Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Major League Rugby was cruelly denied completion of what would have surely been its best season to date. The North American league has survived the pandemic, however, and is now set to make a triumphant return in late March, with preseason games starting in late February.
That leaves plenty of time to get caught up on some of the best action provided by the competition in its first three seasons. In compiling our ‘best of’ it quickly became apparent that there have been a lot of exciting games in MLR, a testament to the brand and attacking ambition of coaches and players.
It should come as no surprise that eight of the ten games selected were played at either San Diego’s Torero Stadium or the Seawolves stomping ground of Starfire Stadium. Both have been exceptional venues with stands full of supporters helping to crank up the intensity.
While there is certainly room for debate, we can say with confidence that the games identified below should be considered required viewing for all MLR fans. To that end each nomination contains links to highlights and – with one exception – full match videos.
#10
Seattle Seawolves vs Toronto Arrows
Starfire Stadium, Tukwila
February 17, 2019
This is as close to a ‘Canadian’ derby as it gets in MLR, though Seattle’s status as the preferred venue for Canucks south of the border is under threat. Toronto’s first official meeting with the defending champs was an exhilarating contest that featured seven tries and endless intrigue from start to finish.
MATCH REPORT / HIGHLIGHTS / FULL MATCH
#9
San Diego Legion vs Rugby United New York
Torero Stadium, San Diego
March 8, 2020
Something of an emotional choice given that it was the final MLR game played before the pandemic shutdown. Injury to Ma’a Nonu meant we were denied the anticipated collision with Mathieu Bastareaud but the giant Frenchman still made his mark and both sides were wholly committed in what might have been most brutal physical contest the league has produced to date.
MATCH REPORT / HIGHLIGHTS / FULL MATCH
#8
Seattle Seawolves vs Utah Warriors
Starfire Stadium, Tukwila
March 7, 2020
The game that didn’t want to end! This was an extraordinary match that went way beyond 80 minutes before a winner was decided. Like the previous selection, this took place on the final weekend of the 2020 season and left us gasping for air. Perhaps not technically the sharpest but jam-packed with drama.
MATCH REPORT / HIGHLIGHTS / FULL MATCH
#7
Glendale Raptors vs Houston SaberCats
Infinity Park, Glendale
April 6, 2019
Murphy Taramai’s MLR debut coincided with the greatest comeback in the league’s history. By the half-hour mark Glendale were already 32-nil in the hole but somehow they conjured the wherewithal to pull out a stunning result. The second-half collapse was a turning point for the SaberCats, who changed coaches less than a month later, and saved the Raptors from a humiliating home defeat.
MATCH REPORT / HIGHLIGHTS / EXTENDED HIGHLIGHTS
#6
San Diego Legion vs Houston SaberCats
Torero Stadium, San Diego
May 4, 2018
The best regular season match from the league’s inaugural season. This was a big game for MLR that was featured on CBS Sports Network with an impressive crowd. The match itself delivered with the two teams going shot-for-shot in a thrilling match that saw the lead change hands an incredible seven times.
#5
Old Glory DC vs Seattle Seawolves
Cardinal Stadium, Washington
February 16, 2020
Fans were left scratching their heads at the terrible field lines of Cardinal Stadium, but otherwise this was a massive success for MLR. Old Glory’s first home game had them up against the two-time defending champions. It also marked the first appearance of Tendai Mtawarira, but even ‘The Beast’ couldn’t stop a dominant Seawolves scrum. A packed house was in attendance to watch a memorable welcoming of professional rugby to the nation’s capital.
MATCH REPORT / HIGHLIGHTS / FULL MATCH
#4
Glendale Raptors vs Seattle Seawolves
Torero Stadium, San Diego
July 7, 2018
The league’s first Championship Final, which culminated in the awarding of the MLR Shield. Glendale had ripped through the regular season and lived up to their preseason ranking as title favorites, but the upstart Seawolves led by player-coach Phil Mack were having none of it. A remarkable game played at the neutral venue in San Diego.
MATCH REPORT / EXTENDED HIGHLIGHTS / FULL MATCH
#3
Seattle Seawolves vs NOLA Gold
Starfire Stadium, Tukwila
April 21, 2019
Simply put, the best regular season game in MLR history. The two sides entered as the top two on the table with predictions split heading in. A standing room only crowd were treated to an instant classic. From the opening kickoff the game had an intensity unmatched by previous offerings with the star-studded lineups throwing themselves into tackles with reckless abandon.
MATCH REPORT / HIGHLIGHTS / FULL MATCH
#2
San Diego Legion vs Rugby United New York
Torero Stadium, San Diego
June 9, 2019
Setting the stage for the second Championship Final was a pulsating Semi Final that left the expansion New York side wondering what might have been. There were twists and turns, two Paddy Ryans, and a packed house in San Diego. Joe Pietersen’s kick heard around the world to seal the win has achieved legendary status in this corner of the rugby-verse.
MATCH REPORT / HIGHLIGHTS / FULL MATCH
#1
San Diego Legion vs Seattle Seawolves
Torero Stadium, San Diego
June 16, 2019
Championship Final #2. A sold-out Torero Stadium was the perfect venue. Seattle’s traveling supporters punched above their weight and provided a superb atmosphere for a game broadcast on CBS. Both sides gave everything and it wasn’t until the final play that the title was decided. A truly spectacular occasion that captured the attention of fans around the world and secured MLR’s future.
