2019 was a big year for American rugby, with the second year of MLR, the Rugby World Cup, and an Olympic-qualifying HSBC Sevens World Series.

Alot of American teams shined this past year, but there were two that we thought were particularly special. 

Here's a look at our men's and women's team of the year for 2019:

Men's Team of the Year: Seattle Seawolves

The Seawolves' incredible last-gasp try to defeat the San Diego Legion in the MLR Championship meant that the MLR Shield stays in Seattle for yet another season. 

Just as they did in 2018, the Seawolves avenged two regular-season losses to their championship opponents to go on and win the title. In 2018 it was Glendale, and in 2019 it was San Diego. 

A balance of young players and old, local players and foreign, this Seattle team seemed to gel extremely well, and they simply got better and better as the year wore on. 

And, it can't go without mention, they have hands-down the best crowd in the league. But what's new, that just seems to be a Seattle thing. 

Women's Team of the Year: USA Eagles 7s

It was a remarkable year for the Women's 7s, who capped off an incredible World Series run with their first ever first-place finish at the Biarritz 7s in France. 

The win meant they finished 2nd in the overall standings, somewhere they've never found themselves, which also qualified them for an automatic berth in the 2020 Olympic games. 

Studs like Alev Kelter, Naya Tapper, Kristi Kirshe, Lauren Doyle, and Abby Gustaitis are just a few of the names that have propelled the Eagles 7s into a world powerhouse. 

At the tail-end of 2019, the women also won the Glendale 7s, finished third at the Dubai 7s, and went to the quarterfinals of the Cape Town 7s. 

Let's hope they continue their excellent form, as we move closer and closer to the pinnacle of 7s rugby with the 2020 Tokyo Games just around the corner.