Round Six Preview
WRITTEN BY ALEXANDER DIEGEL FOR THE RUGBY NETWORK
One blowout separated a slew of exciting games last week. This week, LA will try to keep its undefeated season going against its nearest neighbor, Austin will try to build a four-game win streak, and things remain tight in the hotly-contested Eastern Conference.
Take a look ahead at the weekend’s action:
NOLA Gold at Rugby ATL
Saturday at 7:00 p.m. ET | Stream on The Rugby Network
This budding regional rivalry pits two teams in the dog fight that has become the Eastern Conference. Atlanta was early leaders but have slipped after two straight losses. NOLA led before Atlanta, was passed on its bye week, then returned with a loss. Saturday’s one-point win over New England put the Gold back in playoff position.
What’s at Stake: Rugby ATL needs to snap this losing streak to stay out of the bottom of the Eastern Conference. NOLA wants to keep pace with New York. The standings are so close that the winner could easily stand at the top, or in Atlanta’ case the bottom, of the rankings.
Bold Prediction: New Orleans has been embattled in games that have gone to the wire lately, and is 1-1 in them. The Gold escape with another tight one, 31-28.
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San Diego Legion at LA Giltinis
Saturday at 9:00 p.m. ET | Watch on CBS Sports Network
The Legion are back home in San Diego and played its best match of the season in the victory over Utah. Fortunately it’s just a two hour drive to LA for this well-traveled team. The Giltinis remained undefeated after the team’s toughest match of the year, needing a comeback against Houston. This-star studded LA-San Diego match has all the makings of the league’s next great rivalry. I am very excited for round one.
What’s at Stake: LA is of course trying to stay undefeated. The Legion are hoping to recover from a tough start, no doubt impacted by the team’s move to Las Vegas and back. A win would be a huge “we’re back” statement.
Bold Prediction: What a story it would be for the undefeated team of 2020, wounded out of the gate thus far, to knock off the undefeated team of 2021. Predicting as if my money were on it, it’s just too tough to make that call. 38-31 LA.
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Houston SaberCats at Utah Warriors
Saturday at 9:00 p.m. ET | Stream on The Rugby Network
The bipolar Houston Sabercats were at it again Saturday, putting shock into the MLR world by leading the LA Giltinis 51 minutes in. Utah might have a touch of the syndrome as well, as it’s now dropped three straight after starting 2-0.
What’s at Stake: Utah could snap out of its funk and get right back into second place, pending the results of the Austin-Seattle match. The Sabercats could hop as high as third in the conference with the victory. One team will be feeling satisfied at 3-3, the other wounded two games under .500 at 2-4.
Bold Prediction: How does one foretell the future in a match against two of the league’s most inconsistent teams? You roll the dice and go with the home team. 38-35, Utah.
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Toronto Arrows at Rugby United New York
Sunday at 2:00 p.m. ET | Stream on The Rugby Network
Both teams lit up the scoreboard last weekend. Toronto found its high-flying ways by ringing up 52 on Seattle, while New York posted 38 in a close win over Old Glory DC. This match is over a year in the making, as Toronto was set to face New York coming off its bye before last year's shutdown.
What at Stake: Doesn’t it seem like everything’s at stake every week in the air tight Eastern Conference? New York needs to continue to hold off NOLA for the top spot, while Toronto could find itself worst or first, pending results of the other matches.
Bold Prediction: New York has looked much improved after the bye and gets another match at home after last weekend’s victory. Toronto is dangerous (40 or more points in its two victories). I see the home team holding serve in a high-scoring affair. 41-38 New York.
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New England at Old Glory DC
Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET | Watch on FS1
Both of these teams were single-possession losers in Week 5, New England by the absolute slimmest of margins. DC is still banged up in the backline but the return of Jason Robertson at 10 had the team looking much more like itself offensively. It also welcomes in Fijian gold medalist Osea Kolinisau and Argentine center Thomas Morani to help cover the injuries. Both could make an impact on debut.
What’s at Stake: Old Glory currently sits last in the East, an ugly position for one of the preseason contenders. New England is right in the thick of things, tied for third with 11 league points. Both have a game in hand over Toronto and Atlanta, so could be sitting quite well with a win.
Bold Prediction: DC is not all the way back, but is getting there. You could see the magic between Robertson and #9 Danny Tusitala spark almost immediately. Old Glory has enough of its pieces back to roll to a home victory, 35-28.
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Seattle at Austin
Sunday at 7:00 p.m. ET | Stream on The Rugby Network
Seattle took one on the chin Saturday and has struggled through much of the season thus far. The schedule isn’t doing the team any favors. In the last week it will have flown from Seattle to Georgia, back home, then turned around to Austin. The Gilgronis are a team on the rise, winners of three straight. Only five points, the margin from its two early losses, separate this team from being a perfect 5-0.
What’s at Stake: Austin can continue to turn heads with a win that would give the team its first four-game win streak in franchise history. Seattle needs to start racking up wins to get out of the league’s cellar.
Bold Prediction: Both teams keep injury and player news tight to the vest, making predictions difficult. Austin could be without as many as three of its starting options at lock. Similarly, Andrew Duratalo went down 30 minutes in against Toronto, and all is quiet on the Samu Manoa debut front. I’ll roll the dice that at least one of Christian Ostberg, Seb de Chaves, or Isaac Ross is able to suit up and keep the Austin set piece moving. 24-17 Gilgronis.
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