The Kansas City Blues will be back at home this weekend to take on the St. Louis Bombers. In what will prove to be a physical, gritty matchup between two storied rivals, the Blues look to drum up homefield support at Swope Soccer Village once again, this time playing on the Championship Field. Not only that, but alumni support will show out in full force for Blues Alumni Weekend. Players from all walks and all eras look to make an appearance, and will look to be impressed by both Blues D1 and Blues D3 when they take on Springfield in the match after.
The D1 game will kick off at 1pm, and will feature lots of familiar faces that are regulars at the D1 level. Izzy Fukofuka, Chandler Owens, Kyler Renner, and Cael Hodgson all being just some of the key players to watch in this matchup. It will be a tough, physical game played with lots of passion and grit by both sides. Expect big hits, lots of solid forwards play, and a bruising 3 meters and a cloud of dust rugby, though do not be surprised if you see some big breakaways from two stellar backlines. The Blues will have to be at the ready for some prime talent garnered from college powerhouse Lindenwood on the St. Louis side. Lots of players that play at an MLR level and have experience in playing high level rugby, though that is not to say that the Blues don't have high caliber, MLR seasoned players. Guys such as Matt Wirken, as mentioned earlier Cael Hodgson and Chandler Owens, and a whole host of guys on that D1 roster that have played some level of high caliber college or MLR competition. Once again, expect a dogfight.
As for the D3 matchup, it kicks off after the D1 game at 3pm. Expect another dogfight filled with physical, testy play. Springfield brings a chippy, upstart side to take on the Blues D3. A side that has a mean streak with the Blues, it will be treated as a sort of rivalry as well. After all, Springfield is a Missouri club too. Guys like JT Bergner, Ryan Ellison, Tom Murphy, and D1 regular Alan Bortolotti will make a big impact, not to mention seasoned rugby veterans in Chris Tan, Mona Faitau, Ross Gasper, and of course, yours truly, coming off the bench to bring the heat as well. If the Blues can move the ball fast and fluidly to get around the big, bulky, and physical Springfield side, expect a lobsided Blues victory. With a backline full of speedsters such as Eli Brizendine, Holdun Seely, and Sam Tualatamalelagi, we could see some real fireworks if the ball can be worked out wide and into space.
Overall, it will be a very fun weekend for rugby and a real treat to have Blues alumni old and new show out for this game. Come out and support KC's premier rugby club, it'll be a fun and friendly atmosphere with the spirit of competition and good rugby permeating throughout the air. Rugby has a very heavy social aspect to it, and to experience it is to experience something that can only be felt at a rugby match around rugby people. Absolutely nothing like it, and this weekend looks to be a prime weekend for it.
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