Week 3 was the Los Angeles Valiant’s most stunning week, and for the best reasons possible. They did the unexpected twice, all while looking like the actual stronger team doing it. It’s safe to say that the LA Valiant are finally out of their rut.
Review
Shanghai Dragons (10-8)
This match happened just two weeks after the Dragons had beaten the Valiant in a convincing 3-1. Los Angeles only took that one map after the series went to 3-0. Therefore, no one knew that they would end up being so dominant in this rematch.
However, it wasn’t just dumb luck or an off-game by Shanghai to give the LA Valiant this victory. This series saw the team bring in Johannes “Shax” Nielsen in place of Indy “SPACE” Halpern. Shax played Sombra throughout the series, and that was a big factor that gave the Valiant the edge to eventually take the series 3-1 themselves.
Player of the Match
Not only was Shax a key part of the LA Valiant’s success in this series, it was also his debut match in the Overwatch League. Needless to say it couldn’t have gone much better.
Vancouver Titans (19-1)
The whole of Week 3 reached its boiling point in this series. The prediction was almost unanimous: most likely 4-0, at best a 3-1. All of this of course in favor of the Vancouver Titans. The fans got their 3-1, though not how they foresaw it. For the first time in the regular season, Vancouver struggled to keep up with their opponent.
The Los Angeles Valiant continued with Shax on the starting roster, and his Sombra became the bane of the Titans’ 3-3 that they play so well. Furthermore, when Vancouver tried to play their own mix of GOATS and DPS, they were simply outclassed by the Valiant.
Los Angeles would go on to take the series 3-1, with the Vancouver Titans only winning the first map of the series.
Player of the Match
Player of the match goes indisputably to the Sleep Dart demon, Young-seo “KariV” Park. His Ana looked like it could be the best in the world. Though, when it came time to play Dorado, it really did look like the best.
Preview
Hangzhou Spark (12-7)
The Valiant seem to now have a thing for revenge against previous opponents who beat them. Just this stage they’ve defeated the Guangzhou Charge, Shanghai Dragons and Vancouver Titans. The Hangzhou Spark have also looked solid, though. They are certainly one of the top teams in the league as of now.
Although, with the LA Valiant’s new form, they look unstoppable. If they continue to play Shax on Sombra, and KariV continues to play Ana at the level he’s clearly capable of, then it would be foolish to think that Los Angeles will fall to the Spark.
Prediction: Valiant 3-1 Spark
London Spitfire (12-7)
London have an identical overall record to Hangzhou, but have looked weaker this stage. Still, it’s important not to count them out, as they are not one of the lower tier teams in the Overwatch League. Again, though, the Valiant are on a roll, and look to have found their formula for success.
This series will certainly depend on how the Los Angeles Valiant fare against the Spark, as they aren’t too far from the Spitfire. If the Valiant can pull off a 3-1 or 4-0 against Hangzhou, then it’s more than likely that they will pull out a similar result against the London Spitfire.
Prediction: Valiant 3-1 Spitfire
Player to Watch
After such an outstanding performance from KariV, everyone is hungry for more. His Ana play is fun to watch, and it’s looking like it’s at its peak.
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Featured image courtesy of Robert Paul for the Overwatch League
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