Chicago Hounds

Background & History

The Chicago Hounds were announced as a Major League Rugby expansion side on November 17, 2022 and played in their inaugural MLR season in 2023, with SeatGeek Stadium hosting their home games. The team is co-owned by a small group of investors including majority owner Peter Bernick and part-owners Matt Satchwell and Phil Groves. Also among the ownership group are former Ireland internationals Dave & Rob Kearney, with Dave also representing the team during the 2024 season.

The inaugural Hounds roster was primarily created through an expansion/dispersal draft of players from Austin & LA after the two franchises ceased operations following their disqualification from the 2022 MLR season. Former Austin Head Coach Sam Harris moved to Chicago to take the reigns as Hounds HC, along with many of his AG players. Harris remained in charge of the Hounds from 2023 to the tail end of the 2024 season, when he was let go following a 4 game skid and a playoff spot on the line. Forwards Coach Rob Webber, former England international and Jersey Reds head coach, was promoted to interim head coach and went on a 3 game win streak to lock in the Hounds’ first ever Playoff appearance, where they defeated the higher seeded NOLA Gold, but fell to the New England Free Jacks in a close contest in Quincy, MA. Shortly after Webber‘s promotion to interim HC, English Premiership side Saracens announced that Webber would be joining them as Assistant Forwards Coach for their 2024/25 season, leaving the Chicago Hounds to find his replacement for the 2025 season. They did so on 11th September 2024, when they announced Wallabies legend Chris Latham as their head coach for 2025.


Records & Record Holders

All-Time

Top Scorer: Luke Carty (127pts)
Top Try Scorer: Julian Dominguez & Dylan Fawsitt (14)
Most Appearances: Maclean Jones (33)
Most Starts: Maclean Jones & Billy Meakes (30)
Top Tackler:
Maclean Jones (387)
Top Meter Eater: Billy Meakes (2,238m)

Single Season:

Top Scorer: Adriaan Carelse (77pts) – 2024
Top Try Scorer: Dylan Fawsitt (14) – 2024
Top Tackler: Maclean Jones (199) – 2024
Top Meter Eater: Billy Meakes (1,154m) – 2023

historical performance

2023: 3-0-13 (-170) – 20pts: 5th in Western Conference
2024: 8-1-7 (+67) – 45pts: 3rd in Eastern Conference (Conference Finalist)

All-Time Regular Season Record: 11-1-20
All-Time Playoff Record: 1-1
Championship Series Appearances: 1 (2024)

Head coach & captain

Head Coach:
Captain:

Logo & Jersey

The Chicago Hounds logo features a white Medieval-esque hounds head reminiscent of House Stark from Game of Thrones. This Hounds head sits within a green shield. This shield is in turn within two circles, the outer of which features ‘Chicago Hounds Rugby’ and 4 light blue stars, a nod to the flag of Chicago.

2023-2025

The Chicago Hounds have traditionally played in green and white. Typically green has featured as an accent colour, with some exceptions such as the 2023 St. Patrick’s Day kit which was dark green with a white collar. In 2023, their home jersey was primarily white with gray accents, and their away jersey a black version of the same jersey. For 2024, they switched their primary jersey for a white and green hooped jersey featuring a collar, which was used as a one-off in 2023 and went down extremely well then, as it did for the 2024 season.

 

venue

The Chicago Hounds have played their home games out of Seatgeek Stadium, the 20,000 seater home of the Chicago Fire of the MLS. Seatgeek Stadium was also used as the venue for the 2023 MLR Championship Final between the San Diego Legion and the New England Free Jacks.

Seatgeek Stadium

 

Results

14 - 7

2025 - RD 12: Chicago Hounds v Miami Sharks

41 - 31

2025 - RD 11: Utah Warriors v Chicago Hounds

28 - 22

2025 - RD 10: Seattle Seawolves v Chicago Hounds

28 - 20

2025 - RD 9: Chicago Hounds v Anthem RC

20 - 27

2025 - RD 8: San Diego Legion v Chicago Hounds

18 - 20

2025 - RD 7: NOLA Gold v Chicago Hounds

30 - 26

2025 - RD 5: Chicago Hounds v Old Glory DC

18 - 31

2025 - RD 4: Miami Sharks v Chicago Hounds

36 - 7

2025 - RD 3: Chicago Hounds v New England Free Jacks

31 - 45

2025 - RD 2: Chicago Hounds v Utah Warriors

22 - 25

2025 - RD 1: Houston SaberCats v Chicago Hounds

23 - 17

2024 Eastern Conference Final - New England Free Jacks v Chicago Hounds

21 - 45

2024 Eastern Conference SF 2 - NOLA Gold v Chicago Hounds

38 - 26

2024 - RD 18: Chicago Hounds v Miami Sharks

29 - 38

2024 - RD 17: Anthem RC v Chicago Hounds

22 - 16

2024 - RD 16: Chicago Hounds v San Diego Legion

22 - 20

2024 - RD 15: Dallas Jackals v Chicago Hounds

13 - 25

2024 - RD 13: Chicago Hounds v NOLA Gold

23 - 22

2024 - RD 12: Houston SaberCats v Chicago Hounds

21 - 22

2024 - RD 11: Chicago Hounds v Old Glory DC

20 - 26

2024 - RD 10: New England Free Jacks v Chicago Hounds

54 - 31

2024 - RD 8: Chicago Hounds v Rugby FC LA

59 - 26

2024 - RD 7: Chicago Hounds v Anthem RC

21 - 38

2024 - RD 6: NOLA Gold v Chicago Hounds

26 - 34

2024 - RD 5: Chicago Hounds v Seattle Seawolves

17 - 22

2024 - RD 4: Chicago Hounds v New England Free Jacks

22 - 22

2024 - RD 3: Old Glory DC v Chicago Hounds

29 - 15

2024 - RD 2: Utah Warriors v Chicago Hounds

19 - 23

2024 - RD 1: Miami Sharks v Chicago Hounds

28 - 29

2023 - RD 18: Dallas Jackals v Chicago Hounds

24 - 26

2023 - RD 17: Utah Warriors v Chicago Hounds

14 - 36

2023 - RD 16: Chicago Hounds v San Diego Legion

40 - 33

2023 - RD 15: Houston SaberCats v Chicago Hounds

35 - 13

2023 - RD 14: Seattle Seawolves v Chicago Hounds

20 - 21

2023 - RD 13: Chicago Hounds v New York Ironworkers

27 - 12

2023 - RD 12: Rugby ATL v Chicago Hounds

24 - 37

2023 - RD 10: Chicago Hounds v NOLA Gold

48 - 24

2023 - Rd 9: San Diego Legion v Chicago Hounds

31 - 19

2023 - RD 8: New England Free Jacks v Chicago Hounds

21 - 38

2023 - RD 7: Chicago Hounds v Houston SaberCats

5 - 27

2023 - RD 6: Chicago Hounds v Seattle Seawolves

24 - 22

2023 - RD 5: Chicago Hounds v Dallas Jackals

26 - 27

2023 - RD 4: Chicago Hounds v Toronto Arrows

10 - 14

2023 - RD 3: Chicago Hounds v Utah Warriors

42 - 27

2023 - RD 1: Old Glory DC v Chicago Hounds

All-Time MLR Standings

PosTeamPWLDPFPAPDTBLBPts
111271401324926725776022368
211667472330728914165824354
3866224024401793647459302
41055054126432851-2085221275
51064558329843031-475531272
61075057027102973-2635017267
77546290200017862144113238
8833346421422495-3534417201
9702939217711884-1132716163
105630251140512651402710159
1161253511457142136249135
123425901036618418205125
13452024111381180-421710109
1431171228568015517392
1550941010171710-693191772
16279162695829-13417562
172711160587693-1069659
182702705261070-5448412

2025 Overall MLR Standings

PosTeamPWLDPFPAPDTBLBPts
111830376304728141
211830304227777140
311830295252435138
412750363322418238
511740334283517237
611560313335-228230
711461328356-289330
81146131731077328
91147033333127528
1011560252304-525227
11110110203394-191235

2024 MLR Standings

PosTeamPWLDPFPAPDTBLBPts
116142047834713111067
216115049837312511457
3161150421374477556
41611504633441198355
5161060410349618250
616871454387678445
716610048245032111043
816772394416-226442
9165110424471-477835
10166100335389-544432
11165101367473-1068232
12160160323676-353617

2023 Overall MLR Standings

PosTeamPWLDPFPAPDTBLBPts
116151055428526913174
216142055627328311168
31612405093481619259
41610604844137111253
5161060445421248250
6168804283874110143
716781408443-3511243
816790339435-966135
9165101355428-735128
10163130327497-1704420
11162140278458-1806519
12161132306601-2954416

Chicago Hounds – Active

PlayerPositionGPGSTCPACDGMGTacklesKS/KAPts
Adriaan CarelseFly-half, Fullback750440023916820
Ben PollackFly-half, Fullback, Wing3300000115400
Brad TuckerLock210000011800
Bryce CampbellCenter1010000001989000
Charlie AbelProp7600000616100
Chris HilsenbeckFly-half86115800127452359
Conall BoomerFlanker, Number 87210000763605
Dylan FawsittFlanker, Hooker99600008581030
Faka’osi PifeletiHooker, Prop9900000555800
George MerrickLock00000000000
Hamish BainLock101010010818007
Ignacio PeculoProp10300000365800
Jackson ZabierekHooker100000001484400
Jake KinneeveaukFlanker, Number 810000000200
James ScottLock1010100008311205
James StokesCenter, Fullback, Wing00000000000
Janus VenterHooker2200000111400
Jason HigginsScrum-half6010000151005
Kian MeadonFly-half, Fullback00000000000
Koby BakerProp20000000000
Liam FletcherProp7000000533000
Lucas RumballFlanker101020000238114010
Luke WhiteFlanker, Lock, Number 8, Prop111100001755205
Maclean JonesFlanker, Number 8101070010123120037
Mark O’KeeffeCenter, Wing76100001593605
Mason FleschLock995002014197029
Matthew OworuFlanker, Number 86200000463700
Michael BaskaFullback, Scrum-half, Wing6200100752213
Michael HandWing5510000310605
Mitch ShortScrum-half109100001324605
Nate AugspurgerScrum-half, Wing55100102681707
Noah BrownFullback, Wing109100102706907
Noah FleschCenter9200000602300
Ollie DevotoCenter, Fly-half, Fullback10102000032688010
Patrick ‘Paddy’ RyanProp220000013600
Penalty Try334004000028
Peyton WallFullback, Wing10000009000
Sam WalshFly-half10000008100
Tavius Sykora-MatthessLock10000000200
Tim SwielFly-half6304000671748
Will VakalahiHooker, Prop00000000000
Zurabi ZhvaniaHooker, Prop5210000243105

Chicago Hounds – All

PlayerPositionGPGSTCPACDGMGTacklesKS/KAPts
Adriaan CarelseFly-half, Fullback252102913009991104297
Alexander HernandezProp00000000000
Alu TaitoProp00000000000
Ben LandryFlanker, Lock862001020749012
Ben PollackFly-half, Fullback, Wing3300000115400
Billy MeakesCenter3030200002238288010
Brad TuckerLock151000001226800
Bryce CampbellCenter4138200001634317010
Caleb StrumWing63100002422705
Cam DodsonLock76000002275800
Caolan DooleyFly-half4003000211236
Cassh MaluiaCenter, Wing72100001582505
Charlie AbelProp382330010591297017
Chris HilsenbeckFly-half86115800127452359
Chris MattinaCenter, Fullback1615196001090331541
Conall BoomerFlanker, Number 8181030000472102015
Dacoda WorthFlanker82000001562000
Dave KearneyFullback, Wing98000003532600
Duke KrishnanLock106100002347105
Dylan FawsittFlanker, Hooker27242000004472120100
Ethan ParkinsNumber 800000000000
Faka’osi PifeletiHooker, Prop9900000555800
Fred ApuluProp171000001705500
George MerrickLock1512000001949400
George ThorntonNumber 814102000029873010
Guillermo PujadasHooker8200000774100
Hamish BainLock101010010818007
Hugh RoachHooker653000013950015
Ignacio PeculoProp2491000017112105
JP EloffFly-half, Fullback156100004734505
Jackson ZabierekHooker100000001484400
Jake KinneeveaukFlanker, Number 810000000200
James ScottLock272750000347265025
James StokesCenter, Fullback, Wing00000000000
Janus VenterHooker1233000012459015
Jason HigginsScrum-half1955000011936025
Jonah DietenbergerLock10000000300
Josh McAdamCenter00000000000
Juan PenProp00000000000
Julián DomínguezWing2624140000151192070
Justice NkombuaFlanker, Lock6100000501300
Kevin MorganFullback, Wing200000057100
Kian MeadonFly-half, Fullback110010032213
Koby BakerProp20000000000
LaRome WhiteProp146100002324705
Liam FletcherProp7000000533000
Lindsey StevensNumber 8127100002138505
Lucas RumballFlanker221520000435224010
Luke BeauchampFlanker77000001478800
Luke CartyFly-half2723128220068010450127
Luke WhiteFlanker, Lock, Number 8, Prop3823500001413263025
Maclean JonesFlanker, Number 84340140020790507074
Mark O’KeeffeCenter, Wing3226600001591139030
Mason FleschLock252480020690233044
Mason KochHooker84300006421015
Matai LeutaWing762000028427010
Matthew OworuFlanker, Number 86200000463700
Michael BaskaFullback, Scrum-half, Wing28121010035812118
Michael HandWing5510000310605
Michael de WaalFlanker1591001019311607
Mika FelixProp510000091800
Mike MatarazzoFlanker, Lock15121000021211205
Mitch ShortScrum-half109100001324605
Nate AugspurgerScrum-half, Wing20209002092587049
Nick McCarthyScrum-half1613000002433800
Nick TaylorFullback10000004100
Nicolás Revol PittProp5400000792900
Noah BrownFullback, Wing231650010791117027
Noah FleschCenter9200000602300
Ollie DevotoCenter, Fly-half, Fullback10102000032688010
Patrick ‘Paddy’ RyanProp282120000322134010
Penalty Try88100010000070
Peyton WallFullback, Wing10000009000
Sam FaoagaliHooker00000000000
Sam PeriLock600000034200
Sam WalshFly-half10000008100
Sean YacoubianScrum-half7310000552605
Sidney ShoopScrum-half8500000126100
Steveni LombardHooker00000000000
Tavius Sykora-MatthessLock10000000200
Tim SwielFly-half6304000671748
Timmy OhlweinProp2000000171300
Tinashe MuchenaFlanker, Number 873000002325200
Will VakalahiHooker, Prop00000000000
Willis GoodwinFullback, Wing10000008100
Zurabi ZhvaniaHooker, Prop1063000011056015