A review of the Free Jacks and Old Glory ahead of the Eastern Conference Semi Final.

This Saturday will mark the third time that the Free Jacks face Old Glory in the 2024 MLR season. Free Jacks, MLR’s Eastern Conference No. 1 Seed, clinched the home semi final after ending the regular season top of the Eastern Conference for the third year in a row. In this article we will explore the teams road to playoffs and take a look at both the Free Jacks and Old Glory head to head.

Free Jacks: Tries, Triumph and Tough Trials

After returning home from Chicago with the MLR Shield in 2023, the New England Free Jacks set their sights on building another championship-winning team. The offseason strategy was clear: maintain as much of the championship-winning roster as possible. With the highest player retention rate in the league, the Free Jacks looked poised for another stellar season.

The season kicked off with a bang as the Free Jacks triumphed over Major League Rugby’s newest team, Anthem Rugby Carolina. However, the jubilation was short-lived. In the home opener, the team fell short against Old Glory D.C., marking their first home loss since 2021. This early stumble didn’t deter the squad, who quickly regrouped and refocused on their championship goals.

The injury bug bit the free Jacks hard and fast during the regular season. Round 3 and 8 home matches against NOLA and Seattle saw the losses of John Poland and Wian Conradie to season ending injuries.

By Round 9, the Free Jacks were gaining momentum. They headed into a fixture against Los Angeles with four solid wins in a row and only one narrow loss to the two-time MLR champions, the Seattle Seawolves. The Free Jacks dominated LA with a convincing 34-12 victory, but the win came at a cost. Star player Reece MacDonald suffered a shoulder injury, sidelining him for six weeks, and captain Mitch Jacobson picked up a shoulder injury in the latter stages of the game. These mid-season setbacks culminated in a surprise loss to the MLR’s newest franchise, Miami.

Despite the challenges, the Free Jacks’ depth and strategic mid-season transfers allowed them to bounce back. The resilience and tenacity of the squad, bolstered by fresh replacements in Jed Melvin, Oscar Lennon and Toby Fricker, ensured the Free Jacks returned to full strength and secured their place in the 2024 Playoffs as the Conference leader.

Free Jacks Legacy

Free Jacks’ all-time record is 49-20 (5 seasons) 

Free Jacks are 38-10 over the last two seasons 

Free Jacks have given up the fewest points in MLR play at 344 points

Free Jacks have outscored Old Glory 463 to 394 in 2024 MLR season

Conference Semi Final: A Historical head-to-head

Old Glory, Eastern Conference No. 4 Seed, will be heading to “Fort Quincy” on Saturday with some confidence after beating Conference No. 2 seed, NOLA Gold, in the last round of the regular season. With a Conference Championship to play for, and the knowledge that the last two matches that these clubs met came down to a single point, both teams will be looking back at their season and the long history between the two clubs in order to prepare for a hard fought action packed match. Read the full match preview here

The last time the two clubs met Free Jacks narrowly snatched victory away from Old Glory with a 13-point comeback on the road. Despite DC’s strong start and second-half lead, the Free Jacks controlled much of the play in the tightly contested match, winning 31-30. (Read more …)

While earlier in the season, at the Free Jacks home opener, Free Jacks came up short by just one point, 35-34. It was a thrilling match with DC earning the walk-off win. (Read more…)

Match Up History

This weekend marks the 10th meeting of these two Major League Rugby veteran clubs, with New England holding a commanding  7 wins to  2 loss record against DC heading into the July 20th Conference Semi Final. 

July 20th  2024  — Conference Semifinal  TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW

June 8th  2024  — Free Jacks 31, Old Glory 30 (Maryland Soccerplex, Germantown) 

March 9th 2024 — Free Jacks 34, Old Glory DC 35 (Veterans Memorial Stadium) 

July 1st 2023 — Free Jacks 25, Old Glory DC 7 (Veterans Memorial Stadium) 

May 14th 2023 — Free Jacks 42, Old Glory DC 24 (Segra Field) 

March 11th 2023 — Free Jacks 34, Old Glory DC 31 (Veterans Memorial Stadium) 

May 7th 2022 — Free Jacks 26, Old Glory DC 20 (Veterans Memorial Stadium) 

Feb 18th 2022 — Free Jacks 41, Old Glory DC 25 (Segra Field) 

June 6th 2021 — Free Jacks 38, Old Glory DC 34 (Union Point Stadium) 

April 25th 2021 — Free Jacks 22, Old Glory DC 35, (Segra Field)

Old Glory: Regular Season Stats Review

As Old Glory D.C. continues their campaign in Major League Rugby, the team has shown both formidable strengths and notable weaknesses. Here’s a closer look at the key aspects defining their season so far:

Strengths

Dominant Lineout Play
Old Glory D.C. has established themselves as a force in the lineout, both in possession and on defense. This prowess is underscored by the fact that they currently have two players ranked in the top five for lineout steals. Their ability to disrupt opposing lineouts and secure their own ball has been a cornerstone of their game strategy.

Effective Kicking Game
The kicking game has been another area of strength for D.C., with Jason Robertson leading the charge. Robertson is the only player to score points from a drop goal this season, showcasing his unique skill set. Additionally, he ranks second in the league with 19 successful penalty kicks, consistently punishing teams for their infractions and keeping the scoreboard ticking over for Old Glory.

Weaknesses

Potential Fatigue and Lack of Depth
One of the significant concerns for Old Glory D.C. is the heavy workload shouldered by a few key players. Four of the top ten players with the most minutes played this season are from D.C., including Lautaro Bavaro, Jason Robertson, Rob Harley, and Cory Gilliland-Daniel. This statistic could indicate a worn-out team as the season progresses, highlighting a potential lack of depth in the roster. The extended minutes might lead to fatigue, raising questions about their ability to maintain high performance levels in the crucial stages of the season.

Struggles in Attack
Offensively, D.C. has had its challenges. The team lacks representation in several key attacking metrics: they have no players in the top 20 for tries scored, none in the top 10 for ball carries, and no one in the top 10 for meters carried. This struggle to make significant attacking inroads could be a critical weakness as they face stronger defensive units.

Discipline Issues
Discipline has also been a problematic area for Old Glory D.C., with the team accruing two red cards and four yellow cards this season. These infractions not only put the team at a numerical disadvantage but also disrupt their momentum and game plans. Addressing these discipline issues will be crucial if they hope to compete at the highest level and avoid costly penalties.

Conclusion

Old Glory D.C.’s season has been a tale of two halves: a team that excels in certain aspects of the game but struggles in others. Their strong lineout play and effective kicking are significant assets, yet fatigue, a lack of depth, and offensive struggles pose serious challenges. Discipline on the field remains an area in need of improvement. As they move forward, balancing these strengths and weaknesses will be key to their success in the latter part of the season.

What to expect this weekend: 

Expect a thrilling match this weekend at Veterans Memorial Stadium, as both encounters between the two teams during the regular season came down to a one point difference; the first one in Quincy ending 35-34 for the visitors, while the second one in DC finished 31-30 for New England.

DC is a tough and direct team, with a big forward pack that excels in the set-piece, through front rowers Steven Longwell and Jack Iscaro, combined with their back row combination of Faanana-Schultz, Daniel, and Bavaro. Their backline has experienced players and likes to control territory through their accurate kicking game. Keep an eye out for flyhalf Jason Robertson and winger Axel Müller.

Read the Full match Preview Here

The Conference Semifinal kicks off from Veterans Memorial Stadium at 10am on July 20th. Before the Free Jacks match, watch the NERFU Summer Sevens Championships, grab a beer at the Wallop! Beer Fest, listen to Live Music Turn It Up!

Gates open at 10am, kick-off starts at 5 p.m. so get to Fort Quincy early to enjoy the full day of festivities. Buy your tickets here! The match will be broadcast on FS1 and The Rugby Network.

For more opportunities to engage with the Free Jacks community, stay updated on future Free Jacks matches, festivals, and announcements through the Free Jacks’ news page: www.freejacks.com/news