Round 2 of the 2025 Major League Rugby season delivered another exciting weekend of action, featuring dominant performances, thrilling comebacks, and historic first wins. As teams begin to settle into the season, the intensity is ramping up, with every match showcasing physical battles, attacking flair, and crucial momentum shifts.
San Diego ran riot against Anthem RC, Utah outlasted Chicago in a high-scoring contest, and Miami secured their first-ever victory in MLR. Meanwhile, Houston pulled off the most dramatic comeback of the round, overturning a massive halftime deficit to stun RFC Los Angeles.
Here’s a full breakdown of all the Round 2 results, key moments, and match highlights from the weekend!
SAN DIEGO LEGION DOMINATE SECOND HALF TO ROUT ANTHEM RC IN CHARLOTTE
Anthem RC 5 – 52 San Diego Legion (HT 5-26)
San Diego Legion secured a commanding 52-5 victory over Anthem RC in their home opener at American Legion Memorial Stadium. The game started with a back-and-forth battle, as Anthem matched San Diego’s intensity early on. After an opening try from the visitors, first overall MLR Draft pick Erich Storti crossed for his first professional try to level the score at 5-5. However, San Diego responded ruthlessly, running in three unanswered tries before halftime to take a 26-5 lead. The second half was all San Diego, as the visitors piled on four more tries and shut down Anthem RC’s attack completely. Fatigue and defensive lapses proved costly for the hosts, while the Legion’s clinical finishing ensured a dominant win on the road.
ANTHEM RC
- Tries: Storti (25’)
SAN DIEGO LEGION
- Tries: Lopeti (5’), Aoake (27’), Sears-Duru (31’), James (42’), Helu (45’), Klein (55’), Judd (59’), Grayson (77’)
- Conversions: Grayson (28’, 32’, 43’, 46’, 56’, 60’)
UTAH WARRIORS OUTLAST CHICAGO HOUNDS IN HIGH-SCORING CLASH
Chicago Hounds 31 – 45 Utah Warriors (HT 21-21)
The Utah Warriors opened their 2025 MLR season with an impressive 45-31 victory over the Chicago Hounds at SeatGeek Stadium, overpowering their hosts in the second half. In a game filled with attacking flair, Chicago started strong, with Dylan Fawsitt making his 100th MLR appearance and leading his team’s early charge. The Hounds pushed Utah hard in the opening 40 minutes, trading tries to keep the contest tied at 21-21 at halftime. However, Utah took control in the second half, outscoring Chicago 24-12 with a dominant forward display and clinical backline execution. The Warriors’ ability to capitalize on turnovers and maintain relentless pressure proved too much for the Hounds, sealing a well-earned road victory. The result marks an ideal start for Utah, while Chicago will need to shore up their defense ahead of next week’s fixture.
CHICAGO HOUNDS
- Tries: Augspurger (11’), Flesch (18’), Fawsitt (25’), Short (43’)
- Conversions: Carelse (12’, 19’, 26’, 44’)
- Penalties: Carelse (63’)
UTAH WARRIORS
- Tries: Coltman (1’), Makiri (5’), Mano (13’, 78’), Jensen (50’), Jones (58’)
- Conversions: Leuila (2’, 6’, 14’, 51’, 59’, 79’)
- Penalties: Leuila (65’)
MIAMI SHARKS EDGE OUT NOLA GOLD FOR FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON
Miami Sharks 30 – 25 NOLA Gold (HT 13-15)
The Miami Sharks secured their first victory of the 2025 MLR season with a hard-fought 30-25 win over NOLA Gold at Baptist Health Community Field. In a tightly contested Eastern Conference clash, Miami overcame a two-point halftime deficit with a strong second-half surge, sealing the win in the final minutes. NOLA started the game on the front foot, building a 15-13 lead at halftime through their dominant forward pack and tactical kicking. Miami, however, responded with a much-improved performance after their Round 1 collapse, with key contributions from Tomás Cubelli and Santiago Videla sparking their backline. The Sharks’ scrum, which struggled against Old Glory DC, held firm this time, allowing them to stay in the fight. The second half saw both teams trade the lead, but Miami’s resilience proved decisive. A late penalty from NOLA brought them within five points, but the Sharks’ defense stood tall to close out the win. The result marks an important bounce-back for Miami, while NOLA will regret missed chances to steal a road victory.
MIAMI SHARKS
- Tries: Tucci (23’), Ardao Ferres (53’), Bonasso (57’)
- Conversions: Elias (24’, 54’, 58’)
- Penalties: Elias (18’, 36’, 63’)
NOLA GOLD
- Tries: Coats (3’, 59’), Mignot (12’)
- Conversions: Jones (4’, 60’)
- Penalties: Jones (33’, 77’)
HOUSTON SABERCATS ROAR BACK TO STUN RFC LOS ANGELES IN SECOND-HALF MASTERCLASS
RFC Los Angeles 28 - 45 Houston Sabercats (HT 28-12)
The Houston SaberCats staged a remarkable second-half comeback to defeat RFC Los Angeles 45-28 at Wallis Annenberg Stadium. Trailing by 16 points at halftime, Houston dominated the second half with a relentless 33-0 run to claim their first win of the season. RFC Los Angeles came out firing, scoring four tries in a dazzling first-half display led by Christian Leali’ifano and Gonzalo Bertranou. The hosts looked in control with a 28-12 advantage at the break, but Houston responded with a tactical shift that completely turned the game around. The second half belonged entirely to the SaberCats, who overwhelmed LA’s fading defense with a mix of set-piece dominance and attacking precision. Former Scotland winger Rufus McLean made an instant impact, while fly-half Davy Coetzer pulled the strings as Houston ran in multiple unanswered tries. The Los Angeles attack, so fluid in the first half, fell silent as Houston’s forward pack, led by Marno Redelinghuys and Emmanuel Albert, took control of the breakdown. A massive statement victory for the SaberCats, while RFC Los Angeles will be left wondering how they let such a commanding lead slip away.
RFC LOS ANGELES
- Tries: Van Vugt (12’, 40’), Shaw (18’), Chan (26’)
- Conversions: Leali’ifano (13’, 19’, 27’, 40’)
HOUSTON SABERCATS
- Tries: Schumacher (5’), Den Hoedt (33’), Tuifua (42’), Basson (77’), Akina (80’)
- Conversions: Coetzer (6’, 43’, 78’, 80’)
STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 2
That wraps up Round 2 of Major League Rugby. With teams settling into the season, early contenders are emerging, while others are still searching for momentum. Every match is proving to be a battle as the race for playoff spots begins to take shape.
What did you think of this weekend’s action? Which team impressed you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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