The clock is ticking for Anthem to secure a first-ever franchise win before their season comes to a close. Chicago though arrive in Charlotte on Saturday with only victory in mind. The Hounds have lost two in a row and need maximum points to have any shot at catching the Free Jacks for top spot in the East, and at a minimum move away from DC and Miami for second seed heading into the postseason.
| CURRENT STANDINGS |
0-13-0 (L13) East 6th
8-5-0 (L2) East 3rd
| STARTING LINEUP CHANGES |
|
IN | OUT |
| 3 | Alex Hernandez | Joe Apikotoa |
| 7 | Makeen Alikhan | Alby O’Shannessey |
| 8 | Graeme Pedegana | Dylan Fortune |
| 10 | Cam Gerlach | Cliven Loubser |
| 13 | Erich Storti | EJ Freeman |
| 15 | Mitch Wilson | Jason Tidwell |
|
IN | OUT |
| 5 | Hamish Bain | Mason Flesch |
| 6 | Tavius Sykora-Matthess | Conall Boomer |
| 12 | Noah Flesch | Ollie Devoto |
| CAPPED INTERNATIONALS |
(7) – Turnbull, Golla, Grandy, Fricker, Storti, Wilson (USA), Loubser (Namibia)
(12) – Pifeleti, Fawsitt, Campbell, Brown, White, Baska (USA), Rumball, Higgins, Flesch, Oworu (Canada), Hilsenbeck (Germany), Péculo (Uruguay)
| NOTABLE ABSENTEES |
– Alex Maughan (HO/TH), Joe Apikotoa (TH), Conner Mooneyham (WI)
– Mason Flesch (FL), Mitch Short (SH), Ollie Devoto (CE)
| PREDICTION |
On paper it’s a somewhat strong Anthem lineup this week, with Alikhan, Storti, and Wilson all key additions. The decision to leave first choice flyhalf Cliven Loubser on the bench is curious, however, and both tighthead options are inexperienced. The Hounds have opted to rest a couple tired bodies but have otherwise sent a very capable team to get the job done. Chicago are clear favorites on the road.
| LINEUPS |
ANTHEM CAROLINA
1 Jake Turnbull, 2 Connor Robinson, 3 Alex Hernandez, 4 Sam Golla (capt.), 5 Mikey Grandy, 6 Alejandro Martinez Tapia, 7 Makeen Alikhan, 8 Graeme Pedegana, 9 Karl Keane, 10 Cam Gerlach, 11 Toby Fricker, 12 Junior Gafa, 13 Erich Storti, 14 Corbin Smith, 15 Mitch Wilson
Replacements: 16 Ethan Howard, 17 Dan Hanson, 18 Stephan Bernal-Wendt, 19 Puna Vuli, 20 Dylan Fortune, 21 Ishy Safodien, 22 Cliven Loubser, 23 Mateo Gadsden
CHICAGO HOUNDS
1 Faka’osi Pifeleti, 2 Dylan Fawsitt, 3 Charlie Abel, 4 James Scott, 5 Hamish Bain, 6 Tavius Sykora-Matthess, 7 Maclean Jones, 8 Lucas Rumball (capt.), 9 Jason Higgins, 10 Christopher Hilsenbeck, 11 Peyton Wall, 12 Noah Flesch, 13 Bryce Campbell, 14 Noah Brown, 15 Tim Swiel
Replacements: 16 Janus Venter, 17 Liam Fletcher, 18 Ignacio Péculo, 19 Luke White, 20 Matthew Oworu, 21 Michael Baska, 22 Adriaan Carelse, 23 Julián Domínguez
| MATCH INFO |
Date: Saturday, May 24
Venue: American Legion Memorial Stadium, Charlotte
Kickoff: 19:00 local (16:00 Pacific, 18:00 Central)
Weather Forecast: partly cloudy, 77°F (25°C), wind W 5-7mph (8-11km/h)
Broadcasts: ESPN+, Fox Chicago+, Sky Sports NZ, The Rugby Network
| OFFICIALS |
Referee: Marquise Goodwin (USA)
Assistants: Jacob Gonzales (USA) & Dave Edwards (USA)
TMO: Derek Summers (USA)
| HISTORY |
HEAD-TO-HEAD (3) – Chicago 3, Carolina 0
2025-04-13 – Chicago Hounds 28, Anthem Carolina 20 (SeatGeek Stadium)
2024-06-22 – Anthem Carolina 29, Chicago Hounds 38 (American Legion Stadium)
2024-04-14 – Chicago Hounds 59, Anthem Carolina 26 (SeatGeek Stadium)
The post MLR 2025: Anthem Carolina vs Chicago Hounds – ARN Guide appeared first on Americas Rugby News.
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