Day two of the Florida Home Series was a prime example of how high the level of competition is as the season creeps towards the halfway stage. With teams looking to secure their place in the knockout bracket, the day was filled with everything from controversial decisions from referees to games being decided by the narrowest of margins.
Atlanta defeat London in controversial match
At the beginning of the group B qualifying match between the Atlanta FaZe and the London Royal Ravens, the Royal Ravens began to eliminate each other to signal a restart of the map due to one of its players being absent. The wide consensus was that the map would be restarted but when Atlanta began to take control of the opening Hardpoint hills, it was clear that the game was not getting restarted. London did manage to avoid becoming members of the 100-point club but Atlanta won the map. The Royal Ravens responded in emphatic fashion, winning Arklov Peak S&D 6-1 to level the series.
Hackney Yard Domination saw the teams separated by just 10 points but it was Atlanta that raced into a 2-1 lead. The FaZe turned up the heat yet again on Gun Runner Hardpoint, taking the map 250-130 and the series 3-1.
After the match, Matthew "Skrapz" Marshall expressed his frustration on social media:
Toronto stun Minnesota
Synonymous for its immense roster depth and excellent S&D strategy, the Toronto Ultra looked to make it into the knockout bracket for the first time this season, with a win over the Minnesota RØKKR.
The Ultra started on the front foot, taking Hackney Yard Hardpoint 250-192 to kick off the series but Minnesota answered back on Piccadilly S&D to level the series at one game apiece.
Another close Hackney Yard Domination went in favour of Toronto, putting them within touching distance of a maiden appearance in CDL Sunday and with the momentum fully in their favour, the Ultra dispatched of Minnesota with a clinical victory on Rammaza Hardpoint to qualify for the championship bracket.
Honeymoon period continues for OpTic LA
Prior to OpTic Gaming Los Angeles taking on the Paris Legion, the opening game ended when all players were absent, something that didn't happen in London's game against Atlanta, raising questions surrounding competitive integrity in the league. Despite the controversial start, the Green Wall struck first, winning Rammaza Hardpoint 250-231. Paris looked to be responding with a win of their own on Arklov Peak S&D but OpTic managed to win the eleventh and deciding round to take a surprising 2-0 lead.
Heading into St. Petrograd Domination, the Legion had it all to do but the Green Wall stood tall, locking in an unbreakable triple-cap to run away with the game, securing a 3-0 sweep.
It looks like the addition of Martin "Chino" Chino is paying off for OpTic LA, is this the catalyst for a huge run towards the top of the table?
New York sweep tournament hosts Florida
Ever since acquiring the services of Mackenzie "Mack" Kelley, the New York Subliners have been on an upward spiral as the team looks to put a disastrous start to the league behind them.
Rammaza Hardpoint saw Donovan "Temp" Laroda shine alongside sub-machine gun partner Mack as the Subliners took the game 250-194. Florida weren't out just yet, opening Rammaza S&D with some quick fire rounds to build a comfortable lead. Despite this, New York managed to force a round eleven decider which they were able to win, giving them a 2-0 lead while the Mutineers wondered what was happening.
With the momentum rolling for New York and Mack dealing devastating damage with the MP5, the Subliners secured Hackney Yard Domination 177-143 to qualify for the knockout bracket at the expense of the tournament hosts.
OpTic LA avenge London loss
Having already played each other on day one, an in-form OpTic LA were looking for revenge against a London team that had just been handed a controversial loss. Having gone the distance on Friday, another close match was anticipated.
The Green Wall came out swinging on Azhir Cave Hardpoint, winning the map 250-199 with solid showings from Thomas "TJHaLy" Haly and Austin "Slasher" Liddicoat.
OpTic dispatched of the Royal Ravens on St. Petrograd with a 6-1 victory, putting London on the back foot against a team that they beat just 24 hours earler. A good opening half from the Royal Ravens on Hackney Yard Domination looked to restore some confidence in the team but OpTic responded thanks to a great performance from Slasher with the assault rifle in the closing stages of the game.
OpTic had avenged their earlier defeat to London, a team where questions surrounding a potential roster change are coming into light.
New York stand strong against Minnesota
Having lost to Toronto earlier in the day, Minnesota had it all to do against a confident New York Subliners team if they were to make it to Sunday.
Rammaza could not have been any closer, with New York taking the opening game by a single point to take an early series lead. A single round decided St. Petrograd S&D, with the Subliners taking the game to give themselves a 2-0 lead. Once again it was Mack dealing the damage with his ruthless aggression with the SMG to catch the slower Minnesota players off guard.
Gun Runner Domination was yet another close game but it was New York who walked away with a 159-150 victory to eliminate Minnesota from the tournament.
The standout from this series was Mack. The addition of this young star has done wonders for this New York team, which is now beginning to find its feet as the season enters its second half where it is still all to play for.
The regular season's top two teams, Atlanta FaZe and Dallas Empire, face off in the Call of Duty League Grand Final.
