Hounds Add Chris Mattina

CHICAGO, I.L.- The Hounds announced today they agreed to terms with fullback Chris Mattina. The New York native enters his fifth year in Major League Rugby, spending three seasons with Rugby New York before signing with the Austin Gilgronis prior to the 2022 season.

Mattina, drafted by the Hounds in the Major League Rugby expansion draft, cut his teeth with the USA 7s program before his 2019 rookie season with New York. As a rookie, he appeared in 12 contests while scoring one try and notching 18 conversions for a total of 41 points. He ran for 564 meters on his 59 carries (9.6 meters per carry) with four line breaks. He appeared in every one of New York’s five contests in 2020, playing all 400 minutes and scoring a try with three line breaks.

Mattina and New York made their way to the Eastern Conference Final in 2021, his third year with the team. He appeared in 10 matches and finished the year with 23 carries for 213 meters (9.3 meters per carry) with five line breaks and six broken tackles and scored a try. He signed with Austin prior to the 2022 MLR season and helped lead them to the best point differential in the league. He played in 12 games with seven starts and finished the year with 17 points (two tries, two conversions, and a penalty kick). He recorded 557 meters gained on his 67 carries (8.3 MPC) with three line breaks and nine defenders beaten. 

The fullback, 29, who played collegiately at the University of Delaware, has 39 appearances in MLR and has recorded 177 carries for 1,515 meters and 68 total points scored over the course of his career thus far. He spent the fall on tour with the United States Men’s National Team.

Roster to Date:

The Hounds have now announced three players on their roster for the 2023 season: Bryce Campbell, J.P. Eloff, and Chris Mattina.

The Chicago Hounds kick off their inaugural season in Major League Rugby on February 18th at 1:00 PM CST when they take on Old Glory DC at Segra Field in Leesburg, Virginia. Broadcast information will be available shortly. Fans can watch the Hounds play live at SeatGeek Stadium for the home opener against the Utah Warriors on Sunday, March 5th. Season ticket information will be available to Hounds fans in the coming days.

ABOUT CHICAGO HOUNDS:

The Chicago Hounds are a professional rugby team competing in Major League Rugby (MLR), North America’s professional rugby competition. The Hounds were named as an expansion franchise in 2022 and are set to play their Inaugural Season in 2023 at SeatGeek Stadium.