There’s only upwards to go for Anthem in 2026. After two winless seasons, the Charlotte-based franchise will look to new leadership and a revamped roster to finally grab an elusive first victory. While other rosters are open to debate, there’s no doubt this is Anthem’s most competitive squad to date.
Agustín ‘Cuca’ Cavalieri continues as Head Coach after taking over from Alama Ieremia for the last five games of 2025. He was recently installed as Forwards Coach for the senior USA side, so will already be familiar to many of his leading recruits. It should come as no surprise that the most significant upgrades to the squad come up front.
| ROSTER |
FRONT ROW
| 2025 | 2026 | |
| #1 LOOSEHEAD PROP |
Dan Hanson (D) Quinton Tindel (D) Jake Turnbull (D) |
Elias Garza (D) Alessandro Heaney (D) Payton Telea-Ilalio (D) |
| #2 HOOKER |
Ethan Howard (D) Connor Robinson (D) Neil Trainor (D) |
Ramiro Gurovich (I) Campbell Robb (P) Seth Smith (D) |
| #3 TIGHTHEAD PROP |
Joe Apikotoa (I) Stephan Bernal-Wendt (D) Alex Hernandez (D) Alex Maughan (D) |
Alex Hernandez (D) Oliver Kane (D) Alex Maughan (D) |
It’s all change at loosehead prop, where former skipper Jake Turnbull has departed for Chicago. Dan Hanson is now coaching at Trine University, and Quinton Tindel is employed outside of rugby.
Eagles squad member Payton Telea-Ilalio arrives from San Diego and will presumably be first choice. His main challenge will come from Alessandro Heaney, a regular starter for LA last year who has been playing with Cornish Pirates in the RFU Championship in recent months. USA u23 select Elias Garza is a rookie on loan from Chicago, who picked him at No6 overall in the draft.
Hooker will also be filled with new faces as all of Connor Robinson, Ethan Howard, and Neil Trainor have left the club. Robinson has moved to Old Glory, Howard has been playing with the Hounds development side, and Trainor returned to Canada and is playing for James Bay in the BC Premier League.
Bringing much-needed experience to the No2 shirt is Ramiro Gurovich. Though he’s still young in front row terms, the 26-year-old has already represented Argentina’s second-senior national side having come up through the national age-grade system. Gurovich was the starting hooker for the Pampas in Super Rugby Americas last season.
Second in line is USA u20 star Seth Smith, who arrives from Houston. He’ll see plenty of game time as he works his way towards senior Eagles contention. Draft pick Campbell Robb, originally from New Zealand, was a standout at Central Washington University and represented USA u23s this past year.
At tighthead prop there is continuity with both Alex Maughan and Alex Hernandez returning. Maughan, however, was often second-choice behind now-departed Tongan international Joe Apikotoa. Both Hernandez and San Diego recruit Oliver Kane are imposing physical specimens that USA selectors will be hoping can push the veteran Maughan for the starting role.
SECOND ROW
| 2025 | 2026 | |
| #4/5 LOCK |
Shawn Clark (D) Sam Golla (D) Mikey Grandy (D) Rhys Mitchell (D) Puna Vuli (I) |
Sam Golla (D) Johan Momsen (I) Will Sherman (D) James Scott (I) |
The engine room was in need of reinforcement, and that has certainly come in the form of James Scott and Johan Momsen. Both rank among the very best second rowers in the league over the past two seasons, with Scott arriving from Chicago and Momsen from Houston. The signing of Scott, in his third MLR campaign, suggests the former England u20 man could be eyeing a test future for the USA.
Last year’s skipper Sam Golla is fit again after off-season shoulder surgery. That likely means one of Golla or Momsen slots in on the blindside flank. UCLA star Will Sherman was selected at 1st overall in the draft and has bulked up in the months since. He can also play lock or flanker and was the main lineout caller for the USA u23s during their South Africa tour.
BACK ROW
| 2025 | 2026 | |
| #6/7 FLANKER |
Makeen Alikhan (D) Alejandro Martinez Tapia (D) Alby O’Shannessey (D) Graeme Pedegana (D) |
Makeen Alikhan (D) Alejandro Martinez Tapia (D) Moni Tonga’uiha (D) |
| #8 EIGHTMAN |
Dylan Fortune (D) Michael Ma’afu (D) Colin Turner (D) |
Marques Fuala’au (D) Baden Godfrey (I) |
Only flanker duo Makeen Alikhan and Alejandro Martinez Tapia return from last season’s loose forward stable. Ex-NOLA captain Moni Tonga’uiha brings leadership and grit to the side of the scrum, while versatile Marques Fuala’au arrives from Miami. Baden Godfrey is new to MLR, having been part of training squads with the Australia u20 and senior sevens sides.
Godfrey looks a useful ball carrier and could well earn the starting No8 shirt. It seems likely to be occupied by Tonga’uiha or Alikhan at the start of the campaign, with one of the locks wearing No6. Simply having legitimate options and competition for spots is a clear step ahead from years past.
HALFBACKS
| 2025 | 2026 | |
| #9 SCRUMHALF |
Carlo de Nysschen (D) Karl Keane (D) Ishy Safodien (D) |
Zion Going (D) Karl Keane (D) Ishy Safodien (D) |
| #10 FLYHALF |
Cam Gerlach (D) Cliven Loubser (I) |
Luke Carty (D) Tom Pittman (D) |
Flyhalf has largely been a throwaway spot for Anthem, with no genuine Eagles contenders in the No10 shirt over the past two seasons. That will change in 2026 with the arrival of Luke Carty from NOLA. It’s effectively his shirt to lose though Tom Pittman took his first international steps this past year. Pittman arrives from France with good footballing skills and is also in the mix for the starting No12 shirt.
Rotation looks most likely at scrumhalf. Karl Keane was invited to Eagles alignment camp last month and has strong kicking skills. South African Ishy Safodien is more of an attacking threat around the fringes. Zion Going was a starter with Utah last season and brings unique physical qualities, having filled in at center and even flanker for the Warriors on occasion.
MIDFIELD
| 2025 | 2026 | |
| #12/13 CENTER |
Watson Filikitonga (D) EJ Freeman (D) Mateo Gadsden (D) Junior Gafa (D) Erich Storti (D) |
EJ Freeman (D) Junior Gafa (D) Will Leonard (D) Erich Storti (D) |
The main three midfield options return in Junior Gafa, Erich Storti, and EJ Freeman. Storti played fullback for the Eagles but looks far more comfortable at center. Will Leonard is an MLR veteran who is known for his punishing defense and powerful north-south running style.
While Gafa and Storti are the incumbent duo, Cavalieri will be keeping his options open. If Carty wears No10 as expected, there’s a decent chance Pittman slots in at inside center with Storti on his outside and Gafa bringing impact off the bench. Freeman took his opportunities well in 2025 and could make things difficult for the selectors if he shows up in top condition.
| 2025 | 2026 | |
| #11/14 WING |
Toby Fricker (D) Conner Mooneyham (D) Corbin Smith (D) Ashawnty Staples (D) Jason Tidwell (D) |
Malacchi Esdale (D) Conner Mooneyham (D) Julian Roberts (D) |
| #15 FULLBACK |
Line Latu (D) Mitch Wilson (D) |
Jeron Pantor (D) Jordan Trainor (I) |
The outside backs have been a position of relative strength for Anthem on attack, but not always on defense. Jordan Trainor’s arrival from Utah is a big plus. The former New Zealand u20 select is a classy operator going forward and a strong organizer at the back. He’ll be flanked by wingers Malacchi Esdale and Conner Mooneyham, both of whom are lethal finishers. Esdale was underappreciated by Seattle but the former Eagles 7s flyer should get the first crack at the No11 shirt.
Julian Roberts is a creative attacker with a useful left boot who joins from NOLA. He can cover wing, fullback, or even flyhalf if needed. Trinidadian Jeron Pantor missed the entirety of last season with a knee injury. He has similar versatility to Roberts, but is most at home as a fullback.
Mitch Wilson returned to New England and was followed by Line Latu. Toby Fricker had been playing for Bristol Bears but it’s unclear where his future is. Jason Tidwell signed for Chicago, and Corbin Smith will play for California after spending recent months in England.
| POSSIBLE STARTERS |
| #1 | #2 | #3 |
 |
 |
 |
| Payton Telea-Ilalio |
Ramiro Gurovich |
Alex Maughan |
| Domestic | International | Domestic |
| USA Eagles 7 caps | Argentina XV | USA Eagles 8 caps |
| #4 | #5 |
 |
 |
| James Scott |
Sam Golla |
| International | Domestic |
| England u20 | USA Eagles 8 caps |
| #6 | #8 | #7 |
 |
 |
 |
| Johan Momsen |
Moni Tonga’uiha |
Makeen Alikhan |
| International | Domestic | Domestic |
| USA Eagles 9 caps | USA Eagles 7 caps |
| #9 | #10 |
 |
 |
| Karl Keane |
Luke Carty |
| Domestic | Domestic |
| USA Falcons | USA Eagles 25 caps |
| #12 | #13 |
 |
 |
| Tom Pittman |
Erich Storti |
| Domestic | Domestic |
| USA Eagles 3 caps | USA Eagles 9 caps |
| #11 | #15 | #14 |
 |
 |
 |
| Malacchi Esdale |
Jordan Trainor |
Conner Mooneyham |
| Domestic | International | Domestic |
| USA Eagles 7s | New Zealand u20 | USA Eagles 7 caps |
| 2026 SEASON OUTLOOK |
On paper it’s easy to predict this will be Anthem’s best season to date, but what does that mean in a short 10-game season? One win? Two or three? The other teams are at least as strong and every game counts towards playoff rankings. While Anthem are no longer an easy contest, they also won’t see many – if any – weakened lineups this year.
Much will depend on getting the basics right. The lineout should be stronger with Gurovich, Scott, and Momsen all big pickups, and there is pace on the wings. There is less certainty about the scrum, and one feels if this team is to exceed expectations they’ll need a big season from Carty. Look for this team to grow over the course of the campaign but a postseason berth would be a surprise.
A detailed squad list can be seen here.
The post MLR 2026 – ARN Season Guide – Anthem Rugby Carolina appeared first on Americas Rugby News.
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