Anthem Rugby Carolina, shortened to Anthem RC, were an American professional rugby union team based in Charlotte, North Carolina, that competed in Major League Rugby (MLR). The team was founded in 2024, and began to play during the 2024 season. Unlike other MLR teams, Anthem RC was funded by governing bodies, USA Rugby and World Rugby, in the aim to improve the USA Eagles so they may qualify for the 2027 Men's Rugby World Cup, and be competitive for the US-hosted 2031 Rugby World Cup.
History Anthem RC finished the 2024 season 0–16, the third winless season in MLR history after the 2019 Austin Elite and 2022 Dallas Jackals. Despite the team's struggle, Anthem back Junior Gafa was named MLR Rookie of the Year,https://www.majorleague.rugby/news/major-league-rugby-rookie-of-the-year/ with scrum-half Siaosi Nai and left wing Cael Hodgson earning First XV honors.https://www.majorleague.rugby/news/first-xv-wk14-2024/
Anthem RC announced the appointment of Patrick Stack as its first team president on January 14, 2025.https://www.majorleague.rugby/news/anthem-rugby-carolina-names-patrick-stack-as-first-team-president/ On March 31, 2025, Anthem RC became the first team in MLR history to field a roster entirely composed of domestic players in 25–17 loss to the Seattle Seawolves.https://www.majorleague.rugby/news/major-league-rugby-week-7-recap/
After two winless seasons, Anthem RC won the first game in franchise history, defeating the California Legion 39-26 in the opening game of the 2026 season.
During an Inside MLR podcast released on July 29, 2026, Will Hooley and MLR co-president Alexander Magleby announced that the contract between World Rugby, USA Rugby and Major League Rugby had ended, leaving Anthem's future in question. Magleby also commented that the MLR was talking with several groups in the Charlotte metropolitan area to take over Anthem RC or possibly replace it with a new team. While neither the league nor the team released a statement confirming it, America Rugby News reported on the team's disbandment and, as of August 2026, Anthem RC was removed from the MLR website.
Players and personnel Head coach Alama Ieremia (2024–present)
Technical staff The team's technical staff was as follows: Neethling Gericke - Assistant Coach, Forwards (2024–present) Elvis Seveali'i - Assistant Coach, Backs and Skills (2024–present) Brendan Keane - Assistant Coach (2024–present) Matoko Noudehou - Physical Performance Coach (2024–present) Zach Fournier - Lead Athletic Trainer (2024–present) Michael Sheridan - Assistant Athletic Trainer (2024–present) Luke Richmond - Analyst (2024–present) Darran Coleman - Team Manager (2024–present)
Records Season standings SeasonConferenceRegular seasonPostseasonPosPldWDLFA+/−BPPtsPldWLFA+/− Result2024 Eastern6th 16 0 0 16 323 676 -353 7 7 - - - - - - Did not qualify2025 Eastern6th 16 0 0 16 282 570 -288 5 5 - - - - - - Did not qualify2026N/A6th10208243375 -132513 - - - - - -Did not qualifyTotals 42 2 0 40 843 1,621 -773 17 25 - - - - - - 0 postseason appearances
2024 season Anthem Rugby Carolina played 16 games in the 2024 regular season. They did not make the playoffs. +DateOpponentHome/AwayLocationResultMarch 3New England Free JacksHomeAmerican Legion Memorial SatdiumLost, 13–46March 9New Orleans GoldAwayGold Mine on AirlineLost, 34–19March 17Dallas JackalsHomeAmerican Legion Memorial StadiumLost, 28–68March 23Miami SharksAwayAutoNation Sports FieldLost, 50–21March 30Old Glory DCHomeAmerican Legion Memorial StadiumLost, 32–46April 5Utah WarriorsAwayZions Bank StadiumLost, 44–19April 14Chicago HoundsAwaySeatGeek StadiumLost, 59–26April 27New Orleans GoldHomeAmerican Legion Memorial StadiumLost, 5-40May 3Seattle SeawolvesAwayStarfire StadiumLost, 29–13May 10Houston SaberCatsHomeAmerican Legion Memorial StadiumLost, 15–38May 18RFC Los AngelesHomeAmerican Legion Memorial StadiumLost, 29–33June 1Old Glory DCAwayMaryland SoccerPlexLost, 47–29June 9San Diego LegionAwaySnapdragon StadiumLost, 34–24June 16Miami SharksHomeAmerican Legion Memorial StadiumLost, 14–30June 22Chicago HoundsHomeAmerican Legion Memorial StadiumLost, 29–38June 29New England Free JacksAwayVeterans Memorial StadiumLost, 40–7
2025 season Anthem Rugby Carolina played 16 games in the 2025 regular season.
Date Opponent Home/Away Location Result February 15 NOLA Gold Away Gold Mine on Airline Lost, 35–14 February 21 San Diego Legion Home American Legion Memorial Stadium Lost, 52–5 February 28 Miami Sharks Home Mecklenburg County Sportsplex Lost, 32–31 March 8 Old Glory DC Away Maryland SoccerPlex Lost, 26–22 March 22 Houston SaberCats Home American Legion Memorial Stadium Lost, 46–45 March 29 Seattle Seawolves Away Starfire Stadium Lost, 25–17 April 5 NOLA Gold Home American Legion Memorial Stadium Lost, 33–19 April 13 Chicago Hounds Away SeatGeek Stadium Lost, 28–20 April 18 New England Free Jacks Home American Legion Memorial Stadium Lost, 26–6 April 23 Seattle Seawolves Home Mecklenburg County Sportsplex Lost, 60–19 April 27 Miami Sharks Away Baptist Health Community Field Lost, 31–5 May 10 RFCLA Away Wallis Annenberg Stadium Lost, 45–17 May 18 Old Glory DC Home American Legion Memorial Stadium Lost, 41–19 May 24 Chicago Hounds Home American Legion Memorial Stadium Lost, 33–19 May 30 Utah Warriors Away Zions Bank Stadium Lost, 31–10 June 8 Houston SaberCats Away SaberCats Stadium Lost, 26–14
2026 season Anthem RC played 10 matches in the 2026 season.
Date Opponent Home/Away Location Result March 28 California Legion Away Championship Soccer Stadium Won, 39–26 April 4 Chicago Hounds Home American Legion Memorial Stadium Lost, 33-19 April 12 Seattle Seawolves Home American Legion Memorial Stadium Won, 34-25 April 18 Old Glory DC Home American Legion Memorial Stadium Lost, 14-31 April 26 New England Free Jacks Away Veterans Memorial Stadium Lost, 38-26 May 10 Chicago Hounds Away SeatGeek Stadium Lost, 61-36 May 17 Seattle Seawolves Away Starfire Stadium Lost, 57-21 May 23 New England Free Jacks Home American Legion Memorial Stadium Lost, 20–7 May 31 California Legion Home American Legion Memorial Stadium Lost, 55-26 Jun 5 Old Glory DC Away George Mason Stadium Lost, 29-21
Honors
Player +HonorPlayerSeasonMLR Rookie of the YearJunior Gafa 2024Campbell Robb2026
See also Anthem Inc
References
External links