So the fact that it’s finally here is the perfect time.”

New York has been a sports stronghold for decades.

And when you’re in the middle of one of the biggest media markets in the world, you’ll witness some of the brightest minds in the entertainment industry – not just the PBR Camping World Team Series tour.

With an official season record of 3-5 and now 3-1 in their last four games, they didn’t need much time to adjust to the big stage. What did take some time was bonding in the stands, in the locker room and on travel days. But they now seem to be getting a handle on that front as well.

“These guys are still getting to know each other. Some know each other, some don’t, but the culture has to be exactly our motto: Concrete Cowboys,” Lostroh said.

“Be tough. Stay tough. Put in the work – not just physically, but mentally. That’s what this world needs and what this sport needs: a tough man who can get the job done.”

The name and motto are more than fitting, given the team’s success in their first opportunity to impress in the Concrete Jungle. And so are the results now that things are getting rolling.

“Confidence is contagious. As the wins roll in and morale rises, their belief in themselves gets stronger each time and we’ll continue to work on that this weekend.”

Lostroh had dozens of different riders to choose from at the 2024 PBR Teams Expansion Draft and found guys who fit that bill: tough, combative guys. But the ability to avoid injury in bull riding overall often depends more on luck than skill.

There will be bumps and bruises, and the way they handle them has made all the difference for New York.

Fortunately for the Mavericks, the trend is going in the right direction in this regard as well.

“The injuries have hit us hard and fast, but we can’t complain because that’s part of the sport. The bottom line is that these guys have improved and give it their all every time,” said Skip.

“There’s no plan B, is there? You have to be tough and get through it, and that’s exactly what they’re doing.”

Vitor Losnake, Braidy Randolph, Marco Rizzo … the list of sick cowboys goes on.

But the team’s first-round draft pick was able to return from an upper-body injury sustained during preseason training. (3rd place overall) from the PBR Teams New Rider Draft 2024 in spring in Hudson Bolton I couldn’t have chosen a better time to return.

Back in a BIG way.

“Hudson broke his shoulder blade the day after our training camp ended. That’s the only reason he wasn’t there. But he was just declared healthy and was allowed to practice a few times on the Bulls,” Lostroh added.

“We drew a good bull in the first round that suited him well for his first event as an 18-year-old boy on the big stage. It’s time to break him in.”

Get on board and enjoy a high-quality 86-point journey Hit or miss Making his debut for the PBR teams, the youngster could be a huge help to the Mavericks in their hoped-for climb up the standings. After being in 10th place for most of the 2024 season, New York is in 9th place as of Saturday morning.

Although we have seen some late season spells in the past that have proven to be quite beneficial (see the 2022 champion Nashville Stampedeor the electric cars from last autumn Missouri Thunder Run), the Mavericks are only eight games into their first season and still have plenty of blank pages to write their own Cinderella fairytale.

However, they won’t be competing with anyone other than the men in their locker room. It starts and ends with the guys rocking navy blue and red.

“We’re not comparing ourselves here. Everyone has their problems. Ultimately, our job is to ride five bulls every time we go out there. That’s what we’re focused on. What happens to the other teams is their business. We wish them all the best, but we’re in our own lane here,” Lostroh concluded.

“The ultimate success is 10 bulls ridden here. That’s what we want to achieve every time here. Of course, a win is a win. We’ll take them however we can get them. But ultimately that’s our goal – to ride every bull, every time.”

The Mavericks are now preparing for a head-to-head duel with the MVP favorite. Johannes Crimber (now 9 out of 10 in his rookie team season) and his Freedom in Florida Saturday night.

After spoiling the Freedom’s first home game last weekend in Sunrise, Florida, we expect Crimber and Co. to do their best to not only return the “favor” from the weekend before, but also build on their own victory on Friday night, a 174.5-86 victory over the Arizona Ridge Riders.

Fans can stay tuned to PBR.com, @PBR social media channels, and Merit Street to see all of the camaraderie-filled action from this season’s PBR Camping World Team Series! And be sure to tune in to the second night of PBR Teams: Maverick Days on Saturday, August 10, starting at 8 p.m. on Merit Street.

Photo courtesy of Bull Stock Media