Following the completion of Round 4 of the 2020 MLR campaign, we're officially a quarter of the way through the regular season. 

Some teams have come out firing, while others have stumbled out of the blocks. The newcomers to the league are doing well, while some of the traditional powerhouses have struggled. 

Here are our report cards for each team after the first quarter of the season:

Austin Gilgronis | C-

Having gone winless for another four games to start the new year, one might think it reasonable to slap an "F" or a "D" on the Gilgronis' report card. However, the start to 2020 hasn't been all bad for Austin, as they look a far more adept team than they did a year ago. 

With new players like fly-halves Will Magie and Kurth Morath, and scrum-half Pele Cowley rumored to join the fray this week, Austin will add some firepower to bolster the lineup and bring heaps of test match experience to the squad. 

At 0-3-1, the AG's aren't out of the picture just yet, but the wins had better start coming soon. 

Players Who Have Shined

Potu Leavasa (Flanker, Second Row)
Dominic Akina (Flanker)
Zinzan Elan-Puttick (Fly-half)

Colorado Raptors | C

The Raptors found themselves in an 0-3 hole before righting the ship last weekend against the Utah Warriors. It's a somewhat surprising mark for a team that has been at or near the top in each of the first two seasons of Major League Rugby. 

The loss of key players and USA Eagles Hanco Germishuys, Shaun Davies, and Will Magie is certainly weighing a toll on the Raptors, but the addition of former All Black Rene Ranger finally paid dividends on Saturday, when the center had an exceptional performance that won him MLR Player of the Week honors. 

Players Who Have Shined

Rene Ranger (Center)
Mika Kruse (Wing)
Luke White (No. 8)

Houston Sabercats | C+

The Sabercats' record hasn't gotten off to the start they might have wanted, considering their big opening round win over the Raptors. But three straight losses sees them sit at 1-3 on the year with the Austin Gilgronis coming to town on Saturday. 

An issue plaguing the Cats is their propensity for slow starts. Against both Toronto and New York, Houston dug itself into huge early holes, only to fight and claw its way all the way back to the very brink of victory. If they can put it together for 80 minutes, the Sabercats could be a viable contender in the West. 

Players Who Have Shined

Tiann Loots (Center)
De Wet Roos (Scrum-half)
Charlie Connolly (Prop)

New England Freejacks | C+

The Freejacks got off to a flying start with a dominant victory over RUNY in Week 1, but have since lost three straight. The absence of injured fly-half Tadhg Leader in the past three weeks certainly hasn't helped the Freejacks, but in truth they've actually been right in every game. 

Had the Freejacks not squandered a second half lead to Utah in Week 2, they would have a higher score on their report card, but as it is they get stuck with a C+. There is loads of potential with this group, however, and don't be surprised if they get on a run at some point this year. 

Players Who Have Shined

John Poland (Scrum-half)
Poasa Waqanibau (Center)
Naulia Dawai (Flanker, No. 8)

NOLA Gold | B 

The Gold were one of the teams expected to contend in the East this season, and through four weeks they've been reasonably on par with expectations. They sit at 2-2, having lost a tough one to Atlanta and then a heartbreaker to undefeated San Diego. Their opening round blowout of Old Glory was impressive, and they managed to fend off a late Colorado surge to beat the Raptors on the road. 

Looking ahead, the Gold will likely emerge as one of the biggest threats to Toronto and RUNY in the East, but they will face stiff competition from Atlanta, DC, and New England to wrap up a playoff spot. 

Players Who Have Shined

Carl Meyer (Fullback)
Matt Harmon (Prop)
Kyle Baillie (Second Row, Flanker)

Old Glory DC | B+

Old Glory has been one of the surprise teams thus far in 2020. Following their opening round hiding in New Orleans, the men from DC have reeled off three consecutive victories and are right near the top of the Eastern Conference table. 

Having played three of its first four games on the road, it's mighty impressive that DC has gotten off to a 3-1 start, its most recent victory earned without the services of Springbok legend Tendai Mtawarira. The team has a nice balance of power and pace, and, with its rocking home crowd, could well become one of the three playoff teams out in the East. 

Players Who Have Shined

Jason Robertson (Fly-half)
Danny Tusitala (Scrum-half)
Api Nakaitani (Second Row)

Rugby ATL | B

Another expansion team in 2020, Rugby ATL has already established itself as a relentless competitor that will put you under pressure for the full 80 minutes. ATL demonstrated its resilience in both of its two victories over Utah and NOLA, erasing second half deficits to come back. 

The two losses for ATL so far each could have gone either way, as the boys dropped a close one to RUNY, 22-19, and to Toronto, 28-18. Discipline seems to be a recurring problem for Atlanta, but once they shore that area of their game up, they could get a serious roll. 

Players Who Have Shined

Ryan Nell (Center)
Matt Heaton (Flanker)
Kurt Coleman (Fly-half)

Rugby United New York | B+

After a pretty shocking opening round loss against the Freejacks, RUNY has gotten itself back on track with three straight wins. There had been a good bit of turnover from last year's roster which came within seconds of making the MLR Final, so perhaps the new combinations had to work out some kinks. 

New York made a big move last week, signing USA Eagle Hanco Germishuys to boost the back row. He made an instant impact, garnering MLR Team of the Week honors and helping his side win 31-23 on the road against Houston. 

Players Who Have Shined

Ben Foden (Fullback)
Cathal Marsh (Fly-half)
Nate Brakely (Second Row)

San Diego Legion | A

It's nigh impossible for any team, in any sport, to be flawless, but thus far the Legion have been relatively close. Through four weeks they remain a perfect 4-0, with three victories by two scores or more. They were, however, pushed to their limits in Week 4 in New Orleans, and could well have come out of that game as losers. 

But the Legion showed why they're one of the league's favorites in 2020, and they buckled down and ground out the hard win like a great team does. Deep, balanced, and well-coached, San Diego is going to prove a handful for any and everyone throughout the year. 

Players Who Have Shined

Ma'a Nonu (Center)
Psalm Wooching (Flanker)
Dylan Audsley (Fullback/Wing)

Seattle Seawolves | C+

In what's been the surprise of the year so far, the Seattle Seawolves, two-time defending champs, have come stumbling mightily out of the blocks in 2020. An 0-3 start raised plenty of questions about whether the Seawolves may be washed up, but a bounce back performance in Round 4 has alleviated those thoughts. For now. 

In fairness, the combined record of the three teams that have beaten Seattle is 11-1, but the Seawolves won't make any excuses, not when their expectations are to beat each one of those teams. As the season moves on, Seattle will likely creep back into contention, but some red flags certainly had to be waved after the winless start. 

Players Who Have Shined 

JP Smith (Scrumhalf)
Nakai Penny (Flanker)
Riekert Hattingh (No. 8)

Toronto Arrows | A

The other unbeaten team in the league is the Toronto Arrows, who have done so all on the road. The men from north of the border have been the most balanced and most impressive team through four weeks. They have elite power and efficiency up front, both in the set piece and in open play, and they have blistering pace and an exceptional kicking game out wide. 

They will continue to be extremely tough to beat because they don't have any players who stand out above the rest. Everyone contributes, and it feels like each week there is a new guy who has a breakout performance. As the year moves on, this will pay dividends for Toronto, and make it tough for opponents to gameplan for them. 

Players Who Have Shined (Besides The Whole Team)

Tayler Adams (Fly-half)
Sam Malcolm (Fullback)
Mike Shepard (Second Row)

Utah Warriors | C

The Warriors started the year off decently, nearly scoring a road win in Atlanta before staging a second half comeback to beat New England in Las Vegas. But since then, the Warriors have eeked out a tie with the winless Gilgronis and suffered a loss to then-winless Colorado. 

Utah has some extremely exciting players and a very powerful forward pack, so when they get rolling they can be tough to stop. If they can clean up some of the mistakes, they'll have a better shot moving forward and can showcase the talents that saw them hang 27 points in the second half against the Freejacks. 

Players Who Have Shined

Hagen Schulte (Fly-half)
Franco Van den Berg (Prop)
Angus McLellan (Prop)