In a high-octane Round 11, we’ve got another change at the top! Mirroring the game play on the pitch, NOLA Gold and Rugby United New York continue to battle for top honors. This week, it’s the Gold’s turn on the TRS throne.

#1 NOLA Gold (Record: 7-2; Last Week: #2)

The NOLA Gold had the unenviable task of traveling north for the Toronto Arrows’ home opener. They were the first side to travel north of the border since Major League Rugby began. But they handled the trip with aplomb. They overcame the soldout home crowd and the quickly improving Arrows team for the last second win. With their first significant road victory of the year, they jump back to #1

#2 RUGBY UNITED NEW YORK (Record: 7-1; Last Week: #1)

New York was off this week, but with only a tough win over Austin to bolster their place, they could not prevent NOLA from overtaking them on top.

The bye week came at a good time for the Roosters, who’ve had a long road schedule and no bye since Round 3. They needed the rest before the final push. But now they host San Diego Legion, who will be eager to avenge a Round 1 loss on the west coast.

#3 SAN DIEGO LEGION (Record: 6-2-1; Last Week: #3)

San Diego had little trouble dispatching Austin Elite Rugby this week. They combined deft tactical kicking with ferocious defense. The pressure was too much for the Elite.

In doing so, the Legion have quietly amassed the biggest point differential in the league. At +74, they seem to have recovered from what looked like a mid-season fade.

Of course, they bring that point differential to Coney Island this week. RUNY has the second best differential at +69. Legion will hope to leave MCU Park with their point differential lead still intact.

#4 GLENDALE RAPTORS (Record: 5-3-2; Last Week: #4 tie)

Woof. Disaster narrowly averted at RugbyTown, as the Raptors erased a 32-point deficit to win. But their weakness is clear. The Glendale scrum has been victimized all year, but especially in the last few weeks.

Still, the Raptors have so much going for them. Undefeated in Fortress Glendale, constantly creating line breaks, always gaining lots of meters; there isn’t a team in the league who can face this Raptors side without fear. But until they fix their scrum, teams are going to find a way to beat them.

#5 SEATTLE SEAWOLVES (Record: 6-3; Last Week: #4 tie)

Seattle won this week, topping the Warriors in Utah. But it didn’t come easily. The Seawolves trailed at the half.

They got it done, but without the same impressive play that Glendale featured in their similarly positioned comeback. They eventually wore down the Warriors, who were unable to maintain a victorious pace. But, for those watching Seattle to see if they will remain competitive with the top teams, there wasn’t much to see in this one.

This week, they make the trip to Texas. With the weather getting warmer, those trips may start to get uncomfortable. With only a +36 point differential, that may not be the only discomfort in Seattle these days.

#6 TORONTO ARROWS (Record: 4-5; Last Week: #6)

Toronto headed home feeling pretty good. After going 4-4 on the road, they did what they needed to do to position themselves for a playoff run at home.

Then they lost to NOLA. Look, NOLA is a good team. It was close, with the Arrows leading in the last few minutes. And Toronto didn’t play their best game. Still, it does put a bit of a damper on the whole home schedule push idea. With Austin coming to town this week, they’ll want to make the home statement they were hoping for last week.

#7 HOUSTON SABERCATS (Record: 2-6; Last Week: #7)

I wonder how SaberCats fans are feeling this week. Are they pleased with the way they made Glendale work for it, or are they burned by the incredible blown lead. I can see it being a complex mix of feelings.

But if they can do that against Glendale on the road, what can they do against Seattle at home? They’ll get a chance to show it this week.

#8 tie AUSTIN ELITE RUGBY (Record: 0-10; Last Week: #8 tie)

The bottom tie holds another week. San Diego brought a great game plan to bear against the Elite, who let the pressure turn into errors. It was a reversal of the last few week’s gains.

But their personnel situation is improving. Abdelmonum is probably the best ball hawk in the MLR and the Silva-Romero half back pairing is making things interesting. It may not have been enough to handle the kicking and defense game that San Diego put on them, but it will be enough for someone. Soon.

#8 tie UTAH WARRIORS (Record: 1-6-1; Last Week: #8 tie)

Gannon Moore can struggle in defense from time to time, but boy does he run. His ability to carve up the Seattle defense was something to see. He’s not the only one on the Utah roster, either. They have attackers. What they need are leaders. Someone has to get this group functioning like a unit rather than a bunch of individual players with talent.