Well before I get started, I want to greatly apologize for
the missed week and the delay on this one. Not only did I go on vacation after
graduation but then proceeded to get the worst Stomach flu bug I have ever experienced
in my life. Hence the missed week, but I recovered enough and in the know enough
to conduct this week’s power rankings.
To make up for the absence of last week, I am throwing in
two themes of the week for your reading pleasure. I am including the coaches
hot seat theme due to popular demand throughout the season so I will be
utilizing a phrase to determine how hot or cold your team’s seat is. In
addition, I will be comparing a team from MLR’s past to our current batch of
squads. This isn’t necessarily a match off of playstyle but more so of vibes
and feelings about where they stack in the pecking order.
Without further ado, we are back baby!
#1 Chicago Hounds – 2021 LA Giltinis – Chris Latham is at
the South Pole with Penguins
Man, what happened to Van Der Merve and Ryburg? That was a
winger pairing which was so fun to watch. The Chicago Hounds got a bit of a
reality check this weekend when they traveled to DC to face Old Glory. However,
give credit to the men from the Midwest as they rallied to keep their undefeated
season alive. Despite the blowout of the Seawolves, the Hounds have faced two
fair challenges from both the Legion and DC in the past three weeks as they
head into the regular season finale against the Free Jacks. I am curious to see
how petty this team’s heart can be as they face the team which denied them a shot
at the shield a year ago.
Regarding the Hot Seat, Coach Latham is in Chicago as long
as he wants to be. I know there were some rumblings (which included me) of Cuca
potentially taking the Eagles job after Lawerence; however, I think I’d like to
amend that to Latham. His style of play is genuinely fun to watch, and it also
emphasizes a lot of the strengths of the current US player base. His hookers, flankers
and centers are key pieces of his gameplan. Also, I do not think that the
explosion of Brock Webster is a coincidence either and I would love to see Latham
develop a proper US fullback. Dude is colder than freezing right now, he is
safe.
Now why the 2021 Giltinis? I could have gone to the 2023
Legion, or the 2025 Sabercats, or even 2019 Legion as well. However, similar to
that 2021 team, despite some cracks being shown towards the end of the
campaign, do you really see anyone beating this Hounds side to the final? They
had guys like Billy Meakes, Ashley-Cooper, Goddard, Giteau, Dennis and even
current guys like Abel and Den Hoedt. That Giltinis squad just felt above the
rest of the league, and I think Chicago is going to have a similar trajectory.
They’ll get a scare by likely DC in the conference finals and then assert
dominance over a Legion or Seattle.
#2 California Legion – 2022 Houston SaberCats – Frozen Metal
Chair
Steffan
Crimp put a stamp on that game didn’t he. Hey Scott, maybe give him a go at #15
instead of Storti? Just a thought. Revenge for Week #0 was on the California
Legion’s mind against Anthem this week and both did they deliver. Kinda makes
you wonder what could have been if this team was assembled a little bit earlier
and they were match ready weren’t they? Night and Day for Coach Holies and his
men, as they demolished their opponents in Carolina. Now they have to play the Seawolves
twice! The question now is whether it will be twice at Starfire or perhaps a
mystery location…seriously where are the Legion going to play… FIFA has
colonized nearly everywhere.
Coach Holies is the guy going forward. He got his squad to
play the most exciting rugby in the league and made them a contender for the
final. The only point of contention I have is what is your plan for when
Bertranou eventually decides to retire/leave? Tas Smith? There are few scrumhalfs
with the skillset the Argentinian has let alone those willing to play in the MLR.
Coach Holies will need him if they stand any shot at defeating the Hounds in
the final. However, Coach Holies deserves his flowers and another season at
bare minimum.
Now why did I pick this SaberCats team? Because 2022 was the
first season I truly started avidly following the league and boy what a year to
get involved. With the great ban of 2022, the SaberCats were practically guaranteed
home field advantage. Just one problem, they had to play the Seattle Seawolves
twice in four weeks. And what happened? They lost both times, which
coincidently the first was my first ever MLR game. I just have the feeling the
Legion are on the cusp of being great, but its not their time yet. I could be
totally misplaced in my feelings, but if Seattle gets two home games in a row,
I think the Legion might be one and done in the playoffs.
#3 Seattle Seawolves – 2022 Seattle Seawolves – A Normal
Chair
The more I watch this team the more I am concerned that God
might enjoy seeing my hair fall out. This team cannot ever win games
comfortably except when their opponent is actual garbage. Another unnecessary nailbiter
but hey we won; all praise to Clarke Ball! We won some silverware too…. it’s
the Coffee Cup…but we can add it to the trophy shelf which I will say is fuller
than yours Chicago Hounds Social Media team (iykyk). Now Seattle controls its
own destiny, beat the Legion twice. (seriously how is there not an official
derby name for this game MLR?!?) Is it
doable, yes, will we do it, knowing us…possibly.
My relationship with Coach Clarke is so mixed. I am grateful
that I have got to see my team in two finals and every year we’ve been
competitive. But man…he is so stubborn in his matchday 23 that it makes me want
to scream. Why did we sign Drake Davis if we aren’t going to use him ever? Why
is JP on the wing when we have healthy wingers? Stop playing Dewald Donald, the
poor bloke is hurt. Your favoritism is not helping at all! This year he was
forced to play the youngsters, but poor Calvin is out now that Dorian is back
(to be fair he has been decent.) Also given the fact he is coaching the US Army
in the middle of this playoff hunt…Clarke you are safe for now…but man do you
frustrate me.
Now why do I think we are going to the finals this year…because
this is Clarke Seawolves heritage. We win games at the stroke of death before
slowing getting beat up only for a better team to defeat us in the Final or
Conference Finals. Now, the only reason why I have us going to the finals this
time is because I think Starfire is going to play a factor. Will this
projection bite me in the butt later, probably but let the wackiness commence!
#4 Old Glory DC – 2024 Old Glory DC – A plastic chair with an
armrest in the sun
Don’t worry, the next two sides will not be past versions of
the same team, but this felt way too poetic. Dang it DC you almost had him.
John Rizzo nearly dragged you all to victory and yet you couldn’t stop the onslaught
of the Hounds. I think Christian Dyer put it best in that this team cannot seem
to play a full 80-minute game to save their lives. Genuinely this team should…should
be comfortably in the playoffs. However, they will probably get in due to just
being the best of the rest.
Coach Simon Cross frustrates me. The guy can build a squad
and make every single game (usually) a close one. Yet, his teams always feel
like there is something missing particularly on the offense where they just do
not quite have enough to be in the elite tier of squads. I do not quite know
what is needed to fix this issue. Is it recruitment, tactics or just the head
man himself? I genuinely do not know. He has certainly earned another season,
but they need to find that “it” guy. Maybe poach one of Anthem’s scrumhalfs or
give a call to a guy like Eric Storti and actually play him at Center? Coach
Cross’ seat has a hot spot but if he can find someone else in the back lines he
may have a shield in the future.
This is just typical DC. I picked 2024 because well 2025
they were somewhat better in my opinion. They will likely get into the playoffs
and give Chicago another scare in the conference finals. However, once again
they will come up short. However, they could be like the 2024 Jackals and
create one of the greatest hatewatches in sports history possible and I would
laugh till I passed away
#5 New England Free Jacks – 2025 NOLA Gold – Seat moved next
to the fireplace
Well, you tried didn’t ya Dunkin Lovers and you failed! Starbucks
forever… (seriously why aren’t we sponsoring local coffee shops for this rivalry
instead of begging for corporations to notice us?) The FreeJacks now need a bit
of luck on their side as they defend their home for the last time this season
against the insurmountable Hounds. They have their work cut out for them as
they probably need a winning bonus point against the undefeated side in
Chicago. However, DoinkGate happened…. could it happen twice?
Coach Martin as this year has gone on kind of has reminded
me of Danny Lee lite. Granted this is also due to injuries and availability
issues, but the man like Coach Cuca just seems to be tweaking his lineups so
much. I do not think he has yet to find a starting 23 that he has liked. Also
given how many NPC players, the foreign roster slots have limited his ability
to pick guys. I do also wonder how much of his divided loyalties as an NPC head
coach are affecting his selections as well? He has a shield to his name, so he doesn’t
deserve to be let go. However, 2027 needs to be a massive improvement if Coach
Martin is to keep his job.
As mentioned above, this squad is so disjointed and random
in its selections. The NOLA Gold of 2025 are the only comparable squad that I
can think of. Now granted, they aren’t switching 9-10 combos every week, but
their backs are constantly shifted and the front rows have been…odd. Yes, it’s
a new squad and their needs to be time to figure things out but you cannot find
a way to get Balekana in the squad at all so far? New England needs far more
quality domestic players in their depth in order to make this make sense.
#6 Rugby Anthem Carolina – 2023 Dallas Jackals – The Seat
Warmer has been turned on
Well…. Week #3 feels like it was such a long time ago. 2-1
to now 2-7…likely 2-8…but there is a chance! All you have to do is beat the
socks off of DC without conceding a try or losing bonus point and hope that Chicago
does the same to New England. Should be so easy right? Well…they gave DC a run
for a bit last time they played, and Chicago probably wont take it easy on New
England. So, it’s possible…not likely though
Coach Cuca…the praise we had for you to start the year and
now we are questioning if you are now just Coach Lawerence’s puppet. Why the
heck did you take Storti away from the Center position. Did you see him against
the Legion at #13? Him and Pittman were excellent together and I cannot understand
why he’s suddenly become a winger project. Also…can you please get Alikhan’s
temper under control? Clarke got Lindenmuth to knock off his shenanigans so why
cant you? This team genuinely feels like a lab for the Eagles…which is fine
except a lot of these guys now feel like depth pieces. Hilsenbeck outplayed
Carty, I don’t think Pittman starts over Besag or Lopeti, Golla is undersized
for lock and no where near the lineup for flanker, Alikhan also I just don’t know,
Sherman deserves a look, Payton should start if healthy, Roberts and Mooneyham I
am not sure and of course Storti…Again I do not know whats going on behind the
scenes but it just feels messy.
This is the 2023 Jackals for sure. I know I said I got 2024
vibes from this Anthem squad earlier in the year but it’s definitely 2023. They
got the win hump off, but they have not figured out their defense enough to keep
up with other teams. Does Anthem figure it all out next year and take the
league by storm. Or do they pull the impossible and make the Finals after some wacky
shenanigans?
You all will have to tune in this week to find out. Enjoy
the Regular Season Finale Everyone!