In an absolute shocker, the Houston Outlaws managed to upset the San Francisco Shock 3-2. The Shock played well but the Outlaws just played better, with each team looking absolutely dominant on the maps that they took. This match breaks the 11-game winning streak that the Shock were riding into this match and gives them much to consider before their other match this weekend.
Photo: Robert Paul for Blizzard Entertainment
The Outlaws came out on Nepal looking like a completely different team than we are used to seeing. The Shock struggled to get good use out of Minki “Viol2t” Park’s Transcendences due to the solid Sombra and Ana play from the Outlaws. The Shock did anything but roll over. On the second map, they came back and completely exploited the Hammond pick from Houston. With the round tied at 1-1, the Shock remained on 3-3 to attempt to counter Houston’s Sombra/Doomfist composition. But, in the end, Houston managed to take the map and the round, 2-1.
The Outlaws came out once again trying some serious trickery. One map smarter, the Shock were able to stay consistent and provide consistent harassment to the enemy Mercy. When it was all said and done, the Shock had full-held the Outlaws on point A. On offense, the Shock managed to make quick work of the Outlaws and their pesky DPS characters. The teams were tied 1-1 going into halftime.
On the Shock’s opening attack round, they only managed to suffer two fatalities, while eliminating Houston players 34 times. Similar to Horizon, the Shock came back out and made very quick work of the Outlaws, asserting their dominance in the 3-3 mirror matchup and taking the map. They lead 2-1 going into Havana, a map that neither team has ever played on LAN.
The Shock came out looking a bit lost on the new map. After only managing to push the payload 68 meters (not even to point A), the Shock were halted by the Outlaws and their proper cycling of ultimates. Houston came out on offense with some great Sombra play and matched the Shock’s distance with relative ease, sending the series to a map 5.
Photo: Robert Paul for Blizzard Entertainment
The Outlaws had not won a map 5 in 2019, with only a 4-9 record all-time on them. The Shock struggled early, having trouble dealing with the DPS-heavy composition of the Outlaws. They ended up dropping Well as a result. On Lighthouse, with an 11-game win streak on the line, the Shock could not manage to fend off the surging Outlaws. In a game that no one expected and went to the absolute limit, the Shock lose to the Outlaws 3-2.
Follow me on Twitter:
@GoopyKnoopy I would love to dialogue with you about anything I’ve written!
You can also shoot me a line on Discord!
(GoopyKnoopy#2205)
Featured Image Courtesy of the Overwatch League
Follow The Game Haus for more sports and esports coverage.
Twitter: TGH Esports
Facebook: The Game Haus
“From Our Haus to Yours”
Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.
