New York Metropolis has a championship caliber staff on its palms — and no, it’s not the Yankees or Mets.
Rugby New York is making ready set to face off in opposition to the Seattle Seawolves within the Main League Rugby championship sport on Saturday at Pink Bull Area. Protection of the nationally televised battle will start on Fox at 12 p.m. Jap.
The league, now in its fifth season, constitutes the best degree of rugby competitors on American soil. What started as seven groups has now developed to 13 scattered throughout main markets in america and Canada.
For New York and Seattle, the street to an opportunity on the MLR Defend — an 80-pound trophy made from carbon and titanium metal — has not been simple. The 16 sport, 18-week season has been rife with punishing hits, surprising scandals and unbelievable upsets.
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Coming off a powerful common season through which they completed 11-5 and third within the Jap Convention, Rugby New York entered the postseason seeking to win their first playoff sport since MLR’s inaugural season in 2018. After dropping consecutive convention championships in 2019 and 2021, CEO Ric Salizzo and his staff have been decided to make a deep run in 2022.
Rugby New York got down to redeem their consecutive convention championship losses.Getty Pictures for Rugby New York
“Once you lose two convention finals within the final second by one or two factors, it begins to harm you, and when it hurts you be taught,” Salizzo informed The Put up. “Once we went on to the playoffs this yr, we have been fairly decided that didn’t occur once more.”
Positive sufficient, New York defeated Rugby ATL 26-19 within the Jap Eliminator. Rugby ATL was the identical staff that ousted Rugby New York from the playoffs final yr. One week later, New York upset the No. 1 seed New England Free Jacks — who led the league in factors and wins — 24-16 within the Jap Convention ultimate.
Similar to that, Rugby New York punched their ticket to the championship sport. Earlier than settling into JFK Stadium in Hoboken this season, Salizzo struggled to even discover a place for his staff to play.
Rugby New York and the Seattle Seawolves beforehand performed in Might. Getty Pictures for Rugby New York
“In the beginning of final season, we have been digging ourselves out of snow so we might discover someplace to coach,” Salizzo mentioned. “We didn’t have a floor due to COVID — it closed off all of the grounds the place we usually performed.
“Right here we at the moment are on the point of run out on Pink Bull Stadium and play within the MLR championship ultimate. So it’s been a very fascinating journey with plenty of twists and turns, however … it’s led us to the appropriate place.”
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Seattle’s journey so far was much more unlikely. The Seawolves have been mathematically eradicated from playoff rivalry following a lackluster 9-7 season, however obtained a miracle berth after Austin Gilgronis and L.A. Giltinis have been disqualified for undisclosed guidelines violations. Seattle, the 2018 and 2019 champ, didn’t let their golden alternative go to waste, reaching the championship by beating the San Diego Legion 43-19 and the Houston SaberCats 46-27.
Main League Rugby is the best degree of rugby in America. Getty Pictures for Rugby New York
“They’re going to be a hell of an opponent,” Salizzo mentioned of the Seawolves. “They’ve obtained an enormous highly effective group of forwards … and actually quick, thrilling backs, so we all know we’ve obtained an actual problem on our palms.”
Salizzo is aware of, nonetheless, that his guys can be as much as the check. Rugby New York sports activities many formidable stars, together with Rugby World Cup Champion Andy Ellis, New Zealand-born Will Tucker (who’s set to face off in opposition to his brother Brad within the championship) and homegrown abilities Connor Buckley, John Powers and Nick Civetta. For Civetta, a Scarsdale native, taking part in for his hometown staff is a dream come true.
“I all the time had it behind my thoughts that if I might play at dwelling, I might completely soar on the alternative,” Civetta mentioned. “So to have skilled rugby right here and to be round household has been nice, and I’ve actually loved each second of it.”
Enjoying alongside Buckley and Powers, longtime residents of Rockaway, Queens, and Xavier Excessive Faculty graduates, is icing on the cake.
“They add a lot New York taste to the staff,” Civetta mentioned. “You possibly can see them bettering week in week out. They’ve been so spectacular, and infrequently they create in bagels, which makes me comfortable and retains the boys comfortable.”
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It stays to be seen if celebratory New York bagels are in retailer Saturday night time.
The New York Jets offense needs a jolt. Well, it’s actually needed it for a while.
While New York (3-8) has some good numbers on paper, it hasn’t translated in the win column this season as the Jets have lost seven of their last eight games since a 2-1 start. Now, they prepare to face Seattle on Sunday.
Yeah, little has worked out. That’s why the Jets are looking for a new head coach and general manager after the season. Well, the offense isn’t the ONLY reason.
Seattle (6-5) enters the game with a playoff berth on the line, as the Seahawks are tied for the lead in the NFC West and hold a tiebreaker over Arizona. But, the division’s other two rivals are one game back. So, every win matters to Seattle right now.
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Here are the offensive players to watch for both teams entering Sunday’s game.
QB Aaron Rodgers
So now Rodgers isn’t sure if he’ll play in 2025, but he says his first choice is to play for the Jets. Whether the Jets want him back will be up to new leadership.
Right now, Rodgers has 2,442 yards passing with 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Those are solid numbers, but not the numbers he would post in his prime. In other words, the Jets paid for more.
He’s taken 26 sacks and he’s not a threat to throw downfield. Scheming for Rodgers is easier defensively, which means play-caller Todd Downing needs to get more creative to put the soon-to-be 41-year-old in position to make plays.
WR Garrett Wilson
Wilson’s goal is to cross 1,000 yards receiving for the third time in his career. There’s no reason to think it won’t happen. He has 69 receptions for 722 yards and five touchdowns, and he’s been targeted more than 100 times this season.
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He’s not racking up many yards per catch, but he’s in line for the best year of his career as long as he continues to play to his season averages. New leadership will decide if he gets his fifth-year contract option. The answer, obviously, should be yes.
RB Braelon Allen
Breece Hall’s status is unclear as he’s dealing with an injury he suffered against Indianapolis. That could allow the Jets to hand more carries to their rookie.
Allen has rushed 62 times for 229 yards and two touchdowns and in stretches he’s shown real potential.
Hall is the clear No. 1, but as a non-first round pick, next season is his last under contract. A new general manager and head coach will decide Hall’s future, but the coaching staff would be smart to get Allen some additional reps down the stretch.
Hall was getting reps as of Thursday, so it’s encouraging that he’ll be available in some way.
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QB Geno Smith
The Jets know Smith well. Or, one should say the Jets know the old version of Smith. The new version is one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL.
He’s resurrected his career with the Seahawks, earning NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors and two Pro Bowl nods. He leads the NFL in completions and yards passing per game (275.9).
While he’s completing nearly 70% of his passes, one thing to note is that he’s thrown 12 interceptions. That’s in your area for the Jets to scheme for on Sunday.
RB Kenneth Walker III
Watching Walker play, one can’t be helped but be reminded of Hall. The pair are similar in that they’re as capable running the football as helping in the passing game.
Much of what Seattle wants to do offensively flows through the 24-year-old. He’s rushed for 493 yards and seven touchdowns, while also catching 36 passes for 274 yards and a touchdown. He’s been targeted 42 times, so he’s not likely to drop the football when it’s thrown his way.
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WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Seattle has a talented group of wide receivers, many of which are NFL veterans. But the young pup from Ohio State, the same alma mater as Wilson, is having a terrific season.
Smith-Njigba leads the Seahawks with 66 catches for 755 yards and four touchdowns. Like Wilson, he’s been targeted frequently, a team high 93 times.
D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett are more adept at stretching the field. So Smith-Njigba has emerged as a terrific possession target for Smith. Like Wilson, he will need to be monitored closely on Sunday.
One more step, and there’s a chance to win MLS Cup at home.
“You have two teams with championship pedigree. The biggest moment these two teams could play each other is this. It’s in a Western Conference Final, and anytime you have that formula, it can reignite a rivalry,” Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney said Tuesday.
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“This will be a hard-fought battle for both teams.”
Contrasting styles
Saturday will be the first time both sides have met in the Western Conference Final since 2014, the last year the five-time champion Galaxy captured the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy.
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This edition, though, couldn’t come at a better time for two sides that approach the game in very different ways.
Seattle were the best defensive team in MLS through the regular season, conceding a league-low 35 goals. Meanwhile, the Galaxy’s high-octane offense has scored a record 15 goals in three Audi MLS Cup Playoff matches – just two tallies short of the all-time postseason mark set by Toronto FC in 2017.
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To get to this point, the Sounders edged out the Houston Dynamo via two penalty kick shootouts in their Round One Best-of-3 series before beating perennial bogeymen LAFC, 2-1, in the conference semifinals.
The Galaxy have enjoyed an attacking explosion against the Colorado Rapids and Minnesota United, entering Saturday’s clash off a dominant 6-2 win over the Loons.
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“Whenever you talk about Seattle and playoffs in these times of the year, you have to talk about the culture that they have at the club, the grittiness, the resilience, the maturity. They’ve played in a lot of big games and won a lot of big games,” Vanney added, having ample experience against the Sounders from his days with Toronto, including an MLS Cup triumph in 2017.
“The culture is set with these guys. They work, and they grind, and they make things difficult.”
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Returning to the top
For the Galaxy, one of the league’s most watchable teams, it’s a chance to return to the MLS pinnacle.
Their potent attack, led by Riqui Puig, Gabriel Pec, Joseph Paintstil, and Dejan Joveljić, has powered them through the playoffs. Against a stingy Seattle side, they’ll rely on their stars once again.
“We’ve got to find ways to break them down,” Vanney said. “We’ll have to be cool with our scoring chances and finish our moments when we have them.”
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On Seattle’s end, it’s a return to the playoff stage they’ve regularly frequented since 2016. Qualifying for four MLS Cups, they’ve won twice from 2016-2020 and only hosted once.
“I think we all know who everyone wants to win and who everyone expects to win,” homegrown midfielder Obed Vargas said. “We take that as motivation. We have full confidence in ourselves.
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“We always knew we were a good team. We always knew that we could go far. It was just a matter of getting things to click and showing it.”
Despite being the slight underdog, there’s no doubt Seattle’s defensive approach is among the best in the postseason. Veteran goalkeeper Stefan Frei, 38, has turned back the years with 17 saves in his last two matches, while MLS Defender of the Year nominee Jackson Ragen has held down the backline, conceding twice in three playoff games.
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Now, the mission is clear: head down to SoCal for the second time in as many weeks, shut down the “Killa P’s” and secure a chance to play for a trophy at home.
“For everybody, we just want to win. You know, we are all competitive; we are all athletes,” defender Jon Bell said. “We know that there are two games left to the ultimate goal, which is winning MLS Cup, but we take it one game at a time.”
Seattle U Redhawks (2-4) at Duke Blue Devils (4-2)
Durham, North Carolina; Friday, 7 p.m. EST
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BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Blue Devils -27.5; over/under is 141.5
BOTTOM LINE: Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe and Seattle U take on Cooper Flagg and No. 11 Duke in non-conference play.
The Blue Devils are 3-0 on their home court. Duke ranks second in the ACC with 27.8 defensive rebounds per game led by Flagg averaging 7.2.
The Redhawks have gone 1-2 away from home. Seattle U is 0-1 in games decided by 3 points or fewer.
Duke averages 11.3 made 3-pointers per game, 4.3 more made shots than the 7.0 per game Seattle U allows. Seattle U averages 8.0 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.3 more made shots on average than the 6.7 per game Duke allows.
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TOP PERFORMERS: Flagg is shooting 45.8% and averaging 17.0 points for the Blue Devils.
Moncrieffe is averaging 14.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 1.8 steals for the Redhawks.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
