While many were hoping for a return to form for the Chicago Huntsmen at their own home series, they had their shakiest ride yet during the latest leg of the Call of Duty League.
The opening day saw the team suffer a surprising 2-3 loss against the New York Subliners, showing early signs of potentially crashing out earlier than the team perhaps hoped.
The second day saw them bounce back somewhat, beating London Royal Ravens 3-1 and New York Subliners 3-1, putting them back on course for the Home Series win.
Chicago @Huntsmen end their Home Series run after @DallasEmpire deliver a swift 3-0 series sweep to enter the Finals!#BuildAnEmpire | #CDL2020pic.twitter.com/bSScsa3i19
— Call of Duty League (@CODLeague) April 26, 2020
Another disappointing t4 finish, just gotta be better. GGs Dallas
— Envoy (@DylanEnvoy) April 26, 2020
Dallas Empire however, who appear to have grown more confident since winning the LA Home Series, managed to clinch a rare 3-0 victory against Chicago Huntsmen in the semi-final – taking their first Hardpoint match ever against the team.
While matches were relatively close between the two teams, with the final Domination going down to the wire at 165-158, Dallas took a convincing victory to move onwards to the final.
They go up against Atlanta FaZe in the final, who managed to beat London Royal Ravens, New York Subliners and Seattle Surge to secure their path upwards.
The final proved to be one of the best matches of the Call of Duty League so far, with both Dallas Empire and Atlanta FaZe tussling for dominance throughout.
Dallas were the frontrunners after taking Hardpoint 250-222, but Atlanta FaZe came back to life in Search and Destroy which spanned a full 11 rounds.
With both teams letting the clock run down to secure wins, Atlanta clawed it back in the final hour for a 6-5 win – boiling down to an incredibly tense 1v1 showdown between Chris “Simp” Lehr and James “Clayster” Eubanks.
It couldn’t be any closer after that R11 SnD but @ATLFaZe‘s @SimpXO clutches up on the 1v1!
— Call of Duty League (@CODLeague) April 27, 2020
We are now even at one apiece ➡️ https://t.co/t2nSGYT2Ht#EZAF | #CDL2020 pic.twitter.com/N2emn0XQaF
Dallas Empire however reclaimed their upward momentum by winning Domination. Atlanta FaZe tried to turn the tide back again, but Dallas managed to secure the follow-up Hardpoint to win their second Home Series 3-1.
Dallas Empire are now the only team to win two home series titles, cementing their status as the best team in the entire Call of Duty League.
The Call of Duty League continues with the Florida Mutineers Home Series on 8th May.