The CWL Pro League returns for two weeks of cross-divisional play after an intense CWL Fort Worth event. Four teams from each division are at the MLG Arena in Columbus to face off against each other.
Day 1: Monday, March 25
Team Heretics vs. UYU
Series scoreline: 3 – 0 UYU
- Hardpoint (Seaside): 250 – 220 (UYU)
- Search and Destroy (Hacienda): 6 -5 (UYU)
- Control (Seaside) 3-0 (UYU)
UYU is a refreshed team coming out of CWL Fort Worth and rostermania. Despite a poor placing, the past weeks of practice are showing now. The addition of Saul “Parzelion” Masse-Siguenza has improved the slaying potential of the squad. Many worried that the addition of a slow main AR would detract from the team. That doesn’t seem to be the case, as Parzelion has actually adjusted his pace to match more with his team. With Mehran “Mayhem” Anjomshoa and Anthony “Methodz” Zinni already consistently performing, their SMG players have the opportunity to improve. UYU’s team synergy showed in the Control but still can lack in firepower during the close Hardpoint. Moving forward, UYU may consider utilizing a multi-Maddox gun composition. The new meta accommodates the new team play style and UYU should capitalize on this change.
A tremendous start for @UYU in cross-division action, they complete a 3-0 sweep of @TeamHeretics! https://t.co/NKHQSgV6Gh #CWLPS4 pic.twitter.com/gCLAqKL9wO
— Call of Duty League (@CODLeague) March 25, 2019
Team Heretics is having an identity crisis. Since facing adversity in week four of the CWL Pro League, they have been shifting roles constantly. Multiple players have shifted gun roles, leading to inconsistencies. Star player Juan “JurNii” Antonio González also had a slow series aside from the Hardpoint. The role changes have impacted the entire team as the openings no longer exist for previously performing players. Team Heretics should go back to its original composition and work on tightening its strategies and breaks.
MVP of the series: Saul “Parzelion” Masse-Siguenza
Red Reserve vs. Excelerate Gaming
Series scoreline: 3 – 2 Red Reserve
- Hardpoint (Frequency): 250 – 166 (Excelerate Gaming)
- Search and Destroy (Gridlock): 6 – 3 (Excelerate Gaming)
- Control (Gridlock): 3 – 1 (Red Reserve)
- Hardpoint (Arsenal): 250 – 180 (Red Reserve)
- Search and Destroy (Arsenal): 6 – 3 (Red Reserve)
Red Reserve is described with the word “endurance.” Despite sick, unhappy, and dropped players, the squad pulls off the reverse sweep. This falls mainly to consistent play from Trei “Zer0” Morris, Matthew “Skrapz” Marshall, and Ben “Bance” Bance. The maps they won relied on these three putting numbers or making the correct situational plays. Their strong play offset multiple chokes from captain Rhys “Rated” Price, who needs to step up. Red Reserve should be feeling great and be looking to capitalize on this form, potentially the form it’s been striving for.
.@RedReserve survive the Control, the 3-1 map keeps them in the series vs @ExcelerateGG. https://t.co/NKHQSgV6Gh #CWLPS4
📽: Red work a 2v3 round win pic.twitter.com/ZZ78z08990
— Call of Duty League (@CODLeague) March 25, 2019
Excelerate Gaming has improved, but that isn’t saying much. This team obviously has more firepower and tactical support with the addition of Carson “Brack” Newberry and Eric “JetLi” Phan. Unfortunately, this team still struggles with closing out maps. This is mainly due to inconsistent play from multiple players late in the series. Their new star player Brack needs the support, often forced to put the team on his back.
MVP of the series: Ben “Bance” Bance
Team Envy vs. Luminosity Gaming
Series scoreline: 3 – 2 Team Envy
- Hardpoint (Seaside): 250 – 117 (Luminosity Gaming)
- Search and Destroy (Payload): 6 – 2 (Luminosity Gaming)
- Control (Gridlock): 3 – 1 (Team Envy)
- Hardpoint (Frequency): 250 – 174 (Team Envy)
- Search and Destroy (Gridlock): 6 – 5 (Team Envy)
Team Envy is a 50/50 bet for your money. Once again, their mantra of being a coin flip continues. Their top two players Cuyler “Huke” Garland and Justin “SiLLY” Fargo-Palmer continue to carry the squad through maps while the rest are inconsistent. What really won Team Envy the series was its vetoes, stacking its good maps at the end. As well, team captain Patrick “ACHES” Price pulling out the controversial Rampart helped his performance. The casters mentioned it before — the Rampart has found a home with a slower but aggressive play style. It appears that this perfectly fits ACHES, and we can only hope to see a little more consistency.
SLACKEDSLAM IN THE CHAT. https://t.co/NKHQSgV6Gh #CWLPS4 pic.twitter.com/F1PgHlovxj
— Call of Duty League (@CODLeague) March 25, 2019
Luminosity Gaming receives a wake-up call following its victory at CWL Fort Worth. The squad looked strong at the start, easily wiping the floor in team rotations and slaying ability. Midway through the series, their performing players slowed down and no one was able to pick up the slack. The team’s two underperformers, Johnathon “John” Perez and Matthew “FormaL” Piper, are part of the “big three” trio that are expected to be stars. This series especially saw a lack of production on the side of FormaL. If LG looks to close out its series, it falls on its main AR FormaL to improve.
MVP of the series: Cuyler “Huke” Garland
eUnited vs. Evil Geniuses
Series scoreline: 3 – 2 eUnited
- Hardpoint (Hacienda): 250 – 220 (eUnited)
- Search and Destroy (Gridlock): 6 – 5 (Evil Geniuses)
- Control (Seaside): 3 – 1 (eUnited)
- Hardpoint (Gridlock): 250 – 101 (Evil Geniuses)
- Search and Destroy (Hacienda): 6 – 3 (eUnited)
EUnited has changed, but it is hard to determine if it was for the better or worse. The roster change has completely overhauled the system that team plays. With the addition of an aggressive SMG in Chris “Simp” Lehr, the team plays at a faster pace to set up the SMG duo. The roster change has only elevated the peformance of entry SMG Tyler “aBeZy” Pharris, who has already been the squad’s star player. This change has also greatly benefited James “Clayster” Eubanks’s fast AR play, putting more pressure on the map. However, this comes at the cost of Alec “Arcitys” Sanderson’s not putting up the numbers he used to; at times, he seems to be out of sync with the team. It remains to be seen whether the roster change will ultimately benefit eUnited due to how close this series was.
.@eUnitedgg get the five-game series win over @EvilGeniuses! eU move to 6-2 in Division B; EG fall to 1-7 in Division A. #CWLPS4 pic.twitter.com/B4dStxDCAp
— Call of Duty League (@CODLeague) March 26, 2019
Evil Geniuses’ closing problems continue. At least they won a Search and Destroy. The EG boys do look better with actual star power in Dylan “Attach” Price, but there is more work to be done. The slaying pressure no longer solely falls on John “Xotic” Bruno, but their other players continue to be inconsistent. While there is a better balance in game mode performance, the team continues to clutch up and close out series. It’s really time for the roster to fit a better piece to the puzzle, considering the amount of talent in free agency.
MVP of the series: Chris “Simp” Lehr
The first day of the return of the CWL Pro League has already started off with multiple exciting matches. All these teams have something to prove, and that will surely result in a week of exciting matches.
