HIGHLIGHTS | 2023 MLR CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL | San Diego Legion vs. New England Free Jacks

New England Free Jacks defeat San Diego Legion in their first-ever MLR Championship at SeatGeek Stadium.

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[Samcity]

I'm from Australia and that was a pretty good game of Rugby to watch, the MLR is getting better and I hope the growth will improve in the near future. Goodluck 🤞🏼

[Samizouza]

What a way to finish for MLR, well played freejacks and tough luck again legion

[welshed]

Some good rugby played there. Keep it up guys. May MLR continue to grow! 🏉 🇺🇸

[Kawasakifreak]

Great final match of the best MLR season so far imo.

I'm so pleased for the Free Jacks who have been my pick all year - let's hope the stadium crowds start to grow to reflect the improving standard of Club Rugby in North America which needs & deserves more fans.

[andersonhill]

29 year old Brit here who has loved Rugby since the day my Dad sat me on his knee and introduced me to it. So glad this wonderful sport is growing across the pond! This was an incredible game! Keep this up and I can see a future where the US is a true force in international Rugby! Great stuff!

[jakesjacobs]

Wow well done MLR and USA Rugby! Quality rugby and high scoring game. Keep going! From South Africa 🏉

[andyanderson]

Rugby has come a long way in the USA great rugby.

[wernertukker]

Sorry to see Nonu had a shocker. 2 tries because of him and a fumble at the end. Quite ironic since he is the most experienced player in the league. Taking nothing away from him. He never had to go to the MLR and will forever be a pioneering world star to the league. I am a Saffa, I’ve always loved Nonu, and was hoping he could lift it as reward for his brave step into the unknown and help grow a quick rising league.

And the quality this season has been awesome to see. And it’s because someone as big as Nonu, came and brought the professionalism that the league has been crying out for. More will follow and within the next 5 years, there will be a global shift, with players in their prime, opting to go to America, instead of Europe.

I applaud the MLR and all the franchises for their commitment to see rugby, not only grow, but get a foothold in the American TV market. The product that they are putting out, is getting better and better each season. The stadiums also seem a bit fuller this season. As a rugby fan first and foremost, this delights me. It will permeate into the Eagles team in the next few years, and they will be at the World Cup in 2027. And I won’t be surprised if they do a Japan and reach the next round, .
And then of course 2031 Big William Webb will pay America a visit. By then, the MLR will be saturated with international players, right in the prime, and Rugby well impressed into the American sporting consciousness. Will it ever be bigger the Grid Iron. No.
But it doesn’t need to be. There is over 350 million Yanks. 10% is still more fans than some Tier 1 nations have people in their country. Lol
It’s insane the potential that is crying to be unleashed. And once it’s done and more and more rugby is shown on telly, that figure will rise to be at least 25% of that sporting consciousness, if not more.
Because you know.. it’s Rugby. 😉

Congrats New England. You deserve it after being the best team all season. Condolences to San Diego. So close, and probably the only team in the league that could beat New England. As they very nearly done.
Terrific final from both sets of players. Came down to not much in the end.
Go MLR and go Rugby!

[usarugbyleagueunionfan]

This final was glorious. One of if not the best ever. Congrats MLR for putting on a great show. What an ending. So depressed e we have no more MLR for a year. Need therapy for it.

[hikosaemon]

Doh, Nonu gave a lot more than he cost San Diego, but he had a shocking final two minutes....

[chupapi]

Hello from NZ. Love how the game has evolved so much over there, the boys are actually doing set plays off the ruck which is so cool to see. Sure there were flaws but I do genuinely believe USA will be a menace in the future International games! Looking forward to the next MLR season, watched a few videos on this channel and the games this comp has are so cool to watch

[joejamros]

This has to be one of the best MLR Championship Final in League history.

Looks like it was a great game. For a minute there I thought the drop goal was on for SD.

[wesselboshoff]

Sad to see that so few people attended the final. USA has the potential to be a giant in world rugby, but with support and coverage lacking, they will unfortunately remain a tier 2 nation. Great game for the neutral though

[JaemanEdwards]

Great game. Congrats to the new USA Champions. What a fairytale rise for the New England Freejacks. What even is a freejack ?

Maa Nonu had a mixed game, but showed a deft touch to set up a try. Also cost a try.

Still the GOAT nonetheless.

Great to see the legend still plying his trade and playing in finals.

[Kariraa]

@USMLR Your description says: San Diego Legion defeats the New England Free Jacks in their first-ever MLR Championship at SeatGeek Stadium...might want to change that

[FrankyMarinino]

If you can manage half a stadium thats hard to get to, i would say this league has staying power.

[Noobkx]

First, Ma'a did not lose the game for the legion. That's ridiculous. I don't know what the turnover stat was for the Legion by the time the game was over, but they executed pretty poorly at times and throughout the game were generally careless with the ball. Legion were kind of living and dying with the big play.

If there was a play that could maybe be pointed out as a singular moment when the Legion lost, it was not executing the drop kick at the end when they had the chance to try for one. But even then I would not say that's the reason they lost.

New England just grinded out a win against what was probably the better team. The Legion just did not play like the better team on that day.

I can't stand NE sports because I'm just tired of them winning everything under the sun here in the states. But props to them for a gritty win and congrats on the chip. It was a good game and good TV, thanks to both teams for putting on a show. Go Houston 2024!

[kvk_tui]

Can't wait for the start of the 2024 season

[RhydderchApRheged-rhsj]

Now that was a game of rugby. Loved watching it. I actually kind of like Legion’s fly-half’s decision to fake the DG and then run to the wing, it got them closer, but from there it should’ve been pick and goes to the line and the dg. Not complaining though, I wanted New England to win.