OpTic Chicago take down new-look LA Thieves to secure winner’s bracket spot

The Call of Duty League Stage 4 Major bracket has finally evened itself out following the conclusion of OpTic Chicago vs. LA Thieves. The Thieves wrapped up their Home Series with a chance to secure their spot in the winner’s bracket of the Major. They needed to sweep OpTic in order to get in thanks to Paris Legion defeating Seattle Surge earlier in the day. However, OpTic stood their ground and blew through LA’s new roster of veterans to ensure they keep a winner’s bracket spot.

While this was expected to be a highly competitive match, it didn’t last too long. Chicago proved they have what it takes to still dominate teams in the CDL with their win over LA.

LA Thieves drop to OpTic Chicago in embarrassing fashion

The new-look roster of the LA Thieves was supposed to be the answer to the team’s season-long struggles. Though they’ve shown they can be a top team, inconsistency has plagued them for the entirety of 2021. The additions of Cuyler “Huke” Garland and Austin “SlasheR” Liddicoat to the roster were LA’s answer to this issue.

After a disappointing weekend, the answer still seems to be out of reach. LA failed to win either of their series at the event, losing to the Minnesota ROKKR and now OpTic Chicago. However, their match against the the ROKKR was more competitive than the one against OpTic.

Chicago annihilated LA for a majority of the series. After winning the first Hardpoint, it was already over for the Thieves. They couldn’t lose a map if they wanted the winner’s bracket. They narrowly took Search and Destroy in the next map only to lose the following Control in a huge way. OpTic won with the second-fastest Control map win of the season, only trailing London’s win over the LA Guerrillas.

Most dominant Control in #CDL2021?@OpTicCHI take a FAST 2-1 series lead against @LAThieves! pic.twitter.com/7tjEMVQBaF

— Call of Duty League (@CODLeague) June 13, 2021

After that, LA didn’t seem to have any fight left. They lost the second Hardpoint and the series. Each member of OpTic Chicago posted a 1.29 Kill/Death ratio or above, with Seth “Scump” Abner leading the way, finishing with a 1.56 ratio. On the LA Thieves’ side, SlasheR had a series to forget, posting a 0.61 KD which was second-lowest on the team.

With the win, OpTic Chicago will start in the winner’s bracket of the Stage 4 Major. For the losers, LA will finish as the fifth seed in Group A and begin in the first loser’s bracket round.