Overwatch League offseason frenzy continues, as the Los Angeles Valiant make some big changes to their roster and staff. According to the organization, the team is trading Terence “SoOn” Tarlier to an undisclosed team. Also, the team will be trading assistant coach Julien “Daemon” Ducros to that same team. Additionally, the team is sending assistant coach Jordan “Gunba” Graham to the Boston Uprising.
The Los Angeles Valiant bid farewell to @SoOn99 , @baemoN and @GunbaOW . We wish them all the best on their new teams. ➡️ https://t.co/RrfXdh9amh pic.twitter.com/i0DQFWHSWW
— Los Angeles Valiant (@LAValiant) October 18, 2018
In the inaugural season of the Overwatch League, Los Angeles would start off with a decent showing in stage one. The team would fall just short of the Stage One Playoffs, ending with a 7-3 record. In the second stage, the Valiant would falter, ending with a uninspiring 4-6 record and finishing in eighth place. Luckily, the team would bounce back in stage three, jumping back up to third place. Unfortunately, they would drop to the New York Excelsior in the stage playoffs, who would eventually win the stage three championship.
Their best performance this year would end up being stage four. Their great regular season performance would net them a 9-1 record, and second place behind the Los Angeles Gladiators. The Valiant would win a hard-fought series against rival Gladiators, and take down the New York Excelsior with ease. They were looking like one of the best teams in the Overwatch League. Unfortunately, their appearance in the Season Playoffs would be shortlived, going down in two maps against eventual champions, London Spitfire.
SoOn’s contributions to the Valiant
SoOn was a very important part for the Los Angeles Valiant’s season one success. Los Angeles Valiant CEO Noah Whinston would say in a press release, “SoOn, Coach Daemon and Coach Gunba provided key contributions to the Pacific Division champion LA Valiant in the inaugural season of the Overwatch League. We wish all three the best as they compete under the banner of their home countries in the World Cup and beyond.”
Before hitting the Overwatch League, the French DPS would play for Rogue Gaming. He and Benjamin “uNKOE” Chevasson would play for the Valiant, but he would transfer over to the Dallas Fuel. SoOn’s ability on Tracer has been essential to their success. However, it seems like they will be moving forward with the DPS trio of Joon-hyuk “Bunny” Chae, Kyle “KSF” Frandanisa and star DPS Brady “Agilities” Girardi.
Possible Teams?
With so many possibilities and teams for SoOn to join, it is hard to predict what time he will be joining… or is it? It has been confirmed that there will be a new Paris Overwatch team joining the league. There have been many rumors speculating the roster of the team. Many fans and analyst expect that Paris will try to field a team made up of mostly French players. There have been multiple rumors stating that former Philadelphia Fusion player George “ShaDowBurn” Gushcha will be joining Paris as well.
If these rumors are true, many Overwatch fans say that Paris could be fielding a fan favorite lineup. ShaDowBurn had plenty of fans on his time with the Fusion, even though he did not play much. Also, his performance in the World Cup would win the hearts of fans across the world. A team with SoOn and ShaDowBurn would be an interesting pair to spectate for next season!
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