MLR releases updated Warriors schedule

Salt Lake City — The MLR re-released today the 2021 schedule after the Dallas Jackals opted to wait until 2022 to begin their league play.  After schedule adjustments were made, the Utah Warriors and their fans will see eight home games and 16 total regular-season matches.

The 2021 season opens on the road Saturday, March 20, versus the Austin Gilgronis at BOLD Stadium. The Warriors’ first home match of the season will be the following weekend on Saturday, March 27, against the Toronto Arrows, who they last faced in 2019.

The Warriors meet a few unfamiliar opponents in the form of 2020 MLR expansion team Old Glory DC and 2021 MLR expansion team the Los Angeles Giltinis. The Warriors will square off against Old Glory on May 8 at home, while LA will feature as a home-and-away foe in the Western Conference throughout the season. 

More notable matches this season include showings against 2018 and 2019 MLR champs, the Seattle Seawolves, April 10 and June 6 (home and away) and NOLA Gold at The Gold Mine on May 22. The Warriors defeated the Seawolves in their shortened 2020 season in a thrilling 33-31 overtime win. The Warriors will face NOLA Gold only once in the 2021 schedule in the teams’ first meeting in two years, as the 2020 matchup was suspended just one day prior to its scheduled date. 

Another matchup highly anticipated by Warriors Nation is the meeting between the Warriors and the Austin Gilgronis on March 20 and May 29 (away and home). The last matchup between the Warriors and AG resulted in a tie in Austin, TX, and it was one of the last matches played in the 2020 season. The 2021 meeting in Austin opens up the regular MLR season for the Warriors.

After a disappointing 2-12-2 record in 2019 and a promising 3-2 season cut short due to COVID-19 in 2020, the Warriors are chomping at the bit to get back into action. Interim Head Coach Shawn Pittman says the team has been actively preparing for the new season amid the coaching staff and schedule changes. 

“I’m very excited about multiple opportunities the schedule will provide us through the season,” Pittman said. “I know as a staff, we’re looking forward to getting the team back together and for the new players and staff to join our squad as we build through the season.”

With the recent additions to the core returning roster for the Warriors, returner Saia Uhila is eager to get the new-look team working together and building towards a successful 2021 season. 

“The squad is looking very sharp, and you can definitely see the hunger that these boys have,” Uhila said. “We can’t wait to prove ourselves as a team in competition.”

Tickets are available at www.WarriorsRugby.com or by contacting the ticket office at [email protected].

UTAH WARRIORS 2021 REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE