MLR Season VI: Unsolicited Opinions and Predictions
We are avid watchers of footy and these days there is plenty on TV. Like any one of the old boys at our local club we will insist we know what we are talking about. Major League Rugby is the professional rugby league in North America with 11 teams in the US and one in Toronto Canada. The 2023 Season is the league’s 6th year and everything from the rugby, broadcasting, officiating, and fans has improved. We are bullish on the MLR for rugby in the states. That is why we are absolutely buzzing to be an official kit provider of MLR teams custom Noodle Bagz found on ShopMLR.com.
Western Conference
San Diego - Seattle - Houston - Dallas - Utah - Chicago
How good has this conference been?! The top 3 (Seattle, Legion, Houston) have to be early favorites to win the whole thing. Look for this weekend's match; San Diego at Seattle as a real test and possible preview of the conference semifinal. The Seawolves have built an absolute fortress at their home pitch and San Diego could make a big statement winning away and snapping the undefeated run. Houston plays a physical brand of rugby that will keep them competitive in every game. Also don’t count out Utah, they are only a few points behind and with a win over one of the top three teams they could sneak into the playoff picture come May. Having just defeated a very good FreeJacks team at home, they are very much in the conversation. Chicago and Dallas still continue to struggle. Early this year we backed Dallas to get their first franchise win and last week they delivered. Chicago, it must be said, has up to now underperformed. They have real talent in many positions and fantastic coach. Don’t be surprised if they create a few upsets in the back half of the season.
Eastern Conference
Washington DC - Atlanta - New York - Toronto -New England - New Orleans
The Eastern conference looks like it will be a battle till the end. All teams still have a shot of making the playoffs. New England looks to be in the driver seat and if they win a few more will slowly pull away. They’ve got a tough finish to the season with Atlanta away, Seattle away, and Houston at home. New Orleans, Washington, Atlanta, and New York all sit relatively even on points, only a difference of 4 between them. Atlanta seems to be a notoriously tough team to beat at home. New Orleans has now won 4 in a row and are on a roll. New York will be disappointed with the start of their season after lifting the shield last year but they will take confidence from a convincing win against Atlanta this past weekend. Toronto sits in last place but one must remember that of their remaining 10 matches, 8 will be at home. They could still make a run at the playoffs.
Predictions
Noodle Bagz are swimwear for the bold, so why not throw out some Bold predictions.
Western Conference Semifinal
Seattle vs. Legion
Eastern Conference Semifinal
FreeJacks vs. NOLA
With our home team in form this year we have to back San Diego to win the shield beating FreeJacks 36 - 28.
Few of our Favorite Rigs
JP Aguirre - Dallas Jackals
Pago Haini - New York Ironworkers
Tiaan Loots - San Diego Legion
Peter Malcom - Seattle Seawolves
Cam Dolan - NOLA
Mark O’Keefe - Chicago Hounds
Zach Pangelinan - Houston Sabercats