Major League Rugby: Five takeaways as ‘true great of American rugby’ recognised while ‘Grim Reaper’ makes an appearance

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Chicago Hounds hooker Dylan Fawsitt became the first player in MLR history to make 100 appearances in the competition. (Image credit Chicago Hounds and Laura Stroud)

Chicago Hounds hooker Dylan Fawsitt became the first player in MLR history to make 100 appearances in the competition. (Image credit Chicago Hounds and Laura Stroud)

Over the weekend there were four Major League Rugby (MLR) matches on the schedule as the second week of the 2025 season took place.

Friday night saw the San Diego Legion travel to Anthem RC, the Chicago Hounds hosted the Utah Warriors, the Miami Sharks played the NOLA Gold and the Houston SaberCats went to Rugby FCLA.

The New England Free Jacks, Old Glory DC and Seattle Seawolves all enjoyed bye weeks after their Week 1 efforts.

Here are five takeaways from across the pond from Week 2 of the 2025 MLR season.

Fawsitt first to hit 100 mark in league

On Sunday afternoon the Chicago Hounds’ Dylan Fawsitt became the first player in MLR history to make 100 appearances in the competition.

A stalwart of the competition since its debut in 2018, the 34-year-old hooker is also the league’s leading try-scorer after crossing the whitewash on 58 occasions.

Key to Rugby New York’s title win in 2022, the Irish-born front-row forward has been at the forefront of rugby’s development in the USA since his arrival in the country over a decade ago.

Having played in America’s first go at professional rugby in 2016, Fawsitt made his Eagles debut seven years ago, played at the 2019 Rugby World Cup and even coached in his local community every stop along the way.

In recognition of his longevity in MLR, Fawsitt was honoured with a day wholly dedicated to him when the Utah Warriors rolled into town.

After entering the pitch with his two children in hand, Fawsitt was unable to prevent his team succumbing to a 45-31 loss, but did cross the whitewash in the 25th minute to get every supporter in attendance at SeatGeek Stadium up on their feet.

Taking plenty of time at the end of the game to sign autographs, take photographs and receive lots of adulation, it was the perfect recognition of a true great of American rugby.

MLR fans are a bit… different

Over this weekend we got a reminder that the American fandom is unique.

During the Friday night game between Anthem RC and San Diego Legion, the camera panned to the crowd and a fan dressed to the nines.

Think the Grim Reaper if they were an Anthem supporter. With a blue skull mask, white robe, blue oversized chain and team flag, he made an impression.

If that clobber was not enough, when Sunday rolled around there were Chicago Hounds fans in green wrestling masks or green furs. It’s safe to say that when people get invested, they are all the way in.

Legion not messing around this year

It is safe to say that the San Diego Legion have impressed over these first two weeks.

Fast out of the blocks in Week 1 against the Seattle Seawolves, in Week 2 the California club put Anthem RC out of sight with relative ease.

Winning 52-5 at American Legion Memorial Stadium, former Newcastle Falcons and Northampton Saints playmaker Ethan Grayson was the star of the show for John Manenti’s side.

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The 22-year-old scored 17 points, made 85 metres, beat eight defenders and made two clean breaks in the effort.

Already banking two bonus-point wins, this San Diego team look to have a different edge to past iterations of the Legion, all that is left to do now is maintain this form.

Sharks and SaberCats off the mark for 2025

After both being on the losing side a week ago, the Miami Sharks and Houston SaberCats registered their first wins of 2025.

The Sharks hedged their bets to beat the NOLA Gold in Florida after a slow start.

Completing a comeback in the second half thanks to Manuel Ardao and Ben Bonasso tries, the side held their nerve to beat their visitors 30-25.

On the west coast Rugby FCLA were subjected to a second straight loss, while Houston recovered from their Chicago loss a week before.

Tries for Max Schumacher, Nathan Den Hoedt, Sam Tuifa, Jeremy Misailegalu, a penalty try, Justin Basson and Dom Akina blew their hosts out of the water.

Two teams striving for success in 2025, both can now shed that opening weekend loss and set the wheels in motion for the rest of the year.

Hounds release documentary on 2024 season

Ahead of Week 2 a docuseries following the Chicago Hounds was released on Roku.

Titled The United States of Rugby, it offers a behind-the-scenes look at a team competing in just their second MLR season.

Safe to say there was a lot to mull over.

Midseason the team said goodbye to Sam Harris and reached the playoffs for the first time, with the series promising to offer a unique insight into how the side achieved what they did.

In a short space of time the USA has established itself as a true hub for rugby behind-the-scenes documentaries.

Almost four years ago the Austin Gilgronis were the focus of Inside the Scrum and just several weeks ago the San Diego Legion released Quest for the Shield on Amazon Prime.

Whether it is a willingness to pull back the curtain or recognising the value of these series, America is leading the way with content production in contrast to more traditional rugby nations.

Netflix’s Six Nations: Full Contact has been pulled after two seasons, while Premiership Rugby’s Mud, Sweat and Tears had just the one outing in 2023.

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