Day: March 8, 2025

2025 – RD 4: Seattle Seawolves v New England Free Jacks

The Seattle Seawolves host the New England Free Jacks at Starfire Stadium in a Cross-Conference clash, a rematch of the 2024 Championship Game which the Free Jacks won 11-20 in San Diego. Both sides are looking to bounce back, with the 0-2 Seawolves suffering a close defeat at the hands of the Houston SaberCats last week, and the Free Jacks battered and bruised after a shock 36-7 defeat in Chicago. These teams have met 6 times in the past, with the Free Jacks holding a 4-2 series lead including last season’s final. As well as a rematch of the 2024 Championship Game, the winner of this game will also claim the ‘Coffee Cup’, an annual trophy awarded to the winner of the famous Starbucks v Dunkin’ rivalry.

Unlike the previous meeting between these two sides, on this occasion the Seattle Seawolves would get revenge for their 2024 Final defeat, taking a 27-24 victory in front of their crowd for their 2025 Home Opener thanks to a late score by Malacchi Esdale in his Seattle debut and his first MLR game since 2020! The reigning Champions started strong, with 2 tries and a 0-14 lead after 10 minutes, and come away with a losing BP but they were shut out in the second half and didn’t secure the try BP, falling to 1-2 on the season, while the Seattle Seawolves move into the win column for the first time in 2025, securing the Try Bonus Point for the full 5pts in the standings despite an off day from the tee, going just 1/7.

2025 – RD 4: San Diego Legion v Rugby FC LA

The San Diego Legion host Rugby FC LA in a Western Conference Clash for the Cali Cup! The San Diego Legion return from their Eastern road trip with a pair of victories, and sit at the top of the league with a 3-0 record. Rugby FC LA are fresh off a bye week and are looking to spoil the party at Torero Stadium! These sides have only met twice in the past, both last season. The Legion hold a 2-0 series lead, with the most recent match up being a 19-27 bonus point win for the Legion in LA.

Rugby FC LA held a 10-14 lead at half time, but the Legion came out of the sheds firing, with captain Brad Wilkin scoring almost immediately to give the hosts the lead. LA hit back at their California rivals, with a Gonzalo Bertranou score under 5 minutes later to restore the 4pt gap. roughyl 10 minutes later, however, the Legion were awarded a penalty try to swing the pendulum back over to the Legion and, to make matters worse for LA, Tim Anstee was shown a second yellow card, earning him a red card and RFCLA would be down to 14 men for 20 minutes, now trailing 24-21 entering the final quarter.

Ethan Grayson would try to extend that lead through the boot but was unsuccessful, but when LA forward Semi Kunatani was shown a yellow to further reduce them to 13 men, Shilo Klein was able to add another score for the Legion, now ahead by 10 with 15 minutes to play. LA would hit back through Ed Timpson to lock up the Try Bonus Point, but when Ryan James dotted it down for the Legion’s 5th of the game, it was just too much for LA. They attempted a last minute penalty to try and salvage a losing bonus point and come away from Torero with 2pts, but it wasn’t to be. The San Diego Legion move to 4-0 on the season, the only undefeated team remaining in MLR in 2025, and successfully defend the Cali Cup.

2025 – RD 4: Utah Warriors v Houston SaberCats

The Utah Warriors host the Houston SaberCats in a Western Conference Clash at Zion’s Bank Stadium! The Utah Warriors are flying high after a convincing 55-21 victory over the NOLA Gold, and are looking to go 3-0 for the first time in their history. The Houston SaberCats are also coming off a victory, having squeaked past the Seattle Seawolves with a 24-21 win, and sit at 2-1. These two MLR founding teams have met 12 times prior to this game, and split the series 6-6 heading into this game. Their last meeting saw the SaberCats walk away with a 24-29 victory, also at Zion’s Bank.

This is the 100th MLR game played by the Houston SaberCats, and they celebrated by showing the rest of the league that the Utah Warriors are mortal after all, with a convincing 17-37 victory on the road to claim a bonus point victory over a Utah side that were flying high!

2025 – RD 4: Old Glory DC v Anthem RC

Old Glory DC host Anthem Rugby Carolina at the Maryland Soccerplex in an Eastern Conference clash, with both sides looking to kick their seasons into gear. The hosts are coming off a 10-26 defeat at the hands of the San Diego Legion, while Anthem RC are still looking for their first franchise victory, and came closer than ever last week, falling 31-32 to the Miami Sharks.

These sides have met twice in the past with the Flags enjoying a 2-0 series lead. The most recent meeting was a 47-29 Old Glory victory in Round 14 of the 2024 season.