Photo credit: Claudio Rodriguez – Chief Photographer

By: Alex Murphy – Editor in Chief 

The Chicago Hounds defeated the California Legion in the Major League Rugby Championship on Sunday, June 21, at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Ill. Despite heavy rain conditions, the Hounds were able to push through and win 35-17, closing out their season as undefeated, the first team in MLR history to do so. 

“This one’s for you, Chicago,” said Chris Latham, head coach for the Hounds. 

Joining the MLR league in 2022, and playing their first season in 2023, 2026 marks the Hounds’ third season, and despite the short time in the league, the Hounds have developed a strong fanbase behind them. Fans showed up early for the game, enjoying the pre-game festivities before venturing into the stadium to cheer on their team despite the weather. 

“[For] our supporters to get behind us in this weather,” Latham said, “it just proves how good Chicago is and how good the Hounds are.”

The Hounds are the third team in franchise history to win a championship game at home, a unique opportunity not every team is given. Flanker Lucas Rumball reflected on how it felt to win at home in front of all the fans in a postgame interview.

“It’s what you want to do;, it’s why you want to play,” Rumball said. “You know there’s nothing better than playing in this stadium. The fans are unreal, the atmosphere is great, and the turf is unbelievable. So, to be able to [win] at home is unreal.”

Fly-half Chris Hilsenbeck led the teams in points in the championship game, scoring 15 points throughout the night. With his penalty goal in the fifth minute, Hilsenbeck was able to put the Hounds on the score board and secure his team the lead early on. 

The Hounds maintained their lead, scoring 10 points in the first seven minutes of play, with a try by hooker Theo Fourie. Later on, California was able to get on the board in the 16th minute with fly-back Coby Miln scoring three points for his team. 

Nine minutes later, in the 25th minute, California tight head prop Tonga Kofe was dealt a yellow card, resulting in California playing a man down for 10 minutes, as teams are not allowed to substitute a penalized player. The Hounds were able to use this fact to their advantage, as a minute later flanker Mason Flesch secured his 10th try of the season, adding to the Hounds’ lead. 

In the 32nd minute, California received another yellow card, which was dealt to Kofe replacement prop Justus Tavai. The Hounds decided to kick for touch, but the kick did not find touch. 

The halftime whistle blew eight minutes later, leaving the Hounds with a 17-3 lead. During the halftime, teams met and discussed plans for the second half. 

The Hounds came into the second half strong, with Hilsenbeck scoring three minutes into the half, making the score 20-3. Then, in the 47th minute, wing Peyton Wall crossed over into the tryzone to score five more points for the Hounds. 

Lock Den Hoedt scored the Hounds its last points of the night with his third try of the season and a successful conversion, making the score 32-3. California was able to put more points on the board with Miln scoring a try. 

After the second-half water break, California put more points on the board with flanker Ed Timpson scoring a try in the 67th minute. Miln successfully made the conversion, making the score 32-17 with over 10 minutes left in the game. 

The Hounds scored 3 more points, and then 10 minutes later the final whistle blew and the Hounds were officially crowned the 2026 MLR Champions. 

Shortly after the match finished, the Hounds were presented the MLR shield at the trophy ceremony. The team gathered on the stage with big smiles as they were presented the trophy, taking several photos and videos; the live-mascot and ball-dog Simba even joined them for part of the celebration. 

Once the team finished with the trophy ceremony, they were able to find their loved ones in the crowds, as the audience was able to come onto the field after the game. Several postgame interviews took place, one with coach Latham and others with players Rumball and Flesch, where they all talked about “doing it the Chicago way.”

But what is the Chicago way?

“We had a plan this year; we called it the Chicago way,” Latham said. “We base it around what it is to be a Chicago winner… big shoulders and digging in when it’s tough.”

Flesch added to the description of the Chicago way in his postgame interview. 

“It’s the Chicago way,” Flesch said. “We’re big, we’re brawling, we’re husky, we’re gritty, we’re hard, that’s us.”

When another player, Rumball, was asked how it felt to win the Championship in his postgame interview, he made sure to give the credit to his team.

“It doesn’t feel like it’s a real moment,” he said. “Credit to the team… We’ve had guys rotating in and out, we’ve had injuries, but everyone involved just stepped up and made this happen.”   

Matches like these and other events bring the community together, as they allow people to celebrate together and show pride for their city and its community within. As fans gathered on the field and celebrated the win together  , SeatGeek stadium once again became a place of community.

“SeatGeek Stadium is more than a venue; it is a place where people gather to celebrate, create memories, and strengthen the community,” said Steven M. Landek, mayor of Bridgeview.  “From Summer Smash and the Major League Rugby Championship to upcoming Fourth of July festivities and America’s 250th anniversary celebration, these events bring people together in joy.”