Coming into the third week, the Los Angeles Valiant finally have a win under their belt after beating the Atlanta Reign in a very close series. However, they still ended up falling to their rivals the Los Angeles Gladiators. The Valiant’s only match this week looks very promising. With the morale boost from snagging their first win of the season, and simply who their opponent is in week three, they should have little trouble grabbing their second win.
Courtesy of the Overwatch League
This series was seen as the Los Angeles Valiant’s best chance at finally getting their first win of the season in Week 2, and they delivered. Although, it was quite a nail biter.
The Valiant looked overall shaky, with the tiebreaker map even going to a tiebreaker round. However, there was definite improvement seen among the Valiant squad, with their coordination and ultimate usage looking generally better than in their previous matches. It seems it was the right call to bring out DPS Kyle “KSF” Frandanisa and support Scott “Custa” Kennedy for this series. The match ended 3-2 in favor of the Los Angeles Valiant.
Bringing out KSF was not only the right call, but instrumental to the Valiant’s victory in this match. His impact was very noticeable, especially when the time came to bring out the actual DPS heroes. His Widowmaker was nothing short of impressive. He showed everyone why he was brought on in the first place. His time as one of the main benchwarmers has likely come to end after that performance.
Courtesy of Heroes Never Die
The general consensus has been that the Los Angeles Valiant are the weakest of the California teams. Statistically, this is true. Though now, it has been confirmed on stage. However, the Valiant did perform significantly better against the Gladiators than they did against the Shock. The series ended up being a 2-1 in favor of the LA Gladiators. This means that the Valiant were able to tie up one of the maps, and even pull out a win on another one. Although they’ve been known throughout this season to put on a show and still lose, this performance combined with their victory over the Reign shows at least some improvement.
Once again, KSF will be receiving the award of player of the match. The team’s success throughout Week 2 would not have been possible without him. Despite ultimately losing the series against the Gladiators, where the Valiant did find success, KSF was one of the players who consistently had a large role in it.
Courtesy of the Overwatch League
The Washington Justice will be the Los Angeles Valiant’s weakest opponents yet. This is very good news, as it will mean most likely another win for the Valiant squad. Although they’re easy opponents, a win is a win, and will certainly help keep the LA Valiant’s spirits high. Though, it’s important to not completely count the Justice out. They have struggled this season in the same way the Valiant have, just with more matches played.
Overall, though, the Los Angeles Valiant are looking much stronger than the Washington Justice. They have the individual talent, and have made strides in improving their gameplay. If the Valiant’s opponents were a higher tier team then that wouldn’t have much of an impact, but the Justice are one of the bottom three teams in the league. Against the Valiant, they will most likely put up somewhat of a fight, but not enough to truly overpower them.
If the LA Valiant take what they did well in the Atlanta match and apply it in this upcoming series, they will come out the victors.
Prediction: Valiant win 3-1
Custa is fresh off the bench and ready to lead. Because of his role as main support, his impact in the team is not as noticeable as some of the other players, but rest assured it is certainly there. He is one of the most skilled shotcallers in the league and therefore a great leader. He, along with KSF, are looking good to become the new mainstays of the starting line up for the LA Valiant.
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Featured image courtesy of the Overwatch League
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