It’s protected to say worldwide competitors isn’t at all times a enjoyable time for a North American fan. For a whole yr, followers construct up the thrill of seeing their favourite LCS squad sort out the world on the largest stage, solely to be swept in about the identical time it took to make their espresso. Staff Liquid, nonetheless, has constructed a program that North American followers may be pleased with.
For a few years, Cloud9 was the “savior” of North America, constantly going the furthest of any LCS squad at Worlds. Whereas their accomplishments ought to be famous within the historical past of the LCS, there hasn’t been a group for fairly a while that has strung collectively the consistency to look aggressive throughout the calendar yr. And that’s what Staff Liquid has completed to this point.
A distinct method for Staff Liquid LoL
Except you have been a member of the Staff Liquid LoL program, it’s protected to say you have been uncertain this yr would quantity to a lot. After a troubled 2023 marketing campaign, which noticed them bomb out of the 2023 LoL World Championship with no win to their title, TL needed to make adjustments.
Staff Liquid doubled down on their academy graduates Sean “Yeon” Sung and Eain “APA” Stearns, two younger gamers who didn’t present their greatest in Korea. Even with the stress from the group to make these adjustments, TL stood agency, changing Park “Summit” Woo-tae for the returning Jeong “Affect” Eon-young and Hong “Pyosik” Chang-hyeo for Um “UmTi” Sung-hyeon.
It was a gradual begin for the previous LCS champions. The squad limped to a 7-7 common season end, and the stress was mounting on the group as they stared down the barrel of but extra roster errors. This was till the playoffs, nonetheless.
TL performed a detailed and respectable upper-bracket match with the playoff favourite in FlyQuest. And whereas it didn’t go TL’s means within the higher bracket, the squad kicked it into excessive gear and dominated the remainder of playoffs, together with the rematch towards FLY. This win marked their return to the Mid-Season Invitational for the primary time since 2019 once they made the finals.
Worldwide performances NA may be longing for
Staff Liquid is celebrating their victory within the LCS. Picture by Colin Younger-Wolff/Riot Video games
Though TL did have a powerful playoff efficiency, many doubted how they’d fare on the worldwide stage. Because the North American first seed, you need to showcase your ability towards groups you need to be higher than. This contains each LEC group exterior of G2, which has constantly put up aggressive performances at MSI and Worlds towards the East.
And whereas, in my view, North America isn’t able to make that bounce, they should, on the very least, present they’re higher than their closest rivals in Europe.
Staff Liquid did that throughout the 2024 Mid-Season Invitational and the Esports World Cup. Staff Liquid put Europe’s second seed, Fnatic, to the sword. Each sequence weren’t shut, and Staff Liquid showcased their power towards one in every of Europe’s greatest groups. This ought to be the usual for a North American first seed any further. We’re not anticipating them to overthrow the LCK or the LPL, however it’s unacceptable for an NA first seed to lose to anybody however G2 from Europe.
Can NA ever stand towards T1?
After which there may be T1, the reigning world champions and a thorn in North America’s facet. Traditionally, the LCS has fared terribly towards this group, so it’s comprehensible how we had no expectations of even having a aggressive match towards the LCK juggernaut, however we have been unsuitable. Staff Liquid LoL at MSI arguably ought to have gained. They’d avenues to win the sequence towards T1, which is outstanding in itself when dealing with the likes of Faker and Zeus.
The one factor TL has that may match the East is its preparation. They’re glorious at it, their macro recreation is strong, and so they at all times give themselves a preventing probability. This was the case in each sequence towards T1 this yr. TL had it of their fingers however couldn’t shut it out. As disappointing because the outcomes have been, the performances showcased a North American group that might put collectively a program that seemed aggressive on the worldwide stage, and that’s what all followers are asking for.
