There are two weeks until the Call of Duty League Stage 5 Major and the action is beginning to heat up. The New York Subliners Home Series saw some terrific matches, including a couple of upsets, but Week 2 of Stage 5 should be even more exciting. The Minnesota RØKKR Home Series is up and some juicy matches are on the docket.
From renewing rivalries to possibly determining seeding for the major, there are certainly some matches that shouldn’t be missed.
1. LA Thieves vs. Atlanta FaZe
Anytime two of the most noteworthy squads in the CDL match up, it’s going to be interesting to watch. The LA Thieves and Atlanta FaZe at the Minnesota RØKKR Home Series is particularly intriguing, though.
LA is coming off a 2-0 weekend at the New York Home Series where they defeated the Subliners and Ravens. Boasting a new roster that includes Jonathan “John” Perez, the Thieves proved they can be a top team in the CDL. Their true test will come this weekend against Atlanta, however. The juggernaut of 2021, FaZe look as strong as ever and will be the best way to see just strong LA is in Stage 5.
2. OpTic Chicago vs. Atlanta FaZe
One of the oldest rivalries in Call of Duty, OpTic vs. FaZe, sees another chapter at the Minnesota RØKKR Home Series. In 2021, though, this hasn’t been too much of a rivalry. Atlanta has yet to lose to Chicago. In fact, they’ve dominated the Greenwall, rarely dropping a map against them.
OpTic seems to have regained some confidence in Stage 5. This could make for an interesting matchup with the CDL’s top roster. Can OpTic finally turn the corner and, at least, make things competitive against FaZe? It’s a safe bet to assume this will be the most-watched match this weekend.
3. Minnesota RØKKR vs. Dallas Empire
There’s little reason to bet against Dallas in this matchup. The Empire arguably have the most momentum out of anyone in the CDL and looks strong in Stage 5. Last weekend, they made the LA Guerrillas squad look like an amateur team.
However, the home-team RØKKR are looking to move up in the standings prior to CDL Champs. This is the perfect opportunity for them to do so and cement themselves as a threat in Stage 5. The big question is whether they have the firepower to take down a red-hot Dallas team.
