Sidney Shoop Returns to Hounds for 2024 Season

CHICAGO, IL- The Hounds and scrumhalf Sidney Shoop agreed to a contract extension for the 2024 Major League Rugby season.

Despite being only 23-years-old, the up-and-coming scrumhalf prospect is set for his fourth season in MLR. Shoop’s career began in 2021 with the Austin Gilgronis. As a rookie, he appeared in four contests and totaled 43 minutes on the field. The scrumhalf attempted 27 passes and 24 of those were deemed as successful, with an 89% passer accuracy clip. He completed all six of his tackle attempts.

Shoop returned to Austin in 2022 and appeared in six contests (50 minutes). He successfully completed 16 of his 17 pass attempts (94%) and made 16 of his 17 tackle attempts. The scrumhalf carried the ball twice yet gained 38 meters and scored his first career try.

The Hounds selected Shoop in the Major League Rugby dispersal draft held last November and he agreed to terms with Chicago prior to the 2023 season. It was somewhat of a breakout campaign for the young American prospect.

He appeared in seven games for the Hounds and earned the first start of his MLR career in Week 12 against Rugby Atlanta. Shoop finished the year with five starts, including wins over the Utah Warriors and Dallas Jackals. He finished the season with a 90% passer accuracy mark, completing 206 of his 230 pass attempts successfully. On defense, Shoop made 53 of his 64 tackle attempts.

With the re-signing, Shoop joins what is arguably one of the most competitive scrumhalf groups across the league. The Hounds acquired US Eagle Nick McCarthy from Leinster before trading for Jason Higgins, the Canadian National Team starting scrumhalf. Versatile back Michael Baska, who played primarily at scrumhalf during his MLR career, is also back in the Chicago mix for 2024. All four options qualify for domestic status, adding flexibility to the game-day 23 configuration.

Roster to Date:

To date, the Chicago Hounds have signed the following players for the 2024 Major League Rugby season:

• Nick McCarthy, scrumhalf
• Ben Landry, lock/flanker
• Dave Kearney, wing
• Bryce Campbell, center*
• Zurabi Zhvania, prop
• Billy Meakes, center*
• Julian Dominguez, wing*
• George Merrick, lock
• Tinashe Muchena, back row*
• Adriaan Carelse, fullback
• Jason Higgins, scrumhalf (via trade with San Diego)
• Paddy Ryan, prop*
• Mark O’Keeffe, center*
• Janus Venter, hooker
• Mike Matarazzo, lock/flanker*
• Ignacio Peculo, prop
• Cassh Maluia, outside back
• Guillermo Pujadas, hooker
• Dylan Fawsitt, hooker
• James Scott, lock
• Nate Augspurger, wing (via trade with NOLA Gold)
• Brad Tucker, lock/flanker (via Dispersal Draft)
• Mason Flesch, flanker (via Dispersal Draft)
• Michael Hand, wing
• Lucas Rumball, flanker
• Conall Boomer, flanker
• Caolan Dooley, utility back
• Fred Apulu, prop*
• Michael Baska, utility back*
• Charlie Abel, prop*
• LaRome White, prop*
• Maclean Jones, flanker*
• Luke White, back row/ lock*
• Luke Carty, flyhalf*
• Ethan Parkins, flanker
• Sidney Shoop, scrumhalf

Star denotes re-signed/ returning player.