Atlanta Home Series 2021: 5 Players To Watch
After a lengthy off-season, the start of the second season of the Call of Duty League (CDL) is right around the corner. The off-season marked a time of change for the geo-located franchise league. Team structure returned to a four-versus-four format alongside a transition to PC which has been met with polarising opinions from both fans and players.
The return of a four-versus-four team structure meant all 12 franchises had to make roster changes prior to the start of the Black Ops Cold War season. Some moves came as no surprise to fans, but others were met with widespread confusion and disbelief due to the somewhat controversial nature of the changes.
With all changes made and all 12 rosters confirmed ahead of the new season, the regular season gets underway with the Atlanta Home Series where all teams will get their first opportunity to put some CDL Points on the board. With 48 immensely talented players battling it out for a chance to take the early lead in the league table, we’ve selected five players to keep a watchful eye on as the action unfolds.
1) Dylan "Envoy" Hannon - Chicago OpTic
Click to enlargeThroughout the course of the 2020 season, Envoy was always considered as one of the very best sub-machine gunners in the CDL. In just two short years, he has managed to cement his position at the peak of the Call of Duty mountain and is showing no signs of slowing down in Black Ops Cold War.
His aggressive slaying ability during a match is often the catalyst for OpTic to close in on victory. Although it was a show-match, Envoy’s performance against the Los Angeles Thieves at the Kickoff Classic just goes to show how his incredible ability to score multiple kills can turn the tide of a match in the favour of his team.
If Envoy can maintain his high level of form during the regular season, there’s a real chance that he and the OpTic can usurp the Dallas Empire from its throne.
2) Bryan "Apathy" Zhelyazkov - Los Angeles Guerrillas
Click to enlargeFamed for his late-season form, two-time world champion Apathy has the opportunity to redeem himself after a disappointing 2020 season under the Seattle Surge. Now representing the LA Guerrillas, Apathy must find his feet quickly in order to avoid a second season of disappointment.
His sublime movement and perfectly-timed bursts of aggression make Apathy a formidable opponent for any team that he and the Guerrillas face, and if he can master Black Ops Cold War and find form in the early stages of the season, the chance of the Guerrillas joining the hectic mid-table battle is certainly there.
As one of the last players to win a 4v4 world title and with a new team, a return to the top half of the table could well be on the cards for Apathy if he can perform during the opening weekend.
3) Ben "Bance" Bance - Toronto Ultra
Click to enlargeHaving taken the Call of Duty world by storm during the Black Ops 3 season, Toronto Ultra’s Bance is a player that is often overlooked despite his immense in-game talent. Towards the end of the 2020 season, Bance and the Ultra began to find their footing, giving the top teams a run for their money and even securing victory at their own Home Series event.
When firing on all cylinders, Bance is an integral part of the success of the team thanks to his sheer versatility. Whether it’s stringing together multiple kills in quick succession or being able to do the dirty work so the rest of his team can fulfil their respective roles, Bance’s performances often go unnoticed despite having a significant impact during the course of a Toronto victory.
With a return to Black Ops and 4v4 competition, there is a huge chance for Bance to be considered the best European player competing in the CDL, and there's no better way to justify that claim than by scoring some wins during the opening weekend of competition.
4) Michael "MajorManiak" Szymaniak - Minnesota RØKKR
Click to enlargeThe role of the main assault rifle player often gets overlooked by the more flamboyant and aggressive SMG slayers, but it is arguably the most important role within a competitive Call of Duty team. During his tenure on the Atlanta FaZe, MajorManiak may not have featured in the hectic Hardpoint battles but was often the reason as to why his teammates were able to play their roles so well.
As the main assault rifle player, MajorManiak will often be seen locking down open lanes of the map and ensuring he’s in a position where he is able to deal damage from afar. With the switch to 4v4, the role of the main assault rifle player becomes much more important, and in order for Minnesota to have an opportunity at battling towards the top of the table, MajorManiak needs to be firing on all cylinders.
Unrivalled accuracy combined with excellent positioning makes MajorManiak one of the best main assault rifle players in the entire league. For a second consecutive season, he finds himself competing alongside three North American veterans all armed with the experience and skill to break away from the middle of the pack and contend at the top of the league table.
5) Makenzie "Mack" Kelley - New York Subliners
Click to enlargeDespite only making his professional debut in March 2020, Mack’s monumental rise into Call of Duty stardom was nothing short of spectacular. The New York Subliners sub-machine superstar quickly made an impact thanks to his aggressive slaying power that was very rarely matched by his opposition. Now settled into his role and roster, Mack is in a prime position to make his mark on the competitive Call of Duty landscape.
With James “Clayster” Eubanks joining the roster, Mack has an excellent opportunity to learn and improve alongside one of the greatest players to pick up a controller, and with a bit of guidance from the three-time world champ, Mack’s immense potential could well see him sitting in the highest tier of competition for the foreseeable future.
Heading into the Atlanta Home Series with just one match against the Los Angeles Thieves, Mack is more than capable of slaying out his often unorganised opposition, which is going to be key if New York is to begin the 2021 season with a victory on the board.
Images via Call of Duty League | MLG | New York Subliners
