As the Call of Duty League progresses, the dividing line between the top teams continues to blur between shaky performances and rising rosters.
The biggest success story across the Florida Mutineers Home Series was the rise of Los Angeles OpTic Gaming, who made the decision to bench Jordan “JKap” Kaplan for Martin “Chino” Chino in what proved to be a key roster change.
With their new line-up, the team managed to achieve their best run yet – reaching the final after taking down Paris Legion, London Royal Ravens and Toronto Ultra.
In the final they faced Atlanta FaZe who, while the favourite heading into this series, didn’t show the kind of dominance they’ve been known for. Their semi-final battle against New York Subliners particularly showed cracks in their play, only narrowly beating a vastly improved Subliners 3-2.
BACK ON TOP! #EZAF
— Atlanta FaZe (@ATLFaZe) May 11, 2020
We are your #CDL2020 Florida Home Series Winners!@Cellium – @majormaniak – @aBeZy – @SimpXO – @Priestahh – @JamesCrowder – @RJTheSlothbear – @Its_EasyMac pic.twitter.com/wOytBlcrcr
It proved to be an incredibly close final, with OpTic Gaming gaining the advantage by beating Atlanta FaZe in the opening Hardpoint 250-232.
They looked on course to take the second game Search and Destroy too, only for Atlanta FaZe to claw their way back in a tense 1v1 battle between Cellium and TJHaLy – with the former managing to secure the win 6-5.
WOW @Cellium!
— Call of Duty League (@CODLeague) May 11, 2020
In danger of going down 0-2 in the series, he clutches a 1v2 to win the S&D for @ATLFaZe!
1-1 TIED finals vs @OpTicGaming LA: https://t.co/JiBjw1i7GV#EZAF | #CDL2020pic.twitter.com/p3nhIPldMm
While OpTic Gaming kept the pressure on FaZe, it proved to be the turning point of the match – with FaZe winning Domination 170-149 and the second Hardpoint 250-232.
This marks the second home series victory for Atlanta FaZe after sweeping their own series back in February, securing their status as possibly the best team in the league.
The rise of OpTic Gaming however will be truly tested when Chicago Huntsmen and Dallas Empire are back in the mix, although it’s certainly an impressive turnaround for a team who were trawling behind in the standings.
Florida Mutineers however couldn’t quite replicate their rapid rise in their own home series, crashing out in the early stages after losing to New York Subliners 3-0.
The Call of Duty League continues with the Seattle Surge Home Series on 22nd May.