North American Rugby Database

Report

Old Glory DC host the Chicago Hounds at George Mason University to mark the opening game of Round 10 of the 2026 MLR season.

The Chicago Hounds remain undefeated through their 8 games of the 2026 season so far, and have already locked up a playoff spot, home field advantage, AND the number 1 seeding, so are just playing for that 10-0 record now. Last week, they demolished the 2nd placed (at the time) Seattle Seawolves by a score of 57-17, recording the largest margin of victory in team history. On the other hand, the hosting Old Glory DC are fighting for survival, currently sat in 5th just a point outside of the playoff places, but suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of the California Legion in Sacramento last week which really highlighted the struggles that the Flags have in offence. It will be a huge ask against arguably the most dominant team that MLR has ever seen, but can they shock everyone?

It was the visitors that opened the scoring, as Nathan den Hoedt crossed for his second on the year after 6 minutes. The Hounds were on top in the early game with the lion’s share of both territory and possession but uncharacteristically for them this season, they struggled to convert their red-zone entries. Ironically, this was something that Old Glory DC have suffered from this year, but had no issues with today. John Rizzo hit back for the Flags for his 5th of the season to get DC on the board, and doubled up for the brace just after the first hydration break and following a yellow card to Nathan den Hoedt for repeat infringements. The hosts kept up the pressure, camping in the Hounds half until Jason Robertson found a bit of space out wide before feeding Cory Daniel for an easy finish to extend DC’s lead, now up 19-7 after Robertson added the extras. The Chicago Hounds would get the last laugh of the half however, after DC received a yellow card of their own for a dangerous tackle within their own 22. The Hounds kicked for touch and set up a rolling maul on the ensuing lineout from which Theo Fourie was able to just about ground his 8th try of the season. The teams headed to the break with Old Glory DC leading 19-14 at home.

Old Glory DC started the second half exactly how they played much of the first half. Finding themselves in the Hounds 22 with a lineout, DC set up a rolling maul and Kirby Myhill was able to break free to secure the try BP for the hosts. Although Theo Fourie would bag his 9th of the season for the Hounds in much the same manner, everything was going DC’s way. Kickoff mistakes from Chicago and handling errors put DC in good field position and Jason Robertson was able to add a pair of penalties to extend the DC lead to 32-19 around the second hydration break. Following the hydration break the visiting Hounds started to get things together and as they did, the DC players started looking more and more exhausted. Mason Flesch would run a superb line from short range to get the scoreboard moving in the right direction, and would repeat it about 7 minutes later right under the posts to grab his brace, and Hilsenbeck added the conversion for both to give the Hounds a narrow 32-33 lead with 8 minutes to play. The final 8 minutes was littered with team challenges as teams tried everything they could to maintain or regain possession. Old Glory won a penalty to establish a good attacking platform, but Jason Robertson failed to find touch which allowed the Hounds to clear their lines but on the subsequent possession, a knock on from Cory Daniel gave the ball back to Chicago. The possession changed again twice the final two minutes but DC found themselves with a lineout just inside the Hounds half, and an incredible passage of play followed. Phase after phase of clean play saw DC gain slow progress until Semi Kunatani barrelled through half a dozen defenders, but a knock on about 10m out sealed the game. A nailbiting 32-33 victory for the Chicago Hounds that could well be the game of the 2026 season.

Although Old Glory DC will be disappointed not to grab the win and hand the Hounds their first loss, but they do pick up a pair of bonus points to jump into the playoff spots ahead of their rivals the New England Free Jacks. The Hounds just about escape with their undefeated record intact, and look towards their final game of the regular season against the New England Free Jacks.