After winning 14 straight, the defending champs lost at the death in their home opener against rival Old Glory D.C. Jason Robertson was clutch down the stretch and drilled the game winning kick with no time on the clock. It was truly a game winning conversion (they were down 1, not tied), and it silenced a rowdy crowd in Quincy. Not only did Robertson's boot come up clutch, but he facilitated just about all of their tries (as a good fly-half does). This shakes up the "Power Structure" on the Eastern Front (see below). It's going to take more than 1 (1 point) loss to dethrone New England. They ..read more

Historical Record: 32-42-3 Week 1 Result: 22-15 loss to Houston Skinny: The Utah Warriors have always been an MLR staple. There's no prettier backdrop than the snow kissed mountains just west of Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman Utah. The Warriors will be missing legend Lance Williams as he pursues Olympic dreams with the Eagle 7's, but they won't lack veteran leadership. Paul Lasike and Angus McClellan return, and the grandstands in Utah will be begging for a home playoff game come July. Have you Unleashed Your Inner Warrior ..read more

Historical Record: 43-33-1 Week 1 Result: 25-19 win against San Diego Skinny: The Orcas in the Pacific Northwest have been known to be some of the most intelligent hunters in the ocean. The rugby team also knows how to hunt down playoff appearances and has posted a 7-2 playoff record over their history. They have only missed the playoffs once in 2021, but coach Alan Clarke has them trending up and ready to feed on any aquatic mammals (or fish) that cross their path. Sam Windsor clocks in for his 7th MLR season, can father time win another title like he did in 2021 with New York? The #HuntForNu ..read more

Historical Record: 51-25-1 Week 1 Result: 25-19 loss to Seattle Skinny: The team may have some of the last Generation X professional rugby players on the squad, but don't forget that age is just a number. After all, 40's are the new 30's, right? Ma'a Nonu and Matt Giteau want nothing more than the MLR Shield and won't stop until it reaches the sunny shores of Mission Beach. The Legion have won over 66% of their matches as a franchise, but playoff appearances won't be enough this year. It's shield or bust ..read more

Historical Record: 0-0 Week 1 Result: 32-29 loss vs. Dallas Skinny: Atlanta packs up and moves to the sunny hills of Los Angeles. Coach Steve Brett brings with him the core of the players that won a fair share of games as the RATLers. But just like the phoenix who rose from the ashes, Rugby FCLA arises with vibrant colors! The royal blue and tinge of yellow hits just right. Will this team be an immediate threat in the West? Remains to be seen ... Week 1 showed they can score points, but the last team to win an MLR Shield in Los Angeles also played stout defense. And the logo ... ? Well that lo ..read more

Historical Record: 29-48 (5.5 Seasons) Week 1 Result: 22-15 win over Utah Skinny: After a tough couple years of predominantly losing, it seems like Houston has turned a corner (or a roundabout?) ... Coach Pote Human ain't taking no guff from opposing teams, and has delivered the squad to playoffs in back to back years.... only to be ousted by Seattle. But this years team as added some serious weaponry in the form of Jeremy "Missile" Misailegalu and AJ Alatimu. A Week 1 win was accompanied by a sold out SaberCats Stadium. Can the attendance numbers stay high as the temperature and relative humi ..read more

Historical Record: 2-30 (2 Seasons) Week 1 Result: 32-29 win over Rugby FC Los Angeles Skinny: So Dallas hasn't been great so far ... no better time than now for a change. Sam Golla may be the best draft pick since the inception of the collegiate draft. The #JackalAllTrades already earned his way onto the Eagles and is now a Jackal Co-Capt. too. A week 1 win is huge for confidence, but can they beat the snake bitted SD Legion Sunday to make it two in a row? Now that Marc Cuban has sold his majority stake in the Mavericks, will be seeing a celebrity appearance at Choctaw stadium in 2024? That's ..read more

Historical Record: 20-31-2 (3.5 Seasons) Week 1 Result: 18-6 loss to NOLA Gold Skinny: Moving on from Segra Field is a definite win. While the new pitch is still a ways out there, it boasts a beautiful grass surface with an accurately sized bowl for 5k fans. It's their 3rd venue since inception and they've finally checked off all three parts of the DMV. The match up in Quincy Massachusetts Saturday suddenly has more juice as the Flags will look to punch back at the team that knocked them off in last year's Eastern Conference Final. Does having a 4th coach in 4 years matter...? Not if the core ..read more

Historical Record: 36-40-1 (5.5 Seasons) Week 1 Result: 18-6 win over Old Glory DC Skinny: NOLA in a big year as they look to not only make the playoffs, but host a match in July. They have the glitz and glamour to get there, but after white knuckle defensive performance against OGDC down in the Gold Mine, it just might be DEFENSE that sees them through to the knockouts. Can Rodney Iona assert himself as one of the league's best 10's? There's a notable bye-week for the Gold during the epic New Orleans' Jazz Fest. Will the players have a well deserved night on the town ... or is it all business ..read more

Historical Record: 38-15 (3.5 Seasons) Week 1 Result: 46-13 win over Anthem Skinny: Reigning Champs, and currently riding a 13 game winning streak dating back to April of 2023. There is no hotter team in the MLR so surely the pressure is on to repeat as champions. With Fort Quincy as host to the best stadium environment on the East Coast, teams will be fearing the away trip to New England. This team has some serious kiwi talent. Jayson Potroz is the people's champ after winning 2 finals in the same calendar year (all while presenting as a bald old man), and Mitch Jacobson has a chin you could ..read more