LEGION LEAVING LAS VEGAS, COMING HOME
The San Diego Legion rugby team has relocated its remaining seven home games from its adopted temporary site in Las Vegas to Southern California, while still eyeing late-season matches at USD’s Torero Stadium.
“We can only apologize for the uncertainty,” team Chairman Darren Gardner said Wednesday, “but none of this was in our control.”
The coronavirus pandemic pushed back Major League Rugby’s season by a month and sent Legion home games to a temporary venue in Las Vegas, where the club lost its season opener March 20.
Gardner said in response to snafus that recently arose in Las Vegas, the rugby team’s home games will be played in a Southern California venue likely outside of San Diego County but within driving distance. Those details are still pending, he said.
Leaving Las Vegas, added Gardner, will allow the team to work out at its new Carlsbad training site.
“We wanted to come home,” he said, “so everybody is excited about it.”
The Legion’s next home game, April 17, could be moved to the opponent’s venue in Utah; in return, a late-season road game could be moved to Southern California.
Still in play, but subject to the evolving fight against the pandemic, is the possibility of the Legion returning to USD for several home games. Gardner said USD could be home to the league’s postseason semifinals and final in August, an enticing scenario for the team if it can overcome recent setbacks.
Jeopardizing its playoff bid, San Diego is 1-2 going into Saturday’s game at Houston. Gardner said the 41-22 defeat at Atlanta last week was probably the worst performance he’d seen from the Legion in the team’s four years — but noted food poisoning had sidelined three players and weakened two others. He said team ownership is “really proud” of how players, coaches and their families have responded to the various atypical challenges.
Perks ahead may include weather less taxing than in Las Vegas, and post-match recovery days on a San Diego beach.
“They don’t hand you the trophy at the beginning of the season,” Gardner said. “And if you don’t face a few challenges, it’s not worth it. So, we know that. We’ll be there.”