The fourth Call of Duty homestand of the season kicks off Saturday in Los Angeles amid coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns that have led organizers to take extra precautions. The weekend will kick off with a rematch of the Atlanta final, as the Atlanta FaZe take on the Florida Mutineers, who will be without their star player Preston "Prestinni" Sanderson. Can they or the Dallas Empire, who just got a new coach and GM, challenge the Atlanta FaZe in a tough Group B? Also, can either Los Angeles team make a run, and will either get much support from the crowd? Emily Rand, Tyler Erzberger and Arda Ocal tackle these questions and more in this week's roundtable.
Atlanta, Dallas and Florida are in the same group this time around. Who do you think will miss the bracket cutoff?
Rand: It's difficult to bet on Florida, far more difficult than it is to bet on Dallas or Atlanta. Atlanta are fresh off of a tournament win and looked fairly dominant throughout with the exception of a scare against the Minnesota RØKKR. Few teams can go toe-to-toe with the FaZe in sheer slaying power, but in Atlanta, Florida did that. Dallas is somewhere below Atlanta in my mind, but given the time off to regroup and improve, they're likely to look even better than they did in London where they were a tournament finalist. Preston "Prestinni" Sanderson has been Florida's consistent and standout star, and he won't be in L.A. One of the reasons why Florida was able to make it to the grand final in Atlanta was not only due to Prestinni, but also Cesar "Skyz" Bueno and Bradley "Frosty" Bergstrom heating up at points. For Florida to play spoiler to another favored team they'll need more consistent performances from the rest of the team on a weekend when their best performer in Prestinni won't be attending.
Erzberger: Sorry, Florida, I'm still believing in the "big 3" of FaZe, Huntsmen and Empire. While the Empire didn't look good during debut weekend of the Call of Duty League, they returned with a pep in their step and a sharper gameplan in London where they made it all the way to the final before ultimately losing to their rivals from Chicago. I know Prestinni & Co. made a surprise final in Atlanta where the Empire weren't present, and there is no question the Mutineers are a tough team, but I think the extra rest and preparation time for the Empire will serve them well.
Atlanta, far and away the best team so far, will more than likely cruise to another tournament final. If Dallas plays like they did in London, Florida could upend them, but I think after a disappointing performance in their first run and an optimistic finish in their second, the third time will be the charm for the Empire in Los Angeles.
Ocal: The thing with the groups is they are designed to make sure that teams don't necessarily meet each other in the group stage every single tournament, even if some teams sit out. So we will get group stage variety at each home series. I like Atlanta and Dallas meeting early then possibly again in the final. That would make for great competition and viewing. Florida? They have something to prove. Even with a final appearance, a reverse sweep on the Huntsmen and Prestinni getting his moment of vindication on stage, the vibe from many is, "Was that a fluke? Are they truly top three?" I do love that we begin the L.A. home series with a rematch of the Atlanta final. It gives Florida a chance to avenge the emphatic 3-0 loss and silence critics. Will they rise to the occasion? We shall see. Prestinni staying home this weekend is a surprise. Hopefully it's nothing serious and he's able to bounce back. He has tweeted "sorry the real panini has been absent for the past month or two." Taking care of yourself first is much more important than any job.
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Will either L.A. team make it to the bracket stage?
Rand: There's a chance, and it's thanks in large part to the fact that Florida, Dallas and Atlanta are all on the other side of the bracket. I'm fully expecting the RØKKR to come out as the winner of Group A, which leaves both Los Angeles teams duking it out with each other and the Seattle Surge for the final spot. Seattle are a bit better than their record shows, and had the misfortune of having both the Chicago Huntsmen and the Dallas Empire in their group in London.
The other interesting hiccup for me is the home crowd situation. The Atlanta fans were solidly behind their home team despite a sparse crowd compared to London. I'm unsure as to what to expect in Los Angeles, as this new OpTic team has only been met with derision from every crowd they've been in front of thus far, and the Guerrillas haven't accrued a large fan base yet. Part of me is wondering just how many fans in the audience will be behind the L.A. teams over a team like FaZe or the Empire.
Erzberger: If neither draw much fan support, then we can safely say the two most embarrassing Los Angeles sports franchises are in the Call of Duty League. I'm not expecting either to make it out of the group in the No. 1 spot as Minnesota should have that on lock after back-to-back impressive homestand performances, but at least one of them has to make it into the top four with a shuffling and equally disappointing Surge also in the group.
Out of the two, I'd put my money on the Guerillas. They've traded out their squeakiest wheels and have invested in up-and-coming talent with their recent roster decisions, so I think they should look more alive than they did in their previous outing. They should be easy pickings for the likes of Atlanta or Dallas, but the Guerrillas (or Optic L.A.) need to salvage something in front of the hometown crowds.
As an L.A. native, I'm not expecting much. At least we have the Lakers and Clippers.
Watch: OpTic L.A. like a puzzle that hasn't been put together yet
Ocal: At first glance, probably not. At least with Optic L.A. Of the five bottom teams, they are the only one not to make any changes (Toronto hasn't either, but they have a 10 man roster). They have zero points, they've won only three maps all season. Even with the quality of players here, it's hard to think they will suddenly jump out of this slump on their home turf.
The Guerrillas, meanwhile, have made changes, adding Kris "Spart" Cervantez and Reece "Vivid" Drost. Spart just won Challengers last weekend with the Atlanta FaZe in Atlanta. Vivid has bigtime experience, including setting the record in the August 2019 Call of Duty World Championships for most Search and Destroy match kills with 20, playing for Sage Esports vs. Envy. They might not be proven in the CDL, but they might pop off and prove to be valuable to LAG, which would be a great launch for them on home soil. On paper, LAG have the better chance to make it to the bracket stage.
Read more: This week's CDL coaches poll | What we learned from the Atlanta homestand
Preston "Prestinni" Sanderson and Alec "Arcitys" Sanderson dive into their first match against each other after always playing on the same team.
What's the biggest unknown entering this weekend?
Rand: For me it's not a team but rather the aforementioned crowd situation. OpTic Gaming Los Angeles have been met with boos and chants of "you're not OpTic" at both events they've attended thus far, a testament to just how many former OpTic fans followed Seth "Scump" Abner and Hector "H3CZ" Rodriguez to the Chicago Huntsmen. Meanwhile, the Guerrillas have built their brand around being a scrappy, villain-type team, and that kind of branding typically takes longer to gain support from fans, especially as a new franchise that just made major roster substitutions before their first home tournament.
Call of Duty crowds have historically been insanely strong and supportive of the teams that they're behind, but only those teams. Franchising has given a chance for teams to build their own following -- look no further than the odd success of the RØKKR, who had a surprisingly dedicated home crowd at their first event and early-morning watch parties for the team during the FaZe event -- but for these two LA teams, it's an odd time. I'm very curious to see what the crowd will look like this weekend given everything I previously mentioned plus fears of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and the fact that people are generally avoiding large public gatherings for health and safety.
Erzberger: I'm looking at the Subliners. It has been, per usual, a horrific week for New York sports. The Knicks and their most famous fan, Spike Lee, are in a messy public feud as they continue to go nowhere as a franchise. Not to be outdone, the father of Subliner substitute Doug "Censor" Martin went on a tirade on social media against his son's struggling team, using words like "loser" and "hot head" to describe some of his son's teammates. In another surprising plot twist, Censor's father came to the conclusion that his son is the answer to turning the ship around in New York City.
Lavar Ball had similar outbursts last year while watching his son Lonzo Ball struggle in the NBA while playing with LeBron James on the Lakers. Lonzo was traded to New Orleans. There might not be a New Orleans Call of Duty franchise, but if Censor's father continues his rants, the Subliners might create one to trade him to it.
Like Lonzo, though, Censor did come out and apologize for his father's outburst, and as someone who can respect the fire to see their kid have the best opportunity possible, I do hope Censor gets a chance to play in one of the upcoming tournaments.
Ocal: I'm with Tyler, what is the team morale like for NYSL right now? We know Censor has been vocal about gunning for a spot, and there's nothing wrong with that (especially since he believes he can back it up with results). I respect the hustle, and even if we chalk up his dad's Instagram post to a passionate parent wanting the best for his son and being a little misguided, we need to know this team is unified. Trei "Zer0" Morris has been benched for Nick "Happy" Suda. There are already changes being made in the Big Apple. If I'm a NYSL fan I want to know my team has good vibes right now, that the team is getting along, that there is cohesion, that they are focused as a group to win. Is that the case? Or is there more to come here?
Which team has the best chance to make a surprise final run a la Florida?
Rand: For true shock value? The Seattle Surge. For who I actually think could topple Atlanta or Dallas, the Minnesota RØKKR. When it comes down to it, between these teams, only the RØKKR have demonstrated that when their guns are hot, they can keep up with the likes of Atlanta in one-on-one gunfights.
Erzberger: The Subliners actually play their multitime champion Censor and let him get to work. After proving the New York front office wrong for benching the best player in the game, the Subliners use their momentum in Los Angeles to make a run, with Censor being named league MVP at the end of the season.
This may or may not have been written by Censor's father.
Watch: An interview with Mutineers coach Ricky "Atura" Lugo
Ocal: Minnesota for sure, but I don't know if people will be surprised -- maybe if they win and beat Dallas and Atlanta in the process. Their stock is definitely rising; people are bullish on the RØKKR. Gary Vaynerchuk (better known as Gary Vee) knows how to pick investments. He plucked this franchise like an undervalued Joe Carter baseball card that he flipped for three times the price. Except this time he's holding on to the team because he knows they will become winners. The team has a lot of great parts, the city support is impressive (keep showing us the watch parties on broadcast!) and there is a great staff working there. I really feel this team is built to stay competitive long term.
Prediction time: Who's your pick for the champion of the L.A. homestand?
Rand: I'm giving a strong advantage to the Atlanta FaZe. There are few teams that can keep up with them individually, never mind when you consider their scary instantaneous synergy that they've had since their league debut in Minnesota. The only two teams here that I can see beating the FaZe would be an Empire team when everyone is performing at their highest level or Minnesota if they get hot and win their individual gunfights.
Erzberger: In all seriousness, I'll say the FaZe make quick work of the Los Angeles Guerillas in one semifinal and the Dallas Empire take out a difficult Minnesota Røkkr to pave the way for a tantalizing finale. Though, when push comes to shove, I'm not betting against the young guns from Atlanta until somebody beats them. The Atlanta FaZe, as lyrical poet Drake once said, are going back to back.
Ocal: Dallas upset Atlanta in the final map in dramatic fashion and we all ask the question, "How will the tiny terrors bounce back?" That creates a massive traffic jam at the top of the table with the CDL trinity of Chicago, Dallas and Atlanta, each with one homestand title this season, battling it out for GOAT status. I like it.