Week 13 Results: NOLA, Austin, NY, Utah, NE and LA with Wins: LA and Utah Lead West; Atlanta and New York Lead East
Eight of the teams have 4 matches left, with four teams having 5 matches left. Houston and Seattle are already mathematically eliminated from the playoffs in the West. LA and Utah are in firm control as the top two but Austin still has a fighting chance and San Diego an outside chance.
In the East Atlanta and New York are in control at the top with NOLA and New England still in the race. Another win by Atlanta and NY or another loss by Toronto will mathematically eliminate Toronto. Old Glory will be mathematically eliminated if Atlanta and New York add two more wins (or DC losses) in their remaining matches.
Next week sees an important match with New York hosting Utah, Atlanta will host Houston as they try to stay ahead of NY in the East. LA will visit San Diego, a must win for SD if they’re going to overtake either Utah or LA. Also Toronto faces NOLA and Austin visit Seattle.
RESULTS
STANDINGS
*MLR Week Thirteen: Three Saturday Matches NOLA @ DC; Toronto @ Austin; SD @ Utah – Three Sunday Matches Atlanta @ NY; Seattle @ New England; Houston @ LA*
LA and Utah look to continue their hold on the two West playoff spots while Austin need a win against Toronto to stay in the hunt.
In the East, Atlanta and NY go head to head in the battle of the top contenders, it gives a chance for New England and NOLA to close the gap on the losing side.
NOLA @ DC – 2pm PT Saturday
Ciaran Hearn is on the bench for DC with Doug Fraser absent from the match day 23. For NOLA, Lockie Kratz gets the start at outside centre with Eric Howard as the reserve hooker. Kyle Baillie is absent from the match day 23.
Toronto @ Austin – 5pm PT Saturday
Siaki Vikilani from Burnaby gets the start at #8 for Toronto. Mason Flesch is moved to second row with the Argentinean Tomas de la Vega taking the blindside spot. Will Kelly gets the start at #10. For Austin Reegan O’Gorman is on the bench while Cole Davis is absent from the match day 23.
SD @ Utah – 6pm PT Saturday
Fraser Hurst is the reserve scrum half for Utah. Michael Smith is in the reserves for San Diego.
Atlanta @ NY – 11am PT Sunday
Quinn Ngawati gets the start at inside centre for New York. Atlanta has Conor Keys as a starting second row, Matt Heaton is missing from the match day 23.
Seattle @ New England – 2pm PT Sunday
Djustice Sears-Duru and Jake Ilnicki are reserve props, Karsten Leitner gets his first appearance in the match day 23 as #23. New England Josh Larsen is back in the starting XV for New England at second row.
Houston @ LA – 4pm PT Sunday
LA features DTH on the wing and Corey Thomas in second row. Houston has Lucas Albornoz in the second row and Rob Povey at #10. On the Houston bench are front row replacements, Liam Murray and Nik Hildebrand.