Team Liquid and Cloud9 square off in a battle of the undefeated over in the LCS. Both teams are 5-0 on the penultimate week of the LCS Summer Split regular season. This is a chance for Team Liquid to dispatch their supposed challengers swiftly. Eain “APA” Stearns gets a shot at cementing himself as the dominant Mid laner in the league.
Here is the complete preview for TL vs C9.
Image courtesy of LCS via Flickr.
Team Liquid takes on Cloud9 in a battle of the undefeated
Unfortunately, one of these squads will lose its undefeated streak heading into the final week of the regular season. With the Summer format being a best-of-three single round robin, every series matters, and the winner will all but secure their spot as the first seed heading into the playoffs. This storyline has been building since week one.
But with how the schedules played out, the jury has yet to reach a verdict on Cloud9. While having an impressive 13-1 game record, Cloud9 hasn’t faced FlyQuest and Team Liquid—both squads are poised to represent NA at Worlds 2024. You can only beat what’s in front of you, but to this date, C9 hasn’t been challenged. This changes with Team Liquid.
Nevertheless, Cloud9 has improved under the returning Bok Reapered. The squad looks far more coordinated and is translating their early game leads into decisive victories, a major problem they faced in the Spring Split.
Thanatos is considered an Impact regen, with the young rookie providing the same calming presence as the multi-time LCS and former World Champion. However, he does have a long way to go before he can even begin to walk in the shoes of one of the greatest LCS players of all time, but a win against the legend will go a long way toward his confidence.
In addition, Reapered has reignited the career of Vulcan. He looks like a different player than the one we saw in Spring. He’s decisive and aggressive and back to having impressive macro that elevates his team to another level. Repeared has also put Vulcan back on Engage Supports, where he looked his best the first time Vulcan was on Cloud9.
Do Liquid and APA have a point to prove?
Image courtesy of LCS via Flickr.
While transitive property is hardly ever the solution, the LEC Summer Finals embarrassment likely cements Team Liquid as the best team in the West right now. This means they have a status to maintain heading into the final weeks of the Summer Split before Worlds. TL APA may also have a point to prove, depending on who you ask.
Jojopyun is the prodigal son of North America and was the most significant pickup of the LCS off-season by far. For APA, many were surprised TL opted to retain him. Coming into Week 6, the conversation needs to be changed. APA has evolved into the best Mid laner in the LCS, even if many would still pick Jojopyun over him.
The stylish choice is not always the best one. Jojopyun has a higher ceiling, but he’s been hit or miss for Cloud9. The C9 Mid still possesses the best laning stats in the league, but his output during the latter stages of the game is to be desired.
Jojo and TL APA are friends, with constant banter between the two off the rift. Jojopyun was the original trash talker, but APA has taken that mantle and ran with it. The words typed in this series will be a sight for everyone to see. On the performance side, if APA puts in another dominant performance against Jojoypun, no one can question whether he’s the best Mid Laner in the league. Some could chalk jojo’s performance in the Spring Playoffs against APA to a dysfunctional team. He’ll have no excuses if he convincingly loses to APA this time.
LCS fans can tune into Team Liquid taking on Cloud9 on Sunday, August 4, 1 PM PT.
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