Storylines - RLCS X NA - Edition #2
The Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS) Season X kicked off in North America in style. Competing in week one of The Grid, the top 16 teams in NA went head to head for crucial RLCS X points, and to set the tone in the seasons first event. Looking back at our preview, we take a look at how the key storylines unfold, before looking towards the first NA Regional event.
REVIEW - THE GRID, WEEK 1
North America started with a boom. Some rose above the expectations, such as the Susquehanna Soniqs, but when the expectations are already sky-high for teams like Spacestation Gaming, the only way to stay on top is to continue rising, as long as you don't end up like Apollo 13. Someone better check that NRG haven't crash-landed, and have only stalled their rockets.
Looking back at our key talking points, here's what happened in Week 1 of The Grid.
IS NORTH AMERICA GOING ROGUE?
CAN ROGUE CONTINUE THEIR FORM OR HAS THE HONEYMOON PERIOD ENDED?
Overtime was the killer for Rogue this week as they failed to live up to the hype. Having endured four OTs throughout their three games, they failed to capitalise on any of the occasions, ultimately being the deciding factor in their weekend. Plot Twist and Team Envy got the better of Rogue, dumping them from the event before the playoffs.
WILL ENERGY BE KEY?
JSTN AND SQUISHYMUFFINS PROVIDE THE WHEELS FOR NRG, WILL THEY HOLD THE KEY TO SUCCESS?
Clearly not. Shall we move on?
Jokes aside, NRG was tipped to possibly win Week 1, and continue their impressive form throughout the off-season. Nobody saw this coming, and if you did, you'd better go put the lottery on. Suffering a clean sweep at the hands of Susquehanna Soniqs, before two overtime clutches from The Peeps in a 3-1 defeat sent NRG crashing out. Maybe this says more about the competitiveness of the league though, rather than dismal performances.
ALL THE GEAR AND NO IDEA FOR VERSION1?
WELCOME TO THE HARSH REALITY THAT IS ROCKET LEAGUE, VERSION1
Might as well just eat my words at this point. Three out of three predictions so far couldn't have been more wrong. Typical of RLCS - you never know what to expect. Version1 by no means lit the world up, but they showed some sold performances over the weekend beating XSET and Envy to make the final eight. Only losing out to Spacestation in game 5, after losing two of three overtime matches, Version1 looked to be Spacestations toughest opponents. This can only be a good platform from them to build on.
SPACESTATION TO ROCK THE BOAT?
COULD SYPICAL, RETALS, AND ARSENAL UNSEAT NRG AND ENVY?
Finally, I got one right. Spacestation looked in complete control, avoiding the meteor shower of huge teams that came to meander them off course. Version1, G2, and Team Envy all came and were conquered by SSG, as Sypical and co. turned up the ignition.
HAVE G2 CREPT UNDER THE RADAR TO TAKE NA BY STORM?
WITH NO ROSTER CHANGES AND A QUIET OFF-SEASON, COULD G2 GET BACK ON THEIR PERCH?
G2 had a rather successful Week 1, getting into the top four. Only G2 and Alpine kept the same roster from Season 9, and it paid dividends for G2. Signing a multi-year deal with the organisation, until 2022, Rizzo, JKnaps and Chicago proved why they didn't need a change, contesting to be the best in NA. Just falling short in the semi-finals, G2 set the tone for their season.
WHO CAN EMERGE AS THE BEST OF THE REST?
COULD PLOT TWIST AND OMELETTE CAUSE MORE UPSETS?
Omelette cracked again. Although they didn't make it to the final four, they were the only team to beat Spacestation, sending them to the losers round in the group stages.
Special mention has to go to JRuss and the Susquehanna Soniqs too. Most had written them off for the season, but they've shown that they're not lying down.
Click to enlarge- Read More - RLCS X: Power Rankings NA - Edition #1
PREVIEW - THE GRID WEEK 2 / REGIONAL 1, STAGE 1
This week sees North America go head to head in Week 2 of The Grid, as well as kicking off their first Regional Event of RLCS. Competing in Stage 1 this week, followed by Stage two and the Playoffs next weekend, where 32 teams will compete in the swiss format in an action-packed four days.
Here's what we expect to unfold this week.
CAN NRG REIGNITE THE FIRE?
AFTER A POOR SHOW IN THE GRID, CAN NRG OVERCOME COMPLACENCY?
NRG must surely bounce back this week. Whilst they're far from a polished diamond, the anomaly that was Week 1 will have only lit a fire from underneath them. Teams drawn against them this week will be fearing the worst. I'm backing them to get back to normal, and find themselves in the top four this week.
HAVE TEAMS FOUND THE ROGUE OPERATOR?
HAVE TEAMS SUSSED ROGUE OUT AFTER THEIR IMPRESSIVE OFFSEASON BUT POOR WEEK 1 IN THE GRID?
Rogue just couldn't get over the line in Week 1, but only a brave soul would bet against them putting up a better fight this week. The top four may be a step too far as they fine-tune their attacks, but you won't see them get swept 3-0. If they bow out before the semi-finals, it's likely that an overtime solo effort will send them home. I fear they lack the clutch factor. Also, I expect Rogue to make light work of Stage 1, great team cohesion will see them fend off lower-seeded teams, whilst they have no reason to be complacent.
ANOTHER TYPICAL SYPICAL?
IS IT ABOUT TIME WE CROWN SYPICAL AND CO. AS THE BEST IN NA?
Speaking of clutch. The king of NA is walking around in his crown made of chrome. Inspired by their impressive form, they'll look to do an early double, thriving off confidence. However, Envy will be dusting themselves off from last weeks final defeat and plotting their revenge. If these two meet, Turbo will be on the prowl to tip Envy over the line.
WILL JRUSS CONTINUE HIS SUPERSONIQ FORM?
MOST HAD WRITTEN SUSQUEHANNA SONIQS OFF, BUT IS JRUSS THE SPARK THEY NEEDED?
JRuss is the name on most people's lips after last week. A dismal offseason for the Soniqs saw the playmaker come in towards the end of the transfer period, and some huge solo efforts saw JRuss push Susquehanna into the top four. With such great talent often comes inconsistency, and it's hard to see players allowing him the space to pull off the incredible this time around.
WHO CAN CAUSE THE BIGGEST PLOT TWIST THIS WEEK?
WHO WILL EMERGE AS THE UNDERDOG OF STAGE 1?
Whilst Plot Twist will have a heavy focus on Stage 1, the likelihood is that other teams may have their eyes on The Grid, leaving room for bubble sides to break into the top 16 for Regional 1. Bubble teams such as 72PC, Jamal Jabary, and Team Frontline will be looking to sneak into the top eight of their groups, possible capitalising on the fatigue of teams competing in The Gird. With this being the first weekend that NA teams will be running in the grid and regionals over the same weekend, the underdogs will be freshly awaiting any lapses in concentration.
THE GRID - WEEK 2 PREDICTIONS
Here's how I see Week 2 unfolding...
Click to enlargeREGIONAL 1, STAGE 1 PREDICTIONS
Stage 1 throws up some interesting storylines, but predictions can be hard to come by with the formatting. Here's five major things that I can see happening...
Click to enlargeSpacestation and Rogue could be two of four teams that will go 3-0 in stage one. With consistency and a solid rotational formation, they're unlikely to be picked off by fresh and aggressive bubble teams. Alpine and Charlotte Phoenix have yet to set the world alight, and they could be two sides that make way for 72PC and Jamal Jabary in the final 16. A tough one to call, however, it could be back to the drawing board for a few teams on the fringe this week.
GGRecon's NA MVP is a new feature, and with this, I can see AxB of Version1 settling into the roster and being the outstanding performer in this week's Stage 1. A prediction for most improved this week is pretty much a no brainer, as NRG flopped last week. They'll be back better than ever this week.
The Grid, Week 2 will kick off at 10pm BST on Thursday, August 13, whilst the first Regional Event will get underway on Saturday 15, at 5:30pm BST.
Stay tuned here at GGRecon for more Rocket League esports news.
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