The home stretch of the inaugural CDL season is here. There are three events left until Call of Duty Championships and it is crunch time. Teams had at least three weeks to prepare for CDL New York and should be prepared to compete. The Chicago Huntsmen seek to book their spot in the top-two once again. With the Florida Mutineers not in attendance, this is a prime opportunity for Chicago. Do the Huntsmen have what it takes to regain their spot at the top?
Courtesy of the London Royal Ravens
The London Royal Ravens have been a wildcard team all year. London sit right in the middle of the pack in sixth place. Throughout the season, the Royal Ravens have pushed top teams to the brink and even won some of these series. London have two events left to break away from the middle of the pack. The bottom seven teams are all separated by 40 points. As time runs out, the Royal Ravens look to break away from the bottom teams and earn a top seed at Champs.
Chicago are undefeated against London this season; however, both series were extremely close. Paris always give Chicago a run for their money despite never winning. It is imperative for the Huntsmen to win map one on Friday. London often came out of the gates very hot. Even in map one losses, it is not uncommon for London to get at least 200 points. Chicago are the winningest map one team in the CDL this season. Friday’s opening match will be one of the more important first maps of the season. Chicago need to start this event off well to truly display their dominance.
The biggest room for improvement, albeit quite difficult, is stopping Wuskin in Search and Destroy. Last time the Royal Ravens played Chicago, the Huntsmen struggled to contain him and did not have an answer. Additionally, the Huntsmen have had volatile performances in Search and Destroy this season. Taking the second map from London would be a great first step in demonstrating their improvements over the past month.
Chicago have a very tough group. Regardless of a win or loss in the first round, the second round will be highly contested. Chicago will either play the New York Subliners or Minnesota ROKKR. Despite a lower spot in the standings, the Huntsmen have struggled against the New York Subliners this season. Both teams play fast-paced and consistent Call of Duty. Chicago surely have their hands full if they plan to make it to bracket play.
Courtesy of HiTechIdentity
Throughout his Call of Duty career, FormaL always gets hot at the end of the year heading into Champs. At CDL Minnesota, FormaL had the second-highest K/D ratio of all competitors with a 1.28. There was a very influential nerf to the MP5 this past week, which will give more power to the AR players. Given this shift in the meta, FormaL will arguably be even better in future events. The Chicago Huntsmen are likely to lean on his extraordinary talent and resume to propel them back to the top.
While London gives Chicago a tough time, Chicago will still emerge victoriously. Their respawn gameplay is too strong and London will not have enough answers to counter the talented Huntsmen roster. Chicago’s resume, experience and adjustment to the meta are all tailwinds that will help Chicago reach Championship Sunday.
Featured image courtesy of the Call of Duty League
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