Old Glory DC RFC is an American professional rugby union team based in Washington, D.C. that competes in Major League Rugby (MLR). Old Glory was founded in 2018, played some exhibition games in 2019, and began regular-season MLR play in 2020.
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| Full name | Old Glory DC Rugby Football Club | |
|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | The Flags | |
| Founded | 2018 | |
| Location | Washington, D.C. | |
| Ground(s) | Maryland SoccerPlex (Capacity: 5,000) | |
| Chairman | Paul Sheehy Chris Dunlavey Scottish Rugby Union | |
| Coach(es) | Simon Cross | |
| Captain(s) | Jamason Faʻanana-Schultz | |
| Most caps | Jack Iscaro (60) | |
| Top scorer | Jason Robertson (313) | |
| Most tries | William Talataina (23) | |
| League(s) | Major League Rugby | |
| 2023 | Conference finalist 3rd (Eastern Conference) | |
| ||
| Official website | ||
| oldglorydc | ||
The organization is led by two local business leaders, former USA Eagles' Paul Sheehy, and local club rugby player Chris Dunlavey.[1] The Scottish Rugby Union has a part ownership of the team. The team has been coached by Simon Cross since July 2023.
History
editMajor League Rugby announced on May 15, 2018, that an expansion team would begin play in Washington, D.C., by the 2020 season[2] and confirmed the team in November 2018.[3] On February 6, 2019, the team name was announced as Old Glory DC. On March 28, 2019, the Scottish Rugby Union announced that it had purchased a minority interest in the team.[4]
After losing seven matches in a row to start the 2022 season, Old Glory DC announced the immediate departure of head coach Andrew Douglas on March 29, 2022. At the time of his departure, Douglas was the longest-tenured head coach in MLR, having joined for the 2019 exhibition season before the first MLR season in 2020. He left with a 10-17-1 overall MLR record and a 37.5% winning percentage.[5][6] Three days later, on April 1, Old Glory DC announced that former NOLA Gold head coach Nate Osborne would serve as an interim head coach for the remainder of the season while the team conducted a search for a permanent replacement.[7]
On October 31, 2022, Josh Syms was announced as the new head coach.[8] On May 15, 2023, it was announced that Syms would leave at the end of the season to coach forwards for the Italian team Zebre Parma.[9] Several weeks later, Old Glory made the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.[10] On July 7, 2023, the team announced the hiring of Simon Cross as head coach to replace Syms.[11]
In June 2023, the team announced Earth, Wind & Fire bassist Verdine White and businessman Paxton Baker had become minority owners.[12]
In the 2024 season, Old Glory began play at the Maryland SoccerPlex, a sports complex in Germantown, Maryland. That season, Old Glory made the playoffs for the second time in franchise history.
Stadium
editThe team played their exhibition and inaugural campaigns at Cardinal Stadium on the campus of Catholic University of America.[13] In 2021 they moved to Segra Field in Leesburg, Virginia.[14] The team played three seasons at Segra Field and on September 6, 2023, it was announced that the team would move to the Maryland SoccerPlex in Germantown, Maryland the following season.[15]
Sponsorship
edit| Season | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor | Other Shirt sponsor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Adidas | Cuisine Solutions | None |
| 2020–2022 | Paladin Sports | Leidos Iron Vine Security | |
| 2023 | Leidos ECS Tech | ||
| 2024 | Kappa | Events DC ECS Tech Gringo Gordo Empanadas |
Roster
editThe Old Glory DC squad for the 2024 Major League Rugby season is:[16]
Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.
- Senior 15s internationally capped players are listed in bold.
- * denotes players qualified to play for the United States on dual nationality or residency grounds.
- MLR teams are allowed to field up to ten overseas players per match.
Head coaches
edit- Andrew Douglas (2019–March 2022)
- Nate Osborne (April 2022–October 2022) interim
- Josh Syms (October 2022–May 2023)
- Simon Cross (July 2023–present)
Captains
edit- Josh Brown (2019) (Captain)
- Mungo Mason (2020–2021) (Co-captain)
- Thretton Palamo (2020–2021) (Co-captain)
- Danny Tusitala (2022) (Captain)
- Jamason Faʻanana-Schultz (2023–present) (Captain)
- Stan South (2023) (Vice Captain)
Records
editSeason standings
edit| Season | Conference | Regular season | Postseason | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pos | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | +/− | BP | Pts | Pld | W | L | F | A | +/− | Result | |||
| 2020[a] | Eastern | 2nd | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 122 | 129 | -7 | 1 | 17 | - | - | - | - | - | - | Cancelled | |
| 2021 | Eastern | 5th | 16 | 6 | 1 | 9 | 409 | 490 | -81 | 13 | 39 | - | - | - | - | - | - | Did not qualify | |
| 2022 | Eastern | 6th | 16 | 3 | 0 | 13 | 423 | 591 | -168 | 11 | 23 | - | - | - | - | - | - | Did not qualify | |
| 2023 | Eastern | 3rd | 16 | 7 | 1 | 8 | 408 | 443 | -35 | 13 | 43 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 44 | 58 | -14 | Won Eliminator Game (Rugby New York) 37-33 Lost Conference Final (New England Free Jacks) 25-7 | |
| Totals | 53 | 20 | 2 | 31 | 1,362 | 1,653 | -291 | 38 | 122 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 44 | 58 | -14 | 1 postseason appearance | |||
2019 season
editAll games in the 2019 season were exhibition games and did not count in the MLR standings.
| Date | Opponent | Home/Away | Location | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 19 | Shannon RFC | Home | Cardinal Stadium | Lost, 22-26 |
| May 27 | Scotland U-20 | Home | Cardinal Stadium | Lost, 7-70 |
| June 1 | USA Rugby South Panthers | Home | Cardinal Stadium | Won, 28-7 |
| June 9 | Ontario Blues | Home | Cardinal Stadium | Won, 29-15 |
2020 season
editOn March 12, 2020, MLR announced the season would go on hiatus immediately for 30 days due to fears surrounding the 2019–2020 coronavirus pandemic.[17] It was cancelled the following week.[18]
| Date | Opponent | Home/Away | Location | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 8 | New Orleans Gold | Away | Gold Mine | Lost, 13-46 |
| February 16 | Seattle Seawolves | Home | Cardinal Stadium | Won, 28-22 |
| February 22 | Houston SaberCats | Away | Aveva Stadium | Won, 22-13 |
| February 29 | Austin Gilgronis | Away | Toyota Stadium | Won, 28-19 |
| March 8 | Rugby ATL | Home | Cardinal Stadium | Won, 31-29 |
| March 15 | Colorado Raptors | Home | Cardinal Stadium | Cancelled |
| March 22 | San Diego Legion | Away | Torero Stadium | Cancelled |
| March 29 | Rugby United New York | Home | Cardinal Stadium | Cancelled |
| April 11 | New Orleans Gold | Home | Cardinal Stadium | Cancelled |
| April 18 | New England Free Jacks | Away | Union Point Sports Complex | Cancelled |
| April 26 | Toronto Arrows | Home | Cardinal Stadium | Cancelled |
| May 3 | Utah Warriors | Home | Cardinal Stadium | Cancelled |
| May 9 | Rugby United New York | Away | MCU Park | Cancelled |
| May 17 | Rugby ATL | Away | Life University Running Eagles Stadium | Cancelled |
| May 24 | New England Free Jacks | Home | Cardinal Stadium | Cancelled |
| May 31 | Toronto Arrows | Away | Lamport Stadium | Cancelled |
2021 season
edit| Date | Opponent | Home/Away | Location | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 21 | NOLA Gold | Away | Gold Mine | Draw, 26-26 |
| March 27 | Rugby ATL | Home | Segra Field | Won, 30-23 |
| April 3 | Toronto Arrows | Home | Segra Field | Lost, 19-40 |
| April 18 | RUNY | Away | MCU Park | Lost, 34-38 |
| April 25 | New England Free Jacks | Home | Segra Field | Won, 35-22 |
| May 1 | LA Giltinis | Away | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum | Lost, 17-47 |
| May 8 | Utah Warriors | Away | Zions Bank Stadium | Lost, 33-34 |
| May 16 | Seattle Seawolves | Home | Segra Field | Won, 22-18 |
| May 22 | Houston SaberCats | Away | Aveva Stadium | Won, 21-13 |
| May 30 | RUNY | Home | Segra Field | Lost, 10-46 |
| June 6 | New England Free Jacks | Away | Union Point Sports Complex | Lost, 34-38 |
| June 12 | NOLA Gold | Home | Segra Field | Lost, 21-25 |
| June 26 | Rugby ATL | Away | Lupo Family Field | Lost, 12-32 |
| July 4 | Toronto Arrows | Away | Lupo Family Field[b] | Lost, 28-34 |
| July 10 | San Diego Legion | Home | Segra Field | Won, 38-29 |
| July 17 | Austin Gilgronis | Home | Segra Field | Won, 29-25 |
2022 season
editExhibition
editOld Glory played two preseason matches in January 2022. Both matches were held at the St. James Sports Complex, a series of indoor fields in Springfield, Virginia.[19]
| Date | Opponent | Home/Away | Location | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 21 | Toronto Arrows | Home | St. James Sports Complex | Lost, 47-17 |
| January 28 | New England Free Jacks | Home | St. James Sports Complex | Won, 27-22 |
Regular season
editOld Glory played eighteen matches in the regular season with two bye weeks. Their home matches were played at Segra Field in Leesburg, Virginia.[20] Because the MLR's Eastern Conference had one team fewer than the Western Conference, Old Glory played the Toronto Arrows three times in the regular season, once at home and twice in Toronto.
| Date | Opponent | Home/Away | Location | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 5 | Rugby ATL | Away | Atlanta Silverbacks Park | Lost, 22-55 |
| February 12 | Austin Gilgronis | Away | Bold Stadium | Lost, 12-57 |
| February 18 | New England Free Jacks | Home | Segra Field | Lost, 25-41 |
| February 26 | Toronto Arrows | Home | Segra Field | Lost, 5-29 |
| March 6 | San Diego Legion | Away | SDSU Sports Deck | Lost, 12-24 |
| March 20 | Rugby ATL | Home | Segra Field | Lost, 13-27 |
| March 26 | New Orleans Gold | Home | Segra Field | Lost, 22-31 |
| April 3 | Rugby New York | Away | JFK Stadium | Lost, 31-35 |
| April 9 | Toronto Arrows | Away | York Lions Stadium | Lost, 27-32 |
| April 15 | Utah Warriors | Home | Segra Field | Won, 22-21 |
| April 23 | Dallas Jackals | Home | Segra Field | Won, 50-10 |
| May 7 | New England Free Jacks | Away | Veterans Memorial Stadium | Lost, 26-20 |
| May 14 | New Orleans Gold | Away | Gold Mine on Airline | Lost, 50-21 |
| May 21 | Houston Sabercats | Home | Segra Field | Lost, 42-59 |
| May 29 | Rugby New York | Home | Segra Field | Lost, 49-59 |
| June 5 | Toronto Arrows | Away | York Lions Stadium | Won, 50-35 |
2023 season
editOld Glory played 16 games in the 2023 regular season. All eight home games were played at Segra Field. They advanced to the playoffs, defeating the Rugby New York Ironworkers to advance to the conference final, which they lost to the New England Free Jacks.
Regular season
edit| Date | Opponent | Home/Away | Location | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 18 | Chicago Hounds | Home | Segra Field | Won, 42-27 |
| March 5 | Rugby New York Ironworkers | Away | Memorial Field | Lost, 34-8 |
| March 11 | New England Free Jacks | Away | Veterans Memorial Stadium | Lost, 34-31 |
| March 18 | Toronto Arrows | Home | Segra Field | Won, 29-3 |
| March 25 | NOLA Gold | Home | Segra Field | Lost, 17-20 |
| April 2 | San Diego Legion | Away | Snapdragon Stadium | Lost, 48-26 |
| April 8 | Rugby ATL | Away | Atlanta Silverbacks Park | Lost, 35-27 |
| April 16 | Rugby New York Ironworkers | Home | Segra Field | Won, 42-31 |
| April 22 | Utah Warriors | Home | Segra Field | Won, 36-22 |
| May 6 | Dallas Jackals | Away | Choctaw Stadium | Won, 7-3[c] |
| May 14 | New England Free Jacks | Home | Segra Field | Lost, 24-42 |
| May 18 | Toronto Arrows | Away | York Lions Stadium | Draw, 29-29 |
| May 27 | Seattle Seawolves | Home | Segra Field | Lost, 41-19 |
| June 3 | NOLA Gold | Away | Gold Mine | Won, 28-15 |
| June 9 | Houston SaberCats | Away | SaberCats Stadium | Lost, 31-7 |
| June 17 | Rugby ATL | Home | Segra Field | Won, 36-28 |
Postseason
edit| Round | Date | Opponent | Home/Away | Location | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Eliminator | June 25 | Rugby New York Ironworkers | Away | Memorial Field | Won, 37-33 |
| East Conference Finals | July 1 | New England Free Jacks | Away | Veterans Memorial Stadium | Lost, 7-25 |
2024 season
editOld Glory played 16 games in the 2024 regular season. All eight home games were played at the Maryland SoccerPlex. The team made it to the playoffs for the second time in its history, securing a place by taking a losing bonus point in their loss to the Miami Sharks on June 22. They made the playoffs for the second time in team history and were defeated by the New England Free Jacks in the Eastern Conference Semi-Final.
Regular season
edit| Date | Opponent | Home/Away | Location | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 2 | NOLA Gold | Away | Gold Mine | Lost, 18-6 |
| March 9 | New England Free Jacks | Away | Veterans Memorial Stadium | Won, 35-34 |
| March 16 | Chicago Hounds | Home | Maryland SoccerPlex | Draw, 22-22 |
| March 23 | San Diego Legion | Home | Maryland SoccerPlex | Lost, 27-11 |
| March 30 | Anthem RC | Away | American Legion Memorial Stadium | Won, 46-32 |
| April 6 | RFC Los Angeles | Home | Maryland SoccerPlex | Draw, 22-22 |
| April 20 | Houston SaberCats | Home | Maryland SoccerPlex | Lost, 38-17 |
| April 26 | Utah Warriors | Away | Zions Bank Stadium | Lost, 31-24 |
| May 4 | Miami Sharks | Home | Maryland SoccerPlex | Won, 13-10 |
| May 11 | Chicago Hounds | Away | SeatGeek Stadium | Won, 22-21 |
| May 24 | Seattle Seawolves | Away | Starfire Sports Complex | Lost, 26-24 |
| June 1 | Anthem RC | Home | Maryland SoccerPlex | Won, 47-29 |
| June 8 | New England Free Jacks | Home | Maryland SoccerPlex | Lost, 31-30 |
| June 14 | Dallas Jackals | Away | Choctaw Stadium | Won, 36-34 |
| June 22 | Miami Sharks | Away | Chase Stadium | Lost, 17-12 |
| June 29 | NOLA Gold | Home | Maryland SoccerPlex | Won, 27-24 |
Postseason
edit| Round | Date | Opponent | Home/Away | Location | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Semi-Final | July 20 | New England Free Jacks | Away | Veterans Memorial Stadium | Lost, 33-29 |
Notes
edit- ^ 2020 regular season shortened and playoffs cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- ^ The Arrows temporarily relocated for the 2021 season due to COVID-19 border crossing concerns.
- ^ Match abandoned at halftime due to hazardous weather conditions.
References
edit- ^ Neibauer, Michael (May 17, 2018). "Two local business leaders may field professional D.C. rugby team". Washington Business Journal.
- ^ Pengelly, Martin (May 15, 2018). "Washington DC team to enter Major League Rugby 'no later' than 2020". The Guardian.
- ^ Rowe, James (November 3, 2018). "Toronto Officially Joins Major League Rugby For 2019; Washington, DC In 2020". The Runner Sports.
- ^ "Scottish Rugby take minority stake in new U.S. team". ESPN. Reuters. March 28, 2019. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
- ^ McCay, Chris (29 March 2022). "Head Coach Andrew Douglas to Depart Old Glory DC". Old Glory DC. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
- ^ "Old Glory parts ways with Head Coach Andrew Douglas". Americas Rugby News. 29 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
- ^ Allen, Hope (April 2022). "Old Glory DC Names Nate Osborne Interim Head Coach". Old Glory DC. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
- ^ "Old Glory DC Announces Joshua "Josh" Syms as Head Coach". Old Glory DC. Retrieved 2022-10-31.
- ^ "Josh Syms to depart DC for Italy". Americas Rugby News. 24 May 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
- ^ "Old Glory slides past Gold to book first ever playoff spot". Americas Rugby News. 3 June 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
- ^ "Simon Cross Named Head Coach of Old Glory DC". Old Glory DC. July 7, 2023. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
- ^ Mosley, Kyle T. (13 June 2023). "Earth, Wind, and Fire's Verdine White Ventures Into Sports Ownership". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
- ^ "New home field for Old Glory DC in MLR 2024". Americas Rugby News. September 6, 2023.
- ^ Augenstein, Neal (October 22, 2020). "Pro rugby team Old Glory DC moving to Loudoun County". WTOP-FM. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
- ^ "Old Glory DC Announces the Maryland Soccerplex as Our Home Venue for the 2024 Major League Rugby Season". Old Glory DC. September 6, 2023. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
- ^ "Old Glory DC". Americas Rugby News. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
- ^ "MAJOR LEAGUE RUGBY SUSPENDS 2020 SEASON FOR 30 DAYS". Major League Rugby. March 12, 2020. Retrieved March 14, 2020.
- ^ "Major League Rugby cancels remainder of 2020 campaign". Yahoo! Sports. Agence France-Presse. March 19, 2020. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
- ^ "2022 Old Glory Preseason Schedule". Retrieved 4 January 2022.
- ^ "2022 Match Schedule". Retrieved 4 January 2022.