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August 18, 2021
Call of Duty
CDL Championship Preview: Who are the teams competing to lift the trophy?
The Call of Duty League Championship Weekend begins this Thursday, August 19th, and ends on the 22nd. This will be the CDL’s grand return to LAN as the event will take place in the Galen Center in Los Angeles, California. Players will return to in-person play with the attendance of a limited, live audience. The best teams from the entire year will compete against each other in the most important, and prestigious, tournament all year. Whoever wins this tournament will crown themselves as the second CDL Champions.
Atlanta FaZe – The Crownless Kings
In the 2020 CDL Championship playoffs, the Atlanta FaZe were but only one series away from taking the title. Now, FaZe enters playoffs in a similar position. Showing sustained excellence all year long, FaZe earned themselves the number one seed and the heavy favorites to win it all. FaZe have lost the fewest maps have arguably some of the most individually talented players in the entire CDL.
Unlike many teams, Atlanta FaZe have looked strong across almost every map and game mode, heralding winning percentages across the board. FaZe also have incredibly advantageous positioning in the bracket. The team has a bye-round and will face the eventual winner between OpTic Chicago and New York Subliners. FaZe have already shown their prowess against both teams, and seem to have the most straightforward path to the finals.
Dallas Empire – Can they repeat?
Dallas Empire are the reigning CDL Champions, though the game and esports landscape looked wildly different one year ago. The 2021 season brought the return of the 4v4 competitive scene, and throughout the following off-season and regular season, the Empire’s roster has gone through several major changes. With new faces, a new look, and strategy, the Empire will have a much harder time recreating their success.
The Empire have a difficult side of the bracket, initially having to face off against Minnesota Rokkr and then potentially taking on Toronto Ultra. Dallas has a hard path before them, but flashes of greatness have shown that this team can still harken back to their championship winning ways.
Mutineers & Thieves – Staying Alive in the lower brakcet
The Florida Mutineers and LA Thieves were just able to cling on to the last two spots, but now have the worst positioning in the post-season. The LA Thieves have faced roster switch ups and consistent disappointments all season long. If there is a time for the team to step up, it is now. With their first year in the CDL, the LA Thieves could make a name for themselves as dark horses.
The Mutineers have been shaky nearly all season long. Florida have had incredible individual performances but have largely been unable to string them together. Both teams will have to face the respective losers of the first series if they hope to keep their CDL dreams alive. Though the road ahead is difficult for these teams, it is not impossible.
