MLR 2024: San Diego Legion vs Anthem Carolina

Anthem makes their first trip to Southern California on Sunday afternoon when they take on the Legion at Snapdragon Stadium. The expansion side are still dreaming of their first franchise victory, while their hosts have eyes on a home Quarter Final with Seattle just five points ahead.

CURRENT STANDINGS

8-4-0 (W2) West 3rd

0-12-0 (L12) East 6th

STARTING LINEUP CHANGES

1 Nathan Sylvia replaces Djustice Sears-Duru
2 Hugh Roach replaces Chris Mickelson
3 Darcy Breen replaces Luke Green
4 Isaac Ross replaces Jay Tuivaiti
6 Vili Helu replaces Christian Poidevin
7 Paddy Ryan replaces Blair Cowan
8 Tupou Afungia replaces Tevita Tameilau
9 Danny Christensen replaces Connor Tupai
10 Lincoln McClutchie replaces Matt Giteau
11 James Vaifale replaces Ryan James
13 Ethan Grayson replaces Ma’a Nonu
14 Filimoni Waqainabete replaces Tomas Aoake
15 Mikey Te’o replaces Marcel Brache

1 Dan Hanson replaces Jake Turnbull
2 Jack Manzo replaces Connor Robinson
4 Logan Weidner replaces James Rivers
5 Reagan Leslie replaces Lucas Gramlick
7 Sione Latu replaces Alby O’Shannessey
8 Michael Ma’afu replaces Joe Basser (No6 vs DC)
15 Steffan Crimp replaces Oscar Koller (No10 vs DC)

CAPPED INTERNATIONALS

(8) – Sylvia, Peterson, Helu, Ryan, Te’o, Boyer (USA), Ross (New Zealand), Sears-Duru (Canada)

(3) – Apikotoa (Tonga), Loubser (Namibia), Alosio (Samoa)

CLUB DEBUTS

(1) – Brandon Harvey*

* – MLR debut

NOTABLE ABSENTEES

– Faka’osi Pifeleti (LH), Luke Green (TH), Christian Poidevin (FL), Blair Cowan (FL), Connor Tupai (SH), Matt Giteau (FH), Ma’a Nonu (CE), Marcel Brache (CE/FB), Ryan James (WI), Tomas Aoake (WI)

– Jake Turnbull (LH), Declan Moore (HO), Conor McManus (SH)

NOTES

Danny Lee has rotated almost the entirety of the Legion’s lineup with only two players retained in the run-on side from last week – Greg Peterson and Tiaan Loots… numerous veterans are rested to prepare for three bigger challenges in the final weeks of the regular season
Paddy Ryan gets his first start in a San Diego shirt… the US Eagles flanker has made two appearances as a replacement since arriving from England
Danny Christensen is rewarded for his good form off the bench with a first start for the Legion… the 33-year-old scrumhalf has previously suited up for Utah and Dallas… it’s the second start of the campaign for both wingers James Vaifale and Filimoni Waqainabete
Alama Ieremia has made six changes to the Anthem pack after the loss to DC… club captain Jake Turnbull is rested entirely for the first time this season, with tighthead prop Joe Apikotoa assuming the captaincy for the first time
the backline is largely intact with one personnel change… new arrival Steffan Crimp gets his first MLR start at fullback with Cliven Loubser switching to flyhalf
two Anthem players featured in the USA u20s win over Canada this past week – Dylan Fortune and Tevita Kutu… Graeme Pedegana was also in camp but did not see the field while Braemar Murray was named in the squad but missed out due to injury

PREDICTION

For the Legion this match is an opportunity for some fringe players to press their claim for a starting role heading towards the preseason. Even heavily rotated, it’s a formidable lineup with several internationals. Anthem will be hard-pressed to stop the free-flowing Legion attack with favorable conditions for running rugby on the forecast. San Diego are heavy favorites at home.

LINEUPS

SAN DIEGO LEGION
1 Nathan Sylvia, 2 Hugh Roach, 3 Darcy Breen, 4 Isaac Ross, 5 Greg Peterson (capt.), 6 Vili Helu, 7 Paddy Ryan, 8 Tupou Afungia, 9 Danny Christensen, 10 Lincoln McClutchie, 11 James Vaifale, 12 Tiaan Loots, 13 Ethan Grayson, 14 Filimoni Waqainabete, 15 Mikey Te’o

Replacements: 16 Cyrille Cama, 17 Djustice Sears-Duru, 18 Oliver Kane, 19 Brandon Harvey, 20 Aminae Amiatu-Tanoi, 21 Finn Kearns, 22 Nick Boyer, 23 Josh Henderson

ANTHEM CAROLINA
1 Dan Hanson, 2 Jack Manzo, 3 Joe Apikotoa (capt.), 4 Logan Weidner, 5 Reagan Leslie, 6 Shneil Singh, 7 Sione Latu, 8 Michael Ma’afu, 9 Sean Yacoubian, 10 Cliven Loubser, 11 Te Rangatira Waitokia, 12 Junior Gafa, 13 Sebastien Zaridze, 14 Cael Hodgson, 15 Steffan Crimp

Replacements: 16 Connor Robinson, 17 Ivan Pula, 18 Stephan Bernal-Wendt, 19 Lucas Gramlick, 20 Joe Basser, 21 Siaosi Nai, 22 Oscar Koller, 23 Tomasi Alosio

MATCH INFO

Date: Sunday, June 9
Venue: Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego
Kickoff: 13:00 local (16:00 Eastern)
Weather Forecast: cloudy, 68°F (20°C), wind SW 10-15mph (16-24km/h)
Broadcasts: Fox Sports 1, The Rugby Network