Old Glory DC Rugby Football Club Overview
Old Glory DC Rugby Football Club is an American professional rugby union team based in the Washington metropolitan area that competes in Major League Rugby (MLR). Founded in 2018, the organization played exhibition games in 2019 and began regular-season MLR competition in 2020. The team, nicknamed “The Flags,” has established itself as a consistent competitor in the Eastern Conference, making three consecutive playoff appearances from 2023 through 2025 and advancing to the MLR semifinals in 2026. Led by owners Paul Sheehy and Chris Dunlavey, the club operates from George Mason Stadium in Fairfax, Virginia, serving as the premier professional rugby organization in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region.
Founding and Organizational Origins
Paul Sheehy and Chris Dunlavey established Old Glory DC in 2018 as an expansion franchise for Major League Rugby’s planned entry into the Washington, D.C. market. Sheehy brought invaluable experience as a former USA Eagles player, providing the organization with deep connections to American rugby’s national team program. Dunlavey contributed his expertise as a local club rugby player, ensuring the team would have strong roots in the regional rugby community. The league officially announced the expansion team on May 15, 2018, with formal confirmation arriving in November 2018.
The organization secured a significant partnership when the Scottish Rugby Union purchased a minority stake in March 2019, providing international credibility, technical support, and access to player development pathways. The team announced its official name, Old Glory DC, on February 6, 2019, with the nickname “The Flags” quickly becoming the team’s identity. This international partnership would prove instrumental in building the organization’s early roster and competitive foundation.
Growth Into Major League Rugby Competition
The organization prepared for its inaugural competitive season through exhibition matches in 2019, allowing coaches and players to develop chemistry while building operational infrastructure. Andrew Douglas joined as head coach for the 2019 exhibition season, establishing foundational systems and recruiting key personnel for the transition to full professional competition. The Scottish Rugby Union’s minority ownership stake provided access to international rugby resources, including player loans and coaching expertise from Scottish professional clubs.
Home games initially utilized Cardinal Stadium on the campus of Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., before the organization moved to Segra Field in Leesburg, Virginia, in 2021. The team entered its first official regular-season MLR campaign in 2020, marking the organization’s formal entry into professional rugby competition. Douglas served as head coach through the early developmental years, becoming MLR’s longest-tenured head coach before his departure midway through the 2022 season.
Old Glory DC Competitive Journey
Old Glory DC experienced significant evolution across its first several seasons of professional competition, navigating early challenges while building toward sustained success. The organization underwent three head coaching transitions within its first six seasons, each bringing new strategic approaches and competitive philosophies. The team transformed from a developmental program into a consistent playoff contender, culminating in its first postseason appearance in 2023 and three consecutive playoff berths.
Early Seasons and Development (2020–2022)
The 2020 season faced immediate disruption when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the entire MLR campaign before regular matches could begin. This setback required the organization to maintain roster development and fan engagement despite the absence of competitive play. The team returned to action in 2021 at Segra Field, beginning the process of building a competitive identity within the Eastern Conference.
The 2022 season proved challenging, as Old Glory dropped seven consecutive matches to open the campaign. On March 29, 2022, the organization announced Andrew Douglas’s immediate departure as head coach, concluding his tenure with a 10-17-1 overall MLR record and a 37.5% winning percentage. Three days later, the team named former NOLA Gold head coach Nate Osborne as interim head coach for the remainder of the season while conducting a search for permanent leadership.
Breakthrough in Major League Rugby (2023–Present)
Josh Syms assumed the head coaching role in October 2022, bringing fresh strategic vision and immediate impact to the organization. The 2023 season marked a historic breakthrough, as Old Glory secured its first playoff appearance in franchise history. The team defeated Rugby New York Ironworkers in the playoff quarterfinals before falling to the New England Free Jacks in the Eastern Conference Final. Several weeks after clinching the playoff berth, the organization announced that Syms would depart at season’s end to coach forwards for the Italian professional team Zebre Parma.
The organization responded decisively by hiring Simon Cross as head coach on July 7, 2023, beginning a new competitive chapter. In June 2023, Old Glory announced that Earth, Wind & Fire bassist Verdine White and businessman Paxton Baker had joined the ownership group as minority partners, expanding the team’s resources and community connections. Under Cross’s leadership, the team continued its upward trajectory with playoff appearances in 2024 and 2025.
The 2024 season saw the organization relocate home games to the Maryland SoccerPlex in Germantown, Maryland, expanding its geographic reach within the metropolitan area. Old Glory secured its playoff berth by earning a losing bonus point in a narrow defeat to the Miami Sharks on June 22, then fell to the New England Free Jacks in the Eastern Conference Semi-Final. The 2025 campaign brought a third consecutive playoff appearance, with the team suffering a first-round defeat against the Chicago Hounds.
Modern Program and Current Direction (2023–Present)
Simon Cross has led the organization since July 2023, implementing tactical systems and roster development strategies aimed at sustained championship contention. The coaching staff has emphasized building team culture, developing American-born talent, and maintaining competitiveness within the increasingly competitive MLR landscape. Cross’s experience and strategic approach have positioned Old Glory among the Eastern Conference’s consistent contenders.
Following the 2025 season, the organization announced its relocation to George Mason Stadium in Fairfax, Virginia, beginning with the 2026 campaign. This move provided expanded facilities and a permanent dedicated venue for the team’s home matches. Simultaneously, the Scottish Rugby Union disposed of its ownership stake in the organization, ending its international partnership era. The 2026 season demonstrated the program’s continued growth, with Old Glory advancing to the MLR semifinals and finishing fourth in the overall league standings.
Philosophy and Competitive Strengths
Old Glory DC emphasizes disciplined forward play and tactical execution as cornerstones of its competitive identity. The organization prioritizes developing American-born talent while maintaining connections to international rugby systems through player acquisitions and coaching expertise. Team captain Rob Harley provides veteran leadership and stability, anchoring the squad’s defensive structure and competitive mentality. The coaching staff focuses on building cohesive team culture and installing systems that maximize player performance in high-pressure situations.
Key Milestones and Major Moments
The franchise’s most significant achievement came in 2023 when Old Glory secured its first playoff appearance in franchise history, defeating Rugby New York Ironworkers in the quarterfinals before reaching the conference final. Three consecutive playoff seasons from 2023 through 2025 demonstrated the organization’s transformation from expansion franchise to consistent competitor. Rob Harley has served as team captain, providing steady leadership throughout the program’s development. Jason Robertson has accumulated 367 points as the team’s top scorer, while Jack Iscaro holds the franchise record with 76 caps and William Talataina has scored 23 tries to lead the roster in that category. The 2026 semifinal appearance marked the franchise’s highest playoff achievement.
Old Glory DC Achievements and Results
Old Glory DC has established itself as a consistent playoff contender within Major League Rugby since beginning regular competition in 2020. The organization has built a competitive foundation across six seasons of operation, developing talent and achieving milestone results that reflect steady organizational growth. The team’s accomplishments demonstrate increasing competitiveness within one of North America’s premier professional rugby leagues.
Major League Rugby Achievements
Old Glory DC has qualified for the MLR playoffs in three consecutive seasons from 2023 through 2025, establishing the franchise as a consistent postseason participant. The 2026 season brought the organization’s most successful campaign, with Old Glory advancing to the MLR semifinals and finishing fourth in the overall league standings. This breakthrough result demonstrated the program’s competitive ceiling and established expectations for future championship pursuits.
Conference Achievements
Within the Eastern Conference, Old Glory DC has emerged as a consistent contender, reaching the conference final in 2023 during the team’s inaugural playoff appearance. The organization has advanced to the conference semifinals multiple times, including 2024 and 2025 campaigns that ended in defeats to the New England Free Jacks. These results reflect the team’s competitiveness against the conference’s top programs and provide a foundation for future advancement toward conference championships.