It took almost two years, but the LA Thieves have finally defeated the Atlanta FaZe. The Thieves had not beaten FaZe since the beginning of the 2021 Cold War season. However, with their 2022 season possibly on the line, LA came through in the clutch and dominated Atlanta in round one of the Major IV winner’s bracket. This win gives the Thieves a much-needed 20 CDL Points and puts them into a stronger position to secure a Champs spot.
This is the first time Atlanta has lost their round one match all season. The 2021 world champions struggled during the Major IV qualifiers, going 3-2. That inconsistent play continued on LAN at Major IV, as Atlanta looked discombobulated throughout the four maps against LA. Chris “Simp” Lehr even tweeted that he might have played his “worst series ever.” FaZe is still a favorite to make the loser’s bracket gauntlet run but this is the worst position they’ve been in at a major all season.
Atlanta falls to the LA Thieves for first time
The @LAThieves grab their FIRST EVER win against @ATLFaZe in the CDL!
One step closer to qualifying for #CDLChamps.#LAThieves | #CDL2022 pic.twitter.com/AdufDeHgwL
— Call of Duty League (@CODLeague) July 15, 2022
This series started out as every other winner’s bracket match did today. The LA Thieves went up big in the first two maps, dominating both maps, Hardpoint then Search and Destroy on Tuscan. Dylan “Envoy” Hannon was lights out in both matches, finishing with a 1.70 KD in the Hardpoint and a 2.00 KD in the S&D.
As Major IV has gone, the map three Control went to the team down 0-2. Atlanta bounced back on Tuscan Control, even though it took all five rounds. Simp led FaZe with a 1.37 KD while LA’s Sam “Octane” Larew was the only member of his team to finish positive.
While FaZe was in a position to take things to a game five, LA wanted the win more. They began the map four Hardpoint on Berlin hot, going up big through the first round of rotations. While Atlanta mounted a small comeback, the Thieves took control of the rotations and refused to give up the lead, taking the map win and the series.
Every member of the LA Thieves finished with a positive KD while only McArthur “Cellium” Jovel managed a positive KD for FaZe. LA now moves on to round two of the winner’s bracket where they’ll face the Toronto Ultra. Atlanta drops to the loser’s bracket and will play the Paris Legion.
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